The Hotel Excelsior sits on the Lido, the long barrier island that protects Venice from the Adriatic, on Lungomare Guglielmo Marconi. The booking page says it has 196 rooms across twenty-two room types, from classic and premium rooms to grand deluxe, junior suites, family rooms and two-bedroom suites, with air conditioning, bathrobes, smart televisions, coffee and tea makers and bidet bathrooms. It is a beach hotel in the grand style: beach cabanas, beachfront dining and a seasonal outdoor pool with sun loungers overlooking the Gulf of Venice. The Lido of Venice beaches are a three-minute walk, and the hotel is connected to the convention centre, with the Venice Film Festival held on the island each year. The hotel offers a complimentary wooden boat shuttle to St Mark's Square every half hour, according to the booking page, which is a charming way to commute to the sights. Dining includes the Adriatico Terrace for dinner, plus beach, poolside and bar options and a buffet breakfast for a surcharge. There is a gym with Pilates and fitness classes, free supervised childcare, a garden, an area shuttle, laundry and dry cleaning, a business centre, meeting rooms and a concierge. Self parking is available for a fee. Pets are not allowed, except service animals.
Why the Lido
It is a different Venice, with wide streets, bicycles, villas and a long sandy beach, and it works particularly well for families and for summer trips. You can combine the beach with day trips into the historic city by waterbus or the hotel's boat shuttle, and return to a quieter evening. In winter, the island is calm and the beach hotel is a restful base, but some seasonal facilities, such as the pool, may be closed. Check what is open for your dates.
Rooms and facilities
Sea-view and family rooms are the ones to ask for, and the grand deluxe categories give more space. Free WiFi and free supervised childcare are listed, and the hotel lists free cancellation on select rates. Check-in starts at three in the afternoon and check-out is at noon. The boat shuttle and the waterbus are the main links to the lagoon city, so allow time for travel in the evening, especially if you want dinner in Venice.
Who it suits
Families, beach lovers, film-festival visitors and anyone who finds the historic centre overwhelming. It is less suitable if you want to step out of the door into St Mark's Square, or if you rely on late-night restaurants in the historic centre. Pair a Lido stay with the Lido entry in this guide for more on the island.
Rates are high in peak season. Venice has charged a day-visitor access fee on selected dates; rules and dates change, so check the current position before you travel. The booking page for the hotel mentions that overnight guests can ask about an exemption, so confirm the process with the hotel.
Why stay here
- ✓Beachfront location
- ✓Beach cabanas
- ✓Seasonal outdoor pool
- ✓Boat shuttle to St Marks
- ✓Adriatico Terrace
- ✓Gym with fitness classes
- ✓Free supervised childcare
- ✓Family rooms and suites
Good questions
Is the hotel in central Venice?+
No. It is on the Lido, the barrier island, and links to St Mark's Square by waterbus or the hotel's boat shuttle.
Does it have a pool and a beach?+
Yes. The booking page shows a seasonal outdoor pool, beach cabanas and beachfront dining. Check seasonal opening dates.
Is parking available?+
Yes, self parking is listed for a fee. Check the current charge.
