When the Hotel Excelsior opened in 1908 it was the largest and most extravagant resort hotel in the world’s newest fashionable seaside town. Its builder, Nicolò Spada, gave it a neo-Moorish and Venetian-Byzantine skin of domes, arches and crenellated towers, and faced it squarely onto the Adriatic with its own jetty and beach.
It has been at the centre of Lido life ever since — hosting the very first film festival in 1932 and still serving as the base for stars during the Mostra. It remains a working five-star hotel, so you can have a drink on the terrace or book a room, but its long facade on the Lungomare is an equally good reason to come.
Top things to do at Hotel Excelsior
See the facade from the beach
The best view of the Excelsior is from the sand in front of it, with the rows of cabins in the foreground — especially in early-morning or evening light.
Have a drink on the terrace
Non-guests can usually visit the bar and restaurants; it is an elegant, if expensive, way to see the interiors. Dress smartly and check opening times in advance.
Stay the night
If you want the full Belle Époque experience — private beach, cabana and jetty — see our where to stay guide for current rates.
How to get to Hotel Excelsior
- On foot: about 20 minutes from Santa Maria Elisabetta via the Gran Viale and the Lungomare.
- By bus: buses along the Lungomare stop close to the hotel and the Palazzo del Cinema.
- By water taxi: the hotel has its own landing stage on the lagoon side — the classic arrival.
Insider tips
- During the film festival the area around the hotel is fenced off for security.
- Its private beach and capanne are for hotel guests or paying day visitors when available — ask at the beach office.
- Combine it with a walk to the Hotel des Bains, about 10 minutes north along the seafront.
Best tours & tickets for Hotel Excelsior
These top-rated experiences pair well with a visit to Hotel Excelsior:
Cruise from €58 Venice: Golden Hour Cruise with Classical Music & Cocktail
Vivaldi and the lagoon at sunset: a golden-hour cruise with a classical soundtrack and a cocktail. One of the best-reviewed evening experiences in Venice on GetYourGuide.
- A classical soundtrack as the light turns gold
- A cocktail included
- Rated 4.9 by recent guests
Cruise from €93 Venice: Sunset Cruise by Traditional Boat & Prosecco
The lagoon at golden hour from a classic wooden boat, glass of prosecco included. Quieter and more atmospheric than the big catamarans, and one of the highest-rated evening experiences in Venice.
- A traditional Venetian wooden boat, not a motor launch
- Prosecco as the sun goes down over the lagoon
- Small group, with a private option
