St. Regis Hotel Debuts on Venice’s Grand Canal
by Jessica Montevago /
St. Regis Venice - Gio's Terrace at dusk.
At the mouth of Venice’s Grand Canal, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts opened its latest hotel, The St. Regis Venice, boasting unparalleled vistas of the city’s most celebrated landmarks, including the Santa Maria della Salute Basilica and the Punta della Dogana Museum.
The opening of The St. Regis Venice follows a two-year, full-scale renovation, restoring the grandeur of the former Grand Hotel Britannia, which opened in 1895 – the same year as the inaugural Venice Biennale.
Five “palazzi” make up the hotel – a collection of five Venetian palaces – with Badoer Tiepolo being the oldest palazzo, dating back to the 17th century. By the 19th century, palazzi Tiepolo, Barozzi, and Regina were converted into the Grand Hotel Britannia, more recently known as Hotel Europa & Regina. The Grand Hotel Britannia attracted notable intellectuals and socialites.
The Garden Terrace
Behind the hotel lies Calle XXII Marzo, a street that is home to elite boutiques and contemporary art galleries, and that allows for seamless access to the Grand Teatro La Fenice (the city’s temple to opera). With Piazza San Marco a four-minute walk from the hotel, guests will find Venice’s famed attractions within easy reach.
The St. Regis Venice offers 129 guestrooms and 40 suites, many of which boast private terraces or Juliet balconies overlooking the the property’s luxurious gardens, as well as the Grand Canal.
Suites include a two-bedroom, art-inspired Presidential Suite; and a three-bedroom Penthouse Suite with a wraparound furnished terrace. The five Roof Garden Suites combine garden-inspired interiors with uninterrupted vistas and contemporary touches and furnished terraces. Set against twilight tones, the Venetian Suites showcase crafted details of modern design, while the color palette of the Monet Suites pay homage to the reflection of light across the Grand Canal.
View from the suite
The design of the public spaces pays homage to Carlo Scarpa, one of Venice’s greatest artists and architects. Venetian styling is seen throughout the hotel in tailored fabrics and custom, handcrafted furnishings inspired by the gentle curves of gondolas; the patterns of the Doge’s Palace; the pavements of St. George’s churchyard; and the water flow of the canal.
An eclectic collection of artwork and sculptures will also be curated for the hotel. The St. Regis Venice will host artists from around the world to take residence and create unique pieces inspired by the hotel and its beloved locale. The hotel’s first resident artist, Parisian Olivier Masmonteil, has been commissioned to create original artworks for the Gran Salone and the Monet Suites. The Venetian tradition of glassmaking will also be celebrated through a partnership with Glasstress, inviting world-class artists of various disciplines to collaborate with Murano Maestros (masters) to create one-of-a-kind glass works of art.
Authentic, modern Italian cuisine will be served at Gio’s, the hotel’s signature restaurant anchored by the Grand Canal and the hotel’s private garden, which also connects to the St. Regis Bar and the Arts Bar. Other amenities at The St. Regis Venice include Spa Suites, in partnership with Carita Paris; a secluded Italianate garden; as well as a library, lounge, and ballroom.
The Arts Bar

