On the Grand Canal, near San Stae, a 16th-century palace is about to embark on a new chapter. The Palazzo Giovanelli Gran Canal will reopen in July 2026 as an exceptional five-star hotel, following four years of restoration. Behind this metamorphosis lies a strong decision: to reduce the number of keys to elevate a charming Venetian address to the pinnacle of luxury hospitality.
The Essentials
- What’s changing: a 16th-century palace on the Grand Canal reopens as an exceptional five-star hotel after four years of restoration.
- Where: near San Stae, on the Grand Canal, Santa Croce sestiere, in Venice.
- The upgrade: from 41 to 33 keys, a deliberate transition from four-star to five-star.
- New features: the Armonico restaurant and the Do Grifoni bar, two brand new establishments.
- Reopening: July 2026, under the aegis of the owning Semenzato family.
A 16th-Century Palace Restored After Four Years of Works
A former patrician residence of Venetian nobility, the palace has been entirely restored under the supervision of the Soprintendenza, guarantor of the Serenissima’s heritage. The project, carried out over approximately four years by the owning Semenzato family, elevates the establishment from a four-star to a five-star hotel, reducing its capacity from 41 to 33 rooms and suites. The guiding principle, asserted by the house, is to preserve the soul of a private Venetian residence rather than imitating the codes of standardised international hospitality.
Fact Sheet
- Category: Five-star (previously four-star before renovation).
- Capacity: 33 rooms and suites, including the Mozart Suite (approx. 120 sq m) and the Foscarini Suite.
- Design: restyling by Gascón studio, restoration carried out under the supervision of the Soprintendenza.
- Dining: the Armonico restaurant (Venetian cuisine) and the Do Grifoni bar.
- Location: direct access from the Grand Canal, private pier, internal garden.
Restored Venetian Decor: Frescoes, Stuccos, and Marbles
The renovation, entrusted to Gascón studio, has brought to light a period interior: frescoes attributed to Giovanni Battista Zelotti, stuccos, polychrome marbles, and Murano chandeliers. Signature suites, such as the Mozart Suite of approximately 120 sq m or the Foscarini Suite, embrace authentic Venetian style, featuring ornate ceilings and views over the Grand Canal. The palace retains its direct water access and private pier, a rare luxury even in Venice, as well as an internal garden.
Two New Establishments and a Confident Upgrade
On the culinary front, the reopening is accompanied by two new additions: the Armonico restaurant, dedicated to essential Venetian cuisine, and the Do Grifoni bar, which has been completely redesigned. By reducing from 41 to 33 keys, the Palazzo Giovanelli is betting on exclusivity rather than volume, a strategy aligning with several other Venetian addresses that have upgraded in recent years. In a city where ultra-luxury offerings remain rare and highly sought after, the arrival of a new five-star hotel on the Grand Canal is far from insignificant.
Our View
With its position on the Grand Canal, its restored period decor, and its deliberately reduced capacity, the Palazzo Giovanelli Gran Canal has all the credentials to join the finest addresses in the Serenissima. It further enhances our selection of the best hotels in Venice on the Grand Canal. One caveat, however: the available online reviews still pertain to the former four-star establishment (around 4.3/5 on Tripadvisor and 9.2/10 on Booking for the previous version), and we will have to await the first stays at the new five-star hotel to truly assess the renovated product.
The Palazzo Giovanelli Gran Canal, on the Grand Canal in Venice. Check availability and plan your stay.
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