Review: St. Regis Venice, Italy

It's nice to see a property actually comply with Bonvoy elite benefits, including breakfast. Sure a refreshing change from properties in North America. While the St. Regis looks nice, the lobby is just so bland and generic. It could be the lobby of a St. Regis in Hong Kong, Singapore, New York -- wherever. Insert city of hotel here. Generic upscale/contemporary chic decor. I expected something a little more old-school Venetian or Belle Epoque-era.

I completely agree with everything in your review. I stayed here September 2021 and had the most amazing time. It currently ranks as my all time favourite Bonvoy hotel (although I will be at the Bodrum EDITION this summer so we'll have to see how that ranks). I went during La Biennale (The Venice Film Festival) so occupancies around all the luxury hotels in the city were very high if not full at that time. I split my 2 night stay as 2 individual reward bookings so I could play my chances with Suite Night Awards as I had noticed more rooms available on 1 night compared to the other. One of them ended up clearing to a Grand Canal Suite with the other on the busier day not. On another note, Grand Canal Suites don't appear to be an option anymore - it looks like SNAs caps out at a St. Regis Suite now although you can still apply them to Luxury Grand Canal View Rooms if you're willing to sacrifice space for the view. I didn't mind switching rooms mid-stay so I was fine with just one night clearing, however on the night before, I noticed a Grand Canal View Terrace Suite was showing as bookable for the 2 night duration so I tried my luck and asked them if they would be able to uppgrade me there instead so I wouldn't have to swap rooms mid-stay. They said the usual "we'll do our best to upgrade you to the best room available" speech but the morning of, I noticed they had swapped my room for both nights which was a pleasent surprise considering how busy they were.

The entire atmosphere of the rooms and hotel is incredible and definitley more my taste than the old-school Ventian style of Gritti or Danieli so that's a big reason why I chose it in the first place. The staff and level of service were just as amazing as well and were incredibly helpful with everything throughout the stay including the Butler service. One thing I've noticed is they appeared to switch their bathroom amenities in their suites to Aqua di Parma rather than the regular St. Regis Laboratoire Remède - same thing they do at the St. Regis Rome. I loved the scent of the Aqua di Parma products from my stay in Rome so a welcomed switch for me.

I was probably one of those people who wouldn't think of going back to Venice more than once (or maybe once every while like what you did) but I would also come back here in a heartbeat with the impression it left on me.

I actually felt the opposite. The public areas of the hotel seemed so much more thought out. The photos of the rooms were really disappointing to me. It seemed so non-descript and sterile, with lots of empty space. Something struck me as off; the suite almost looked like an office cubicle that had been walled off.

On another note @Lucky - why choose the Bonvoy properties in Venice versus some of the World of Hyatt properties there? If I remember correctly there are at least 3?

Great report.
One question, does the Thought leader Gary (VFTW) ever do travel reports?
I see stories about AA etc but don't we just only care about actual travel?

I have stayed in this hotel pre-rebranding and renovation (Westin), and I actually believe the hotel lost quite its charm with this rebranding. Although some areas are nicely upgraded, others feel sterile such as the room (especially for the rates that are being asked for right now). We payed around 220 euro's a night for the Westin in 2016.

Furthermore, the fitness studio was very beautiful before the renovation with marble tiles and walls. Now it is just plain dark wood. In my opinion quite a downgrade.

Charging 3000 euros, during a spring shoulder season, for a non distinct suite facing a courtyard is utterly insane. For 1/3 the nightly price you can rent a palatial multibedroom house with views of San Marco, to say nothing of other hotels in the city.

Also, the lobby looks like it could be in Kansas City. What were they thinking?

Lucky, did you request a late check out, and if do did the hotel honor it?

I’m really enjoying my ambassador status this year, be I do find many high end properties try to wiggle out on providing that benefit.

We had the opposite experience. I found it disappointing in many aspects, my initial room, service, food. I booked a room one up from standard and it was truly awful. Top floor means low ceilings, tiny windows, and tiny room. Told them I was checking out and they moved me up a category to a larger room (not a suite) on a floor with taller ceilings. I was truly prepared to leave and move to the JW as I don't like throwing a hissy fit to get a better room so I give them props for moving me.

