You’ll be spoilt for choice when you’re looking for romantic hotels in Venice, and there are many elegant boutique hotels located close to key proposal spots such as the Piazza San Marco and the Rialto Bridge. If you’re looking to really splash out, there are also a good selection of five star and luxury hotels. Many hotels have their own mooring so you can take a gondola or water taxi from the door.

Boutique Hotels in Venice

If you’re looking for a small elegant boutique hotel just a few minutes from the Rialto Bridge, the Oltre Il Giardino is a fantastic place to start. With just six beautiful six you will receive a very personal service and the hotel has a gorgeous garden with olive trees, magnolia and pomegranate where you can eat your breakfast.

If you’re planning to propose on the Piazza San Marco, the hotel Ca Maria Adele could be the perfect choice. Located in the arty Dorsoduro district, the hotel is housed within a former fifteenth century palace and offers twelve superbly designed rooms, fantastic views over the canals, and many quirky details such as a Moroccan style terrace and a 1950s style breakfast room.

Another former palace, the Palazzetto Pisani, is located right on the Grand Canal and even has its own private mooring so you can take a gondola ride from the door. It is the ideal place if you’re looking for a taste of old Venice and elegant traditional Venetian decor such as Murano chandeliers and painted ceilings.

For those that prefer a little modern luxury, the Charming House IQs offers the contradiction of contemporary design within a renaissance exterior. Made up of four luxurious suites, the location near the Piazza San Marco makes this an ideal base for exploring Venice.

Luxury Hotels in Venice

The Luna Hotel Baglioni is one of the most luxurious hotels in Venice and offers its guests a true flavor of Italy with crystal chandeliers, stunning fresco's, and glamorous antiques. The beautifully furnished rooms offer views over the lagoon and San Marco Basin and the Piazza San Marco is just a few steps away.

Another five star hotel close to the Piazza San Marco is the Hotel Danieli, which is made up of three interconnecting palaces, each with its own unique style. For a special treat book a Lagoon View room with a balcony, decorated in Empire or Venetian style.

For a luxurious hotel on the edge of the lagoon itself, the Hotel Londra Palace is an excellent choice. The large rooms and suite have elegant marble bathrooms, and offer wonderful views of the whole San Marco basin. Book a junior suite for the best views and to really impress your soon-to-be fiance.

For something extra special, why not stay on a private island on the lagoon itself when you book a room at the San Clemente Palace Hotel and Resort. The hotel has a pool and a fabulous spa, and there are regular boats to the Piazza San Marco which takes just twelve minutes.

Venetian cuisine may be similar to the rest of Italy in some respects, but there are also strong influences from the east as it has historically been an important trading port. This means that there is a strong emphasis on rice dishes such as risotto, with spices such as nutmeg. Of course Venice’s location on the coast means that seafood is also very popular. While it is possible to find good international restaurants in Venice, the local cuisine is ideal for a romantic post proposal dinner.

Restaurants near the Piazza San Marco

Vino Vino is an intimate and historic restaurant and wine bar offering local specialties such as Venetian style sweet and sour sardines, seafood risotto, and calf liver with onion and polenta, alongside delicious homemade desserts.

Vini da Arturo is a very tiny restaurant near the Piazza San Marco with a fantastic atmosphere and wonderful service. The emphasis is on local meat with steak and green peppercorn sauce a particular specialty.

Le Bistrot de Venise is an elegant and romantic choice, especially if you sit out on the terrace. It offers a delicious menu featuring contemporary interpretations of historic Venetian dishes such as baccalà, which is dried salted cod.

Restaurants in Castello

Trattoria da Remigio is located on Calle Bosello near Scuola San Giorgio dei Greci. It is well known for its simple but perfectly prepared Adriatic dishes, particularly the local seafood specialties.

Al Covo is a small and cozy restaurant with both a la carte and tasting menus that focus on high quality, local, seasonal ingredients. The desserts are truly mouth watering.
Osteria alle Rivetta has a relaxed and informal atmosphere that can make the fantastic food a bit of a surprise. House specialties include the gnocchetti ai calamaretti and the scampi alla busara, and the wine list is superb.

Restaurants around Venice

Ai Tre Spiedi is located on Salizzada San Cazian in the Cannaregio district. It is ideal for fresh seafood dishes and Venetian specialties such as braised eel.

Fiaschetteria Toscana is also located in the Cannaregio district close to the Rialto Bridge, and is a great choice if you’re looking for an authentic Venetian restaurant with a great emphasis on fresh fish from the Venice lagoon.

Taverna San Trovaso is located on Fondamenta Priuli in the Dorsoduro district. It specializes in simple grilled fish, as well as other traditional Venetian dishes and has a fantastic four course menu for that special dinner.

Simply exploring Venice can provide enough romantic experiences for several days, but if you’d like to have a few activities up your sleeve to make sure you have a memorable proposal vacation, here are some you could consider:

• Take a boat ride out across the lagoon to the lace making island of Burano
• Shop for Murano glass and Venetian masks in the Dorsoduro district
• Enjoy an opera from the gold balconies of the Theatre La Fenice
• Relax on the beautiful beach at quiet and peaceful Lido Island
• Take a tour of St. Mark’s Cathedral and admire the golden mosaics
• Sip Bellinis at the iconic Harry’s Bar on Calle Vallaresso San Marco