Orient Express Venezia opens its doors

Orient Express Venezia has opened its doors within Palazzo Donà Giovannelli, marking the group’s second hotel in Venice.

Owned by Arsenale Group, the 15th-century palazzo has been reimagined as a hotel by architect and interior designer Aline Asmar d’Amman. Her aesthetic vision unveils the Palazzo through a refined interplay of contrasts and memories, intentional architecture and poetic precision: bold gestures of interior architectural grafting are balanced with infinitely sophisticated details, painted frescoes meet sculptural forms, historical details infinitely reflect into tinted mirrored surfaces. An array of precious natural stones, curated and highly crafted, merge into the Palazzo’s architecture.

“I imagined the transformation of Orient Express Venezia at Palazzo Donà Giovannelli as a theatrical sequence of wonders, a tribute to the whimsical mysteries of Venice and the spectacular marvels of the 15th architectural jewel, unearthed and restored,” comments Aline Asmar D’Amman. “In this eight- year creative transformative journey, the walls speak, revealing layers of enchantment magnified by the dialogue with contemporary creation. Embracing the duality of legacy and reinvention, I find inspiration in the unique position of Venice as a gateway between East and West, amplified by its exceptional tapestry of artistry and modern vitality.”

The “Lost Colours” or “Colori Persi” of Venice softly re-emerge, woven into textures and curtains, furnishings and finishes, transforming the Piano Nobile’s historical salons into a succession of inhabited living canvases, punctuated by a bold intervention of vast cabinets. Venetian craftsmanship converses with contemporary art and works by masters of their time, while embossed leathers and moiré silks dress up the walls in echo to the ever-shifting dialogue of light and shadow dancing across the canals. Patinated walls, carved surfaces and artisanal finishes recall the passage of time, their textures lending a sense of modern, ageless allure.

The Palazzo’s lobby, il Corte del Conte, has been transformed from an open mineral cortile into a grand living room, layered with sculpted boiserie, velvet and spectacular bespoke Murano chandeliers.

Hidden at the heart of the palazzo is a secret garden with tents, a luxuriant fountain and antique gates, lit by delicate Venetian lanterns diffusing their cinematic warm glow. Calle Meraviglia connects the garden to the lobby, hosting a rotating selection of contemporary works aligned with Venice’s cultural calendar and reinforcing the hotel’s role as a living cultural salon.

Every path and each floor lead to countless discoveries and encounters with marvels of the past, in magnetic dialogue with creative nowness. The result is a world of theatrical elegance where centuries of Venetian creativity meet the timeless codes of Orient Express.

Upstairs, the 47 rooms, suites and residences are gently shaped by the architectural layers of centuries past with restored murals, sculptural ceilings and views opening onto gardens and canals. The six Signature Suites reveal the hotel’s hidden treasures: 19th-century frescoes dedicated to the goddess Minerva and mythical flying figures that evoke the grandeur of a bygone era; gilded salons animated by dancing cherubs; monumental marble fireplaces with sculptural shells, all flanked with tall windows opening onto some of the most coveted views over Venice’s canals.

Overseen by three-Michelin-starred Chef Heinz Beck, the hotel’s culinary programme comprises Heinz Beck Venezia, an intimate fine-dining concept within the historic orangerie; all-day dining restaurant La Casati; and The Wagon Bar, an Art Deco-inspired bar that pays homage to the legendary lounge cars of the original Orient Express trains.

Meanwhile on the first floor, Salone Vittoria, is an events space that embodies the splendour and historical memory of Princess Vittoria Farnese’s wedding, preserving centuries of ceremonial glamour.

“With Orient Express Venezia, we open a new chapter in the legacy of our brand, one that celebrates Venice as a global capital of culture, beauty and imagination,” says Gilda Perez-Alvarado, CEO Orient Express. “Palazzo Donà Giovannelli has been revived with extraordinary craftsmanship and deep respect for its six centuries of history, becoming a place where the art of travel meets the soul of the city. This hotel embodies the essence of Orient Express: a constellation of rare experiences, each rooted in heritage yet reimagined for a new generation of discerning travellers. Venice now stands as a luminous cornerstone of our vision, bridging past and future, and inviting guests into a world of timeless elegance and discovery.”

“With the refurbishment of the iconic Palazzo Donà Giovannelli we continue our strategy of investing in unique heritage assets and unlocking their long-term value through thoughtful redevelopment,” adds Paolo Barletta, CEO Arsenale Group. “The new Orient Express Venezia at Palazzo Donà Giovannelli represents a meaningful step in the development of a distinctive portfolio that brings together iconic locations and a contemporary approach to ultra-luxury. The Palazzo embodies a unique dialogue between history and innovation, where centuries of Venetian culture are carefully reinterpreted through a modern lens. Venice remains one of the most strategic destinations in international travel, and this project, together with hotel Orient Express La Minerva in Rome and La Dolce Vita Orient Express trains, reflects our commitment to strengthening Italy’s position at the forefront of global luxury experiences, through long-term investment in assets of enduring cultural and economic value.”