Aman Venice occupies a 16th-century palazzo, meticulously restored to showcase its original Baroque and Renaissance elements. Only 24 individually decorated rooms and suites fill the residence, making this a suitable fit for Aman's storied service. Canal views abound here, thanks to the hotel's unrivaled location: directly on the Grand Canal in the heart of the city and steps from the city's top sights, Rialto Bridge and Piazza San Marco included.

Across the water, on the tip of Giudecca Island, sits the iconic Belmond Hotel Cipriani. Set within lush gardens, this secluded escape features an Olympic-sized swimming pool and a private boat service to St. Mark's Square. The exclusive island location, which hosts MICHELIN-starred Oro Restaurant, beckons to privacy-seeking VIPs in particular.

Nolinski Venezia is set on the Calle Larga XXII Marzo, in a stately building that once housed the city’s Chamber of Commerce, with high-end retailers like Ferragamo and Armani for neighbors. Its interiors are a contemporary update of the classic local style, with more than a hint of a Parisian accent — rich textures, saturated colors, Art Deco lines and plenty of Venetian glass.

Once home to the Doge of the same name, the Gritti palace was constructed in 1475 on the banks of the Grand Canal itself. The opulence here cannot be overstated — interiors feature Murano glass chandeliers and Venetian tapestries, while the Redentore Suite offers a sweeping private rooftop terrace. Suite amenities range from complimentary minibar service to champagne upon arrival, all situated a five-minute walk from St. Mark's Square.

Il Palazzo Experimental takes a contemporary approach to hospitality, removed from tourist crowds yet attracting both visitors and locals to its trendy cocktail bar and lively, creative atmosphere. The design merges Art Deco with Venetian flair — perfectly suited to its location in an artistic quarter filled with galleries and nightlife haunts.

Even by Venetian standards, the Hotel Metropole is steeped in history — this was once an orphanage where Vivaldi gave music lessons. More recently, though still decades ago, it was acquired by the Beggiato family, and remains a family-owned and -operated hotel, decorated with the owners’ collections of art and antiques.

A small hotel, comprising just 53 rooms and suites, the Londra Palace is distinctive and stylish: the downstairs is crisp and contemporary, the lobby and salons sporting the sort of restrained elegance that is becoming the modern international style, in this case designed by the architect responsible for Versace’s retail spaces. Upstairs the guest rooms are decorated in the Biedermeier style, full of 19th century furnishings, a style that looks quite at home in this most classic of cities.

Corte di Gabriela offers an intimate retreat with sustainable luxury touches. Nestled on a quiet street in the bustling San Marco district, guests can escape the crowds in this 11-room boutique. The family-run property provides homemade breakfast each morning in a private courtyard as well as such intriguing experiences as Venetian mask making classes.

The touristy side of Venice is much commented on, but it’s long forgotten once you’re over the threshold of the Violino d’Oro, a family-owned and -operated boutique hotel mere minutes from the Piazza San Marco. Here the family in question is an impeccably tasteful one, responsible for, among others, Florence’s Grand Hotel Minerva; the atmosphere within the Violino d’Oro is suitably glamorous and eclectic, and feels almost residential in its pervasive sense of calm.

The greatest luxury a Venetian hotel can provide is a proper refuge from the perennially busy street life, and Ca’ di Dio, set in the Arsenale district where the Biennale takes place, does just that. It’s a classic house overlooking the lagoon, a patchwork that dates back many centuries, but it’s been thoroughly updated to modern luxury-hotel standards with an emphasis on high-end contemporary Italian design — and, as ever, it surrounds a trio of blissfully tranquil courtyards.

Palazzo Venart Luxury Hotel is a short walk from the Rialto Bridge, tucked away in the heart of Sestiere Santa Croce. The property is surrounded by gardens and adorned with velvet drapes and lavish frescoes. Additionally, GLAM, the hotel's two MICHELIN-starred restaurant, provides an elevated culinary experience in a charming orangery.