I asked the concierge the best way to get to Murano and they graciously offered to get me a water taxi. Turns out it was a "scam" taxi that drops you at a glass studio and they shuffle you into a demo/sales pitch. Not cool. I never asked for a glass tour and would have been happy to get off where the water buses drop rather than be treated like a dimwitted tourist. Shame on St Regis.

3200$ for a courtyard view suite. OK.

Compared to the room price the restaurant prices are a bargain. At least the menu looks legit italian with many local touches.

I am intrigued by the obsession to avocado as a health food given that its the fruit with the highest calorie count.

Would only qualify your comment with lobby at St Regis Singapore is considerably nicer in terms light and ceiling height. Sorry, these types of reviews just don't speak to me. The actual room is unremarkable. The point of being in Venice is the city and not the room. Spend 1/3 the price at a middling local hotel and blow the difference at the St Regis bar. You'll make more friends and better stories.

I hope no one stays here using cash…. As base rate at Aman Venice is 1150 euros. The public spaces at Aman Venice is spectacular to say the least not to mention service level.

Both the suite and public space at this St Regis are nicely done… sort of with exception of the wall in this particular suite… feels a bit empty. But I digress. Unfortunately there is no sense of place. I feel like I could easily be in HK or Bangkok.

Factoid: One of the scenes in The Talented Mr Ripley was shot in Venice. One particular was shot at the bar at Hotel Regina.

What kind of lunch do they serve and can non-guests pay to eat there? Enjoyed the review.

@ Lucky - why is the name on the welcome card blocked out? From memory, you never edit the name on those pictures.

I agree. You don't visit Venice to pay that kind of money for a courtyard view.

In Venice do go to local restaurants off the main thoroughfares. Highly recommend is Osteria alle Testiere. http://www.osterialletestiere.it/

Lol look at the quality of the build out. The Terrazzo floor, etc. LA or NYC sure… but not Kansas City.

THIS IS THE KIND OF REVIEW WE WANT!!!!!!

Looks like a great stay. St. Regis always executes so well. I really hope Bonvoy doesn't go full Hilton and stays at places like this won't be higher than sky high using points.

I wanted to make a comment about the "only way" to reach the St Regis. I'm wondering whether they have a private boat service between the hotel and at least Santa Lucia (the train station). OTOH looking at a map of Venice, the St Regis is at the distant opposite end of the Grand Canal.

As Ben said in his article, the welcome card had another guest's name on it, so I presume out of courtesy and privacy, he purposely blocked it out.

Good review as always (the best in the biz) but just not my type of city or hotel. I don't know, maybe I'm weird, but I don't find the idea of having to take a water taxi as a lot of fun after a redeye from the US.

Take a look at all the public space photos -would anybody have any idea the hotel is even in Italy, let alone Venice? The problem isn't the lack of luxury finishes - the problem is that it is completely incomparable to places like the Aman which, incredibly, are charging less.

Usually 2 a year, almost never about a hotel.

Typically lacking detail.

That's interetsing, I'm booked there on Friday evening. Drinks at the Bauer rooftop bar first.

Thank you for your very informative review.

Mandatory 24h empty period between stays is jacking up rates for sure

Yes. You are weird. It’s called culture. Venice is so rich in history and culture. The vaporetto ride from airport is great and unique

We have 5 nights here the end of May! Thank you Bonvoy points. Cannot wait to stay after reading your review

For the record, the water transport service between the airport and Venice is the ALILAGUNA. The Vaporetto is the local ferry service up and down the Grand Canal.

Hah--so funny that the Ohh--la-la crowd is turning on ben He's always been that. You want a real review--don't look here. You want something useful on how to max points. look here.Ben is a snob..sorry. no issue with it--but yeah

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Ben really loves using the phrase "for context."

I’m sorry….I find the St. Regis really sterile and unattractive (except for the outdoor spaces)…..SO many nicer places to stay! Sorry!
This looks like an airport hotel to me.

"we were treated to a magical sunset. AMAZING."

Amazing indeed if you were there for an early breakfast...

