In the heart of Venice, amid the layers of its history and the timeless allure of its palazzos, Orient Express Venezia unveils its new SPA: a space devoted to the regeneration of body and mind, conceived as a place of tranquillity and discovery, where wellbeing becomes an integral part of the guest experience.
Housed within a historic palazzo, the SPA emerges from a dialogue between architecture, memory, and contemporary sensibility. The project interprets the identity of Venice, a city suspended between East and West for centuries, through a sensory journey in which materials, atmospheres and ritual gestures evoke ancient trade routes, bathing cultures and the traditions of luxury hospitality.
ALINE ASMAR D’AMMAN: DESIGN AS A DIALOGUE WITH HISTORY
The architectural and interior design project bears the signature of Aline Asmar d’Amman, renowned for her ability to bring historical heritage into conversation with a contemporary design language. Her vision is guided by one fundamental principle: to enhance the identity of a place without overshadowing its history. The project seeks to strike a balance between memory and transformation, between the material richness of historic interiors and a contemporary aesthetic sensibility. Light, surfaces, proportions, and the selection of materials all contribute to creating an atmosphere that is intimate, serene, and enveloping, far removed from the conventional concept of a SPA and closer to that of a private retreat.
Aline Asmar d’Amman’s approach gives the palazzo a new purpose while respecting its architectural and cultural significance. Wellbeing is not conceived as an element foreign to the building, but rather as a natural evolution of its history: an experience in which refinement is expressed through harmony, meticulous attention to detail and the ability to evoke emotion.
THE RASUL: AN ANCIENT RITUAL OF STEAM, CLAY, AND WATER
Among the signature experiences of the new SPA, the Rasul takes centre stage. An ancient purification ritual rooted in North African and Middle Eastern traditions, it feels particularly at home in Venice, a historic crossroads of cultures, trade, and Eastern influences.
Combining moist heat, steam and the application of cosmetic clays or muds, the Rasul is a deeply sensory body-care ceremony. The warmth encourages relaxation, while mineral-rich clays help exfoliate and purify the skin, leaving it softer and smoother.
As steam gradually envelops the body, the combination of warmth, natural textures and a soothing atmosphere creates a moment of deep relaxation, inviting guests to slow down and reconnect with their senses and body.
At Orient Express Venezia, this ancient ritual is reinterpreted through a contemporary lens, reflecting the city's cosmopolitan heritage. Inspired by historic bathing traditions and the cultural exchanges of the Eastern trade routes, the Rasul becomes a journey through cultures and sensations, where the traditions of the past meet the art of modern hospitality.
FURTUNA SKIN: THE POWER OF SICILIAN NATURE MEETS THE SCIENCE OF SKINCARE
The wellbeing experience continues with a selection of face and body treatments featuring Furtuna Skin, a luxury skincare brand founded in Sicily that combines scientific research, biodiversity, and the power of natural ingredients.
At the heart of the brand is La Furtuna, a Sicilian agricultural estate committed to regenerative farming, where olive trees and wild herbs provide precious ingredients for skincare. Botanical extracts and olive oil feature prominently in formulations that blend Mediterranean traditions with cosmetic innovation. Rooted in a philosophy that connects beauty, nature and environmental responsibility, Furtuna Skin embraces a vision of conscious luxury, prioritising carefully sourced ingredients, biodiversity, and sustainable production.
At the SPA of Orient Express Venezia, personalised treatments combine expert techniques, rich textures, and aromatic notes. Facial rituals enhance the skin's radiance and softness, while body treatments provide nourishment and relaxation, bringing together authenticity, scientific research, and the art of wellbeing.
CHARME D’ORIENT: THE ART OF MASSAGE AND EASTERN WELLBEING TRADITIONS
Completing the SPA offering, Charme d’Orient invites guests to discover beauty rituals and wellbeing traditions inspired by the Middle East and the Mediterranean. Its sensory philosophy draws on the ancient culture of the hammam, combining evocative ingredients, fragrances, and the art of touch.
Specially selected oils and professional formulations complement the therapist's techniques, creating fluid, personalised massages that help release tension and restore a sense of balance. Textures, aromas, and expert gestures come together to provide a deeply relaxing experience tailored to individual needs. Charme d’Orient naturally reflects the spirit of Venice, a city shaped by centuries of cultural exchange and its enduring connection with the East, bringing an authentic dimension of Eastern wellbeing to the SPA.
TREATMENTS, RITUALS AND FITNESS: A COMPLETE WELLBEING JOURNEY
The new SPA at Orient Express Venezia offers a holistic approach to wellbeing, bringing together facial and body treatments, signature rituals, Rasul experiences and dedicated fitness facilities. Overlooking the Rio di Noale canal, the gym connects guests with the Venetian landscape, while Technogym ARTIS equipment combines technology, ergonomics, and comfort in an elegant, light-filled setting.
From physical activity to restorative treatments, the experience embraces a vision of luxury centred on personal wellbeing, individual attention, and the pleasure of taking time for oneself.
In the heart of Venice’s Cannaregio, the only district where the soul of La Serenissima remains untouched, Orient Express Venezia occupies a historic 15th-century Palazzo built in 1436. Thoughtfully restored, it offers 47 keys in an intimate and exclusive atmosphere, along with gourmet dining and event spaces designed for private gatherings and celebrations - a true invitation to experience the art of travel, shaped by Venetian spirit and grace. Follow the journey at @orientexpress.venezia or visit www.orient-express.com.
