History Enchanting elegance
The Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido Resort was born from a desire to create the most luxurious hotel in the world. Visionary entrepreneur Nicolò Spada and renowned architect Giovanni Sardi transformed the Venice Lido into a must-stay destination for rich and famous personalities. Reassembling an opulent Venetian palace, the hotel features many historical influences, including elaborate Moorish designs and stunning domes and skylights.
This extraordinary creation opened to great acclaim on 21st July 1908, with a lavish ocean-front party for over 3,000 guests. It rapidly became a haven for the elite, film stars and royalty. Notable guests include Winston Churchill, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Marlene Dietrich, Barbara Hutton, John Steinbeck, Ingrid Bergman and the Aga Khan.
In 1932, Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido Resort welcomed the first ever Venice Film Festival. Now the official venue of this world-famous event, in recent years it has hosted red-carpet stars such as Johnny Depp, George Clooney and Sandra Bullock.
Over a century since its glorious opening, this 5-star destination remains an idyllic retreat for those seeking hospitality, luxury and glamour rarely seen since the Golden Age. Hotel Excelsior offers a unique combination of elegance, beach location and proximity to Venice, with stylish rooms and suites and exceptional facilities and event spaces. It enchants thousands of visitors every season, leaving them with truly unforgettable memories.