Hotel Review • Europe • Italy • Venice • San Marco

Baglioni Hotel Luna: Venice’s Oldest and Most Refined Secret

Discover Baglioni Hotel Luna in Venice, the lagoon’s oldest stay featuring private dock arrivals, museum-grade art, and sea-to-table dining at Santo Mare.

Courtesy of Baglioni Hotel Luna

BY RUBY GREGG

Why it works

Hotel Snapshot

If Night at the Museum was your favorite movie and you fantasized about sleeping in a gallery, Baglioni Hotel Luna in Venice is the ultimate dream.

The approach commands attention. Arriving by gondola or water taxi at the private dock sets an ultra-luxurious tone before you even step inside. Dating to 1118 as the lagoon’s oldest stay, the property originally served as a refuge for Knights Templar before becoming the historic Osteria della Luna and officially opening as a hotel in 1574. History buffs, this hotel was made for you.

Design & Character

The interiors were done by Spagnulo & Partners, blending the historic Venetian past with contemporary elements while preserving the vintage furniture pieces that fill the hallways and communal spaces. The original polychrome marble floors and Venetian stuccoes remain intact, and Murano glass chandeliers dazzle alongside 18th-century fireplaces.

The salons and corridors are among the hotel's most magnificent features. Arguably a private gallery, these spaces display 18th-century French paintings, antique mirrors, and Limoges porcelain. The highlight is the Marco Polo Ballroom, framed by 18th-century Venetian Rococo frescoes from the Scuola del Tiepolo depicting an allegory of the Four Seasons, alongside 19th-century canvases by Ermolao Paoletti. Wandering among museum-grade art feels delightfully illicit, like sneaking into a world-class gallery after dark, only with a bed waiting for you.

The Rooms

With 91 rooms and suites, the hotel feels large enough that you won’t necessarily eat breakfast beside the same guests every day, but it never approaches mega-resort scale. Rooms are styled in classic 18th-century Venetian fashion, with Rubelli fabrics, Murano glass chandeliers, antique furnishings, and marble bathrooms providing a touch of modern elegance. Guests can choose among Superior Rooms, Deluxe Rooms, Canal View Rooms, and multi-bedroom setups like the Goldoni Family Suite, which make traveling as a family a breeze.

Top-floor accommodations include the two-level Giorgione Terrace Suite, complete with a traditional wooden rooftop terrace overlooking the canals and city rooftops, as well as the San Giorgio Terrace Suite overlooking the lagoon.

The Food & Drink

You’d be remiss to pass up Santo Mare, curated by Reitano Food, on the hotel's main floor. The restaurant takes sea-to-table literally: choosing a main course involves your server presenting fresh catches directly at the table from the entrance display for a whole new level of freshness.

I think of the rockfish ceviche and spaghetti alla Nerano at least once a week, and I am not exaggerating. The dishes are Italian classics, but the kitchen's craft, professionalism, and precision bring each plate to an entirely new level. Do not skip the pistachio gelato. While a couple can treat it as a decadent splurge, the massive mound can easily serve four people.

For a midday cocktail or nightcap, Canova Bar is the sophisticated lounge where you can sip afternoon tea, signature drinks like the Luna Passion, or a classic Spritz, which originated right here in Venice.

Amenities

Arriving at the private dock provides uninterrupted access to the hotel and a seamless departure. Baglioni hotels are known for impeccable hospitality and service, and that does not waver at Hotel Luna. The concierge can arrange after-hours tours of St. Mark’s Basilica, private Riva motorboat lagoon cruises, cooking classes with local chefs, or Carnival mask-making workshops.

Location & Neighborhood Recs

When it comes to Venice hotels, a setting overlooking the San Marco Basin and San Giorgio Maggiore Island is hard to beat. Piazza San Marco is virtually on the doorstep of Hotel Luna, and nearby are the Doge's Palace, the Bridge of Sighs, and high-end shopping along the Mercerie and Calle Larga XXII Marzo, overflowing with art, pure cashmere, and Mary Jane-style Friulane shoes you won't want to return home without.

Fast Facts

Address: San Marco 1243, Calle Larga de l'Ascension, 30124 Venice, Italy

Neighborhood: San Marco

Rating: 5 stars

Starting Rate: Approximately $1,100 to $4,200/night, depending on season and room

Room Count: 91 rooms and suites

Vibe: Grand, historic, refined, and distinctly Venetian

Best For: Couples, culture lovers, luxury travelers, and families seeking multi-room suites

Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: Direct water access takes the friction out of transit, making airport or train-station transfers part of the experience

Dining: Santo Mare and Canova Bar

Amenities: Private water dock, 24-hour concierge, frescoed Marco Polo Ballroom, and private local experiences

Nearby Attractions: Piazza San Marco, Doge's Palace, Bridge of Sighs, Calle Larga XXII Marzo, and Mercerie boutiques

Airport: Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE)

Gallery

A closer look

Courtesy of Baglioni Hotel Luna

Courtesy of Baglioni Hotel Luna

Courtesy of Baglioni Hotel Luna

Courtesy of Baglioni Hotel Luna

Courtesy of Baglioni Hotel Luna

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