Standing at the confluence of two canals in Cannaregio, Venice’s northernmost sestiere, Orient Express Venezia sits in one of the city’s quieter corners. This walkable neighbourhood of butchers, bakers and cosy local bars feels like Venice from half a century ago, a world away from the crowds of San Marco. Yet it’s only a short boat ride from Santa Lucia station, Piazza San Marco and the Grand Canal. Guests can slip in from Strada Nova to the courtyard or through a discreet doorway into the secret garden, but arriving by boat via the 15th-century Gothic gate on the canal sets the tone for your stay.
Each of the 47 rooms and suites feels individual, from 30-square-metre superior rooms to expansive signature suites. Interiors blend Orient Express elegance with Venetian Renaissance detail, with Art Deco lines, Murano glass, marble bathrooms, and tall windows overlooking the canal or garden. Beds are dressed in crisp Rivolta Carmignani linens, as on the original trains. For a sense of occasion, choose one of the signature suites on the piano nobile or first floor, where 19th-century frescoes, sculpted ceilings and marble fireplaces offer the feel of a private palace.
Dining is overseen by three-Michelin-starred chef Heinz Beck. La Casati offers relaxed, all-day dining that spills into the garden on fine days, while the 20-seat Heinz Beck Venezia focuses on tasting menus and refined Venetian plates. The Wagon Bar serves cocktails, cicchetti and aperitifs in an Art Deco setting that nods to the original Orient Express bar car.
Between sightseeing, slow down with a treatment in the spa, linger over a spritz in the garden or claim a quiet corner in one of the salons. The original ballroom provides a spectacular backdrop for special events.
