Venice is a lie. Well, not the city itself, but the version most people see—the cramped alleys near San Marco and the overpriced spritz at a tourist trap. If you actually want to feel the weight of history without the claustrophobia, you head to the Lido. Specifically, you go to the Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido Resort. It’s this massive, Moorish-style fortress of luxury that looks like someone dropped a Moroccan palace onto a Venetian beach in 1908. It shouldn't work. It’s weird, sprawling, and grand in a way that feels almost defiant against modern minimalism.
Honestly, most people get the Lido wrong. They think it’s just a strip of sand where the movie stars hide in September. But the Excelsior is basically the reason the Venice Film Festival even exists. Back in 1932, the first festival was held right on the hotel's terrace. You can still stand there. It’s wild to think about Greta Garbo or Clark Gable pacing those same floors while the Adriatic Sea crashed in the background.
The Architecture is Kind of a Fever Dream
Most Venetian hotels are cramped. You’re lucky if you can open your suitcase without hitting a wall. The Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido Resort is the complete opposite. When Nicolò Spada commissioned architect Giovanni Sardi to build this thing, they weren't thinking about "efficiency." They went full Venetian-Byzantine. We’re talking domes, pointed arches, and intricate terracotta that makes the whole building look like a sandcastle that gained sentience and decided to become a five-star resort.
The lobby is huge. It’s the kind of space that makes you want to walk a little slower. You’ve got these towering windows and chandeliers that have probably seen more deals signed than a Wall Street boardroom. If you look closely at the masonry, you'll see the detail isn't just for show; it’s a specific tribute to the crossroads of East and West that Venice