Orient Express Palazzo Donà Giovannelli Now Taking Bookings for April 2026 Opening in Venice
by Laura Ratliff
Photo: Courtesy of Orient Express
With reservations now open for the Orient Express Palazzo Donà Giovannelli, there’s a rare new asset to consider in Venice: a meticulously restored 15th-century palazzo that blends high design with layered historical resonance. Opening in April 2026, the hotel marks the brand’s second location in Italy, following La Minerva in Rome, and is part of a broader expansion that includes the La Dolce Vita luxury train and forthcoming sailing yachts.
Located in the Cannaregio district—one of Venice’s most authentic and least-touristed neighborhoods—the property sits in a pivotal site along the original Orient Express route to Constantinople. Architect Filippo Calendario, known for the Doge’s Palace, built the structure in 1436; today, its Neogothic façade and interiors have been reimagined by architect Aline Asmar d’Amman, whose work preserves the building’s historical layers while incorporating contemporary elegance.
The hotel will offer 47 accommodations, including six Signature Suites on the piano nobile and two residential-style Orient Express Apartments, all with canal views and heritage details. Rates range from €1,320 for a superior room to €20,000 for top-tier suites, breakfast and VAT included.
Advisors should note three key selling points. First, arrival options are elevated, with guests entering by private boat through a 15th-century portal or on foot through Santa Fosca’s garden, each offering a discrete, cinematic welcome. Second, public spaces, which include the baroque Vittoria Ballroom and lapis-hued Library of Cultures, provide opportunities for exclusive event bookings or high-end buyouts. Finally, the hotel’s fine dining restaurant, courtyard café, and rail-inspired Wagon Bar offer culinary experiences well suited to clients seeking both intimacy and narrative-rich experiences.
For clients already familiar with Venice’s marquee hotels, Palazzo Donà Giovannelli offers a fresh angle in the form of a noble residence that feels more like a private cultural institution than a traditional luxury hotel. Its arrival adds further momentum to Orient Express’s evolution under Accor and LVMH, positioning the brand beyond just a steward of rail heritage.
