The St. Regis Venice

The hotel occupies a group of historic palazzos on the Grand Canal at the mouth of the canal, where it meets the lagoon. A hotel has stood here for well over a century, and Claude Monet painted the view from its windows. The interiors are modern, with contemporary art throughout, and many of the rooms and suites face the canal, some with private terraces.

Gio's is the main restaurant, with a terrace on the canal, and the St. Regis Bar opens onto a waterside garden that is rare in this part of the city. The Arts Bar serves cocktails inspired by works of art. From the door you can walk to Piazza San Marco, Teatro La Fenice and the Accademia, and water taxis and the vaporetto stop close by for Murano, Burano and the Lido.

The St. Regis suits couples and families who want a central, polished base with canal views. The style is modern rather than traditional Venetian, so travelers looking for period rooms may prefer an older palazzo hotel. San Marco is the busiest part of Venice in the middle of the day, and canal-view rooms are worth booking early.