Orient Express

Orient Express Venezia opened in 2026 in Palazzo Donà Giovannelli, a 15th-century architectural jewel unused as a hotel for nearly six centuries. Restored over eight years by architect and interior designer Aline Asmar d’Amman, the palazzo has been returned to life with deep respect for its history while introducing a refined contemporary elegance – painted frescoes meeting sculptural forms, embossed leathers and moiré silks lining the walls, and the “lost colours” of Venice woven into furnishings and finishes throughout.

The hotel’s 47 rooms, suites, and residences each reflect the layered architectural history of the building, with restored murals, sculptural ceilings, and views onto gardens and canals. The former open courtyard, il Corte del Conte, has been transformed into a grand lobby draped in velvet and lit by bespoke Murano chandeliers, while a secret garden hidden at the palazzo’s heart offers a secluded retreat lit by Venetian lanterns.

The culinary programme is anchored by three-Michelin-starred Chef Heinz Beck, whose fine dining concept unfolds in the historic orangerie. La Casati, the all-day restaurant, opens onto the private garden, while the Art Deco-inspired Wagon Bar pays homage to the legendary lounge cars of the original Orient Express trains.