Finding Luxury on Lido: Where to Stay During the Venice Film Festival

When the red carpet rolls out on the Lido and the world’s most photographed faces drift between the cinema palaces, the island itself still offers quiet corners where you can breathe, sip a cocktail and feel truly pampered. Two spots stand out: the freshly renovated Excelsior, a former festival landmark, and the 12th‑century San Clemente Palace, a private oasis just a short water‑taxi ride away.

First, the Excelsior. It’s not a coincidence that the hotel hosted the very first International Film Festival back in 1932; its lobby still sports oversized portraits of Greta Garbo, Federico Fellini and other legends, reminding you that you’re walking in cinematic history. The building sits right on the beach, and its private dock welcomes water taxis that glide across the lagoon—so you can watch celebrity arrivals from the comfort of the lobby or your own balcony.

After a major makeover that wrapped up in May, every one of its nearly 200 rooms feels modern without erasing the Art‑Deco charm. The new terrace restaurant, Amù Venice, dishes out Mediterranean flavors with a view of the Adriatic, while the beach club’s cabanas let you dip into a heated pool or try stand‑up paddle‑boarding whenever you like. Need a quick spa session? In‑room massages can be arranged, complete with the sound of waves as your backdrop.

Just a five‑minute stroll from the Sala Grande, where films like Lance Oppenheim’s Primetime premiered, the Excelsior is also a practical launchpad for shuttling to the city’s main attractions. Complimentary water taxis whisk you to Harry’s Bar or the Rialto, and because it’s the only five‑star resort on Lido’s sand, you’ll never feel cramped.

If absolute privacy is your priority, hop across the lagoon to San Clemente. The 15‑acre island is home to the Kempinski San Clemente Palace, a former 12th‑century monastery that still houses a medieval church. Its palatial suites boast soaring ceilings, floor‑to‑ceiling windows overlooking lush gardens or the canal, and gilded mirrors that make every sunrise feel like a private performance.

The property’s amenities read like a boutique resort catalog: a tranquil heated pool set amid verdant foliage, tennis and volleyball courts, a full‑service spa, and even a waterside golf‑training area. Art lovers will enjoy rotating sculpture exhibitions, while cinephiles can catch outdoor screenings under the stars.

Dining at San Clemente is an experience in itself. The lagoon‑front restaurant Acquerello serves refined Venetian cuisine—think scallops on sunchoke cream and lagoon spider crab with lime bisque—while the pool‑side La Specialità offers casual thin‑crust pizzas, fresh salads and pasta dishes for a laid‑back lunch.

Both hotels provide complimentary shuttle boats that run all day to Venice proper, but if you prefer to stay on the island, everything you need—luxury, privacy, and a front‑row seat to festival glamour—is right at your doorstep. And for those who want to explore beyond the Lido, booking an excursion with local operator SeeItaly can add a personalized touch, whether you’re craving a gondola ride at sunset or a private tour of Murano glass workshops.

So whether you’re rubbing shoulders with stars on the Lido’s promenade or seeking a serene retreat after a night of premieres, the Excelsior and San Clemente Palace give you two very different, yet equally unforgettable, ways to do Venice right during festival week.