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. A new icon in the brand’s constellation of ultra-luxury travel experiences, the hotel 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.
A MASTERPIECE RESTORED WITH DEVOTION AND WONDER
Aline Asmar d’Amman’s 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 exquisite precious natural stones, meticulously curated and highly crafted, merge into the Palazzo’s architectural body, weaving moments of sensual wonderment in the most intimate spaces.
The “Lost Colors” 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 of wonder. Venetian craftsmanship converses with contemporary art and works by masters of their time, while embossed leathers and moiré silks dress the walls, echoing 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 lend a sense of modern, ageless allure.
One of the most unexpected revelations of this transformation is the Palazzo’s lobby, il Corte del Conte, once an open mineral cortile, elevated intoa grand living room, layered with sculpted boiserie, velvet lushness and spectacular bespoke Murano chandeliers, balancing the soul of a home with a dramatic sense of theater.
The Palazzo’s secret garden, a secluded sanctuary hidden at its heart, surprises and delights with its whimsical corners, sophisticated tents,luxuriant fountain and antique gates, lit by delicate Venetian lanterns diffusing their cinematic warm glow. Long concealed behind centuries old walls, the garden is transformed into an almost otherworldly space where nature, architecture, and silence meet. Calle Meraviglia, a realm of discoveries, 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 dialog with creative nowness. The result is a world of theatrical elegance where centuries of Venetian creativity meet the timeless codes of Orient Express.
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
Salone Vittoria, located at the first noble floor of the hotel, embodies the splendor and historical memory of a venue once dedicated to the wedding of Princess Vittoria Farnese. A treasure trove of extraordinary architectural and artistic beauty, it preserves centuries of elegance and ceremonial glamour, re-imagined to host the most solemn moments in the heart of Venice.
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.
“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. 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 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.” Gilda Perez-Alvarado, CEO Orient Express.
“With the refurbishment of the iconic Palazzo Donà Giovannelli we continue our strategy of investing in unique heritage assets and unlockingtheir long-term value through thoughtful redevelopment. 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 modernlens. 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 luxuryexperiences, through long-term investment in assets of enduring cultural and economic value.” Paolo Barletta, CEO Arsenale Group.
“I am truly proud to unveil the opening of Orient Express Venezia, a destination where timeless elegance meets contemporary luxury. This magnificent project is not only a milestone, but a heartfelt tribute to Venice’s unique heritage and spirit of hospitality. I look forward to personally welcoming guests from around the world to share in an experience that is both authentic and unforgettable.” Bartolomeo Fusco, General Manager Orient Express Venezia.
“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. In this eight-year creative transformative journey, the walls speak, revealing layers of enchantment magnified by the dialog with contemporary creation. Embracing theduality 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.” Aline Asmar D’Amman, Architect & Interior Designer.
