Orient Express Venezia Reawakens a Venetian Icon

Orient Express Venezia has opened in Venice’s Palazzo Donà Giovannelli, bringing a 15th‑century palazzo back to life as an ultra‑luxury hotel in the quiet, atmospheric Cannaregio district. Once a crossroads on the historic Orient Express route between Paris and Istanbul, the palazzo has been reimagined by architect and interior designer Aline Asmar d’Amman as a refined “theatre of travel” where Venetian history and contemporary design meet.

A Historic Palazzo, Thoughtfully Reborn

Set along the Rio di Noale, Orient Express Venezia occupies a noble residence that has evolved over centuries, including 19th‑century neo‑Gothic work by Giovanni Battista Meduna. The latest transformation preserves this layered architecture while introducing light, contemporary interiors that respect the palazzo’s soul rather than overriding it.

The hotel features 47 rooms, suites and residences, each with its own character—some with restored frescoes, sculpted ceilings, monumental fireplaces and tall windows framing canals or the inner garden. Six Signature Suites (including the Orient Express Suite and Colori Persi Suite) reveal the most elaborate details, from 19th‑century murals to gilded salons animated by cherubs.

Design: Lost Colours And Living Canvases

Aline Asmar d’Amman’s design language focuses on contrast and memory: original frescoes are juxtaposed with sculptural forms, tinted mirrors and carefully inlaid precious stones. The rediscovered “Lost Colors” (Colori Persi) of Venice appear throughout fabrics, curtains and finishes, turning the Piano Nobile’s salons into “inhabited canvases” that feel both historic and modern.

Materials such as embossed leather, moiré silk and patinated plaster echo the play of light on the canals, while curated contemporary artworks sit alongside Venetian craftsmanship, reinforcing the hotel’s role as a cultural salon.

Hidden Spaces: Lobby Salon & Secret Garden

One of the most striking transformations is il Corte del Conte, a former open courtyard now reinvented as the lobby—a grand living room with sculpted boiserie, velvet seating and bespoke Murano chandeliers. It feels like a private home layered with theatrical touches, setting the tone from the moment guests arrive.

At the heart of the palazzo, a secret garden—long hidden behind centuries‑old walls—offers a quiet retreat of fountains, antique gates, elegant tented corners and Venetian lanterns glowing at dusk. A corridor known as Calle Meraviglia connects garden and lobby, displaying rotating contemporary art aligned with Venice’s cultural calendar.

Culinary World By Three-Michelin-Starred Heinz Beck

The entire food and beverage offering at Orient Express Venezia is shaped by Three‑Michelin‑starred Chef Heinz Beck, making it one of Venice’s most anticipated new dining addresses.

• Heinz Beck Venezia – An intimate fine‑dining restaurant in the historic orangerie, reserved for hotel guests and built around a multi‑course, sensorial tasting experience.
• La Casati – An all‑day restaurant inspired by Marchesa Luisa Casati’s avant‑garde spirit, with a rare private garden setting and menus that blend Beck’s philosophy with Venetian influences.
• The Wagon Bar – An Art Deco–style bar paying homage to the lounge cars of original Orient Express trains, with crafted cocktails and a low‑lit, clubby atmosphere.

A New Stage For Venetian Moments

On the first noble floor, Salone Vittoria—once the setting for the wedding of Princess Vittoria Farnese—has been reimagined for private events and celebrations, preserving its architectural drama for a new generation. Guests can arrive directly by boat at the Palazzo’s Gothic water gate, echoing the golden age of travel between East and West.

Beyond the walls, Orient Express Venezia encourages guests to wander Cannaregio’s canals, workshops and bacari, experiencing Venice through a slower, more local lens that complements the hotel’s emphasis on culture and craft.

Summary

Orient Express Venezia brings a 15th‑century palazzo in Cannaregio back to life as a 47‑key ultra‑luxury hotel, blending deep heritage with contemporary design. With its secret garden, theatrical lobby, suites rich in frescoes and craftsmanship, and a full culinary programme led by Chef Heinz Beck, it offers one of Venice’s most compelling new addresses for travellers who value narrative, place and detail over mere opulence. Explore more or reserve at https://www.orient-express.com/en/hotel/europe/italy/venice/orient-express-venezia.