Orient Express Venezia opens in a reimagined 15th Century Palazzo
Orient Express unveils Orient Express Venezia at Palazzo Donà Giovannelli, the extraordinary rebirth of the 15th century architectural jewel, owned by Arsenale Group, reimagined by architect and interior designer Aline Asmar d’Amman as a hotel, for the first time in nearly six centuries.
Orient Express Venezia invites guests into a world where Venetian history, contemporary artistry and the legendary spirit of the Orient Express art of travel converge in perfect harmony. Once a celebrated crossroad on the legendary route from Paris to Istanbul, Venice reclaims its role as a theatrical gateway for the Orient Express world of luxury travel.
Nestled in the quiet rhythm of Cannaregio, the Palazzo rises where two canals intertwine along the Rio di Noale, an address of serenity, history,and cinematic beauty. Here, Orient Express introduces a new chapter in its Italian journey, following the opening last year of the hotel Orient Express La Minerva in Rome and La Dolce Vita Orient Express, the luxury train inaugurated in 2025.
Meticulously conceived by Aline Asmar d’Amman, known for her ability to weave heritage architecture with contemporary artistic expression, the Palazzo has been restored with deep respect for its origin, introducing a sense of refined contemporary elegance. Her creative vision shapes the journey in a sequence of wonders, informed by the stories embedded in every architectural detail she unearthed. Embracing the Serenissima’s legendary legacy as a gate between East and West, she choreographs this theatrical journey, where imagination, craftsmanship, and centuries of Venetian culture converge. The hotel features 47 uniquely crafted rooms, suites, and residences, where each space is elevated with intentional interiors and singular atmosphere, reflecting the layered architectural history of the building and the romance of Venetian living.
A THEATRICAL VOYAGE, SET IN MOTION BY ORIENT EXPRESS
Palazzo Donà Giovannelli has long embodied the spirit of Venice as a crossroad of culture and imagination. In the mid-19th century, Count Andrea Giovannelli commissioned architect Giovanni Battista Meduna, celebrated for restoring the neighboring Ca’ d’Oro, to reimagine its interiors withneogothic galore, Baroque accents, and the Palazzo’s iconic octagonal staircase crowned by a celestial vault.
During the Ninth Congress of Italian Scientists in 1847, the Palazzo reopened as a stage for salons, debates, and grand receptions. In these historical spaces, intellect and imagination thrived. Over the years, the Palazzo grew through love and noble alliances, as reflected in the Salone Vittoria, a setting befitting royalty.
Today, Orient Express Venezia rekindles that spirit. As day shifts into night, The Grand Transformation subtly alters the mood, lights soften,candles flicker, and the Palazzo becomes a theatre of shadows, reflections, and whispered intrigue. A handpicked Cast of Characters guides guests through curated experiences, immersing them in a world where every moment is an act in a larger narrative.
LIVING SPACES, CULTURAL ATMOSPHERES
The 47 rooms, suites, and residences reveal the intimate elegance of Venetian life, each space gently shaped by the architectural layers of centuries past. Restored murals, sculptural ceilings, and views opening onto gardens and canals create a rare and immersive sense of place.
History comes alive in the six Signature Suites, each telling a different story: Orient Express Suite, Colori Persi Suite, Del Conte Suite, Teatro Suite, Cherubini Suite and La Minerva Suite.
Exclusive spaces ranging up to 145 sqm reveal the hotel’s most hidden treasures: 19th-century frescoes dedicated to the goddess Minerva andmythical flying figures that evoke the grandeur of a bygone era, gilded salons animated by dancing cherubs, monumental marble fireplaces with mesmerizing sculptural shells, all flanked with tall windows opening onto some of the most coveted views over Venice’s canals. Each suite is a unique experience, where artistic heritage meets contemporary luxury.
THE ART OF DINING
The culinary vision of Orient Express Venezia is anchored by the signature of Three-Michelin starred Chef Heinz Beck, marking one of the most anticipated gastronomic debuts of the year. His creative imprint elevates the entire food & beverage universe of the palazzo.
Heinz Beck Venezia, an intimate gourmet concept by the acclaimed chef, unfolds within the historic orangerie, offering a fine dining and deeply sensorial culinary journey designed exclusively for the hotel. La Casati, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant, channels the theatrical, avant garde spirit of Marchesa Luisa Casati. Featuring a rare privategarden, it becomes a stage where Heinz Beck’s philosophy meets Venetian inspiration in a choreography of flavor, artistry, and spectacle. The Wagon Bar, an Art Deco-inspired bar, pays homage to the legendary lounge cars of the original Orient Express trains, blending crafted mixology with a touch of mystery and nocturnal charm.
A STAGE WHERE EVERY MOMENT AND CELEBRATION BECOME A STORY
Guests may arrive directly by boat through the Gothic water gate, a dramatic and evocative gesture that recalls the timeless romance of travel between East and West and sets the tone for a stay that interlaces heritage, culture, and culinary excellence. Beyond the palazzo’s interiors, guests are invited to experience Venice through the lens of Orient Express, exploring the surrounding streets of Cannaregio, or discovering thecity’s storied craftsmanship and artistic traditions.
This hotel embodies the essence of Orient Express: a constellation of rare experiences, each rooted in heritage yet reimagined for a newgeneration of discerning travelers. Venice now stands as a luminous cornerstone of our vision, bridging past and future, and inviting guests into aworld of timeless elegance and discovery.
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