Have to agree with BobbyJ. The Euros being asked for the suite Eu 3,300 are way out for something that is exceptionally poorly furnished , the style of furniture is circa 1970,s and cheap and sparingly used. The Bathroom is cluttered for the space again cheap fit out by todays standard. FYI we stayed in this Hotel in its previous life as the Europe and Regina and it was infinitely better.

Great post. Planning a trip with my wife in July , st Regis over the gritti?
Thanks we are a young couple

Most of this looks beautiful, but the suite itself feels very “blah.”

Do all rooms receive butler service here, or just suites?

If I'm in Venice, I'm at Aman.

This hotel looks fine. It's just not where I want to be.

I would say it honestly really comes down to what style you prefer. I personally prefer the more modern look and feel of the St. Regis as someone who's also young, although some people really enjoy the Venetian style of Gritti more.

Just Suites at this location

I've stayed (and have stayed in St Regis hotels all over the world) and this is one of the nicer one. It's a gorgeous hotel. Not a downgrade at all.

Lucky enough to stay here (I was concerned after a negative TPG review) and agree it's a really well done hotel. They put the money in to even the smallest details. Terrace was a highlight for us as well. Excited to come back.

@Reyyan, I totally agree! Stayed there in 2017 under the Westin brand, paid ~250EUR in June/July. THe property had a well maintained great old world luxury charm to it. This looks like a complete whitewashing of all the character of the property. I'll be skipping it especially at that price!

Nice review. One thing I would like to comment. You were in Italy and you ate food in a hotel? Are you serious? Just imagine pallet of culinary offer you have in Venice. When we are in Italy there is no way we are eating food in a hotel.
A few years ago we were in Puglia. We have visited one of many Agroturismo. Food was superb but our final bill for 4 person was less than you paid for one person.
My advice for you Ben is: When in Italy go and eat food in a restaurant which is not located in a hotel. It will be cheaper and better.
Personally I prefer to eat where locals do. This is how you enjoy a country.

Your photograph of the orange sun rising over Bacino San Marco is exquisite!

I preferred this hotel's warmer-feeling interior when it was the Europa & Regina. The current moderne furnishings don't appeal to me. That terrace however, is marvelous.

I am intrigued by the obsession of the focus on one picture of a breakfast dish in a multi-photo and detailed review.

He reviews hotels professionally ... ??? This is his job?? cringe comment

Just masking/vaxxing/immigration stories to wind up the white nationalists and anti-vaxxing misinformation spreaders that "flourish" in the comments there

I just stayed here for a few days end of September, 2022, tagging on a weekend to a work trip so I could catch the Biennale - a truly stunning hotel with a magnificent location, and as the author mentions, surprisingly exceptional food. I forgot to take advantage of the coffee service - one of my favourite things about St. Regis! But I enjoyed a beautiful daily breakfast with that unbeatable view and had a meal either at Gio's or in the bar (which serves a limited but excellent menu) every day of my stay. The barmen were extra nice to me one night when I came back from the Opera starving and had the kitchen make their famous pasta 3 pomodori from scratch and served me leisurely at 11pm even though they were already closing down for the night. Will definitely stay here next time I am in Venice (if I can swing it on points even better!!).

Not to mention, Venice isn’t particularly known for its food. And full of tourist traps since hardly any Venetians live there anymore

All the luxury hotel prices are insane now. He mentioned it at the beginning of the review. I checked prices here last week and it was $1700/night for the basic, next week. Went back in and it was $800 and I grabbed it. Ludicrous but all the others were more.

Except when we stayed there when it was the Europa and Regina the room they gave us smelled like sewage. So, no. On the plus side we complained, and they gave us a canal-front suite with a massive patio which would be completely unaffordable now. And it did smell slightly less. I’ll take the reno.

Can’t wait to see what Rosewood does with the Bauer Palazzo, which was my preferred hotel in Venice due to price/location/rooftop.

Just stayed at this property in Mid May 2023 and would not return. Too many issues to mention here but the food, service, and rooms were not up to the standard of other St. Regis hotels which we stayed.

Would not recommend. Very nice renovation but nothing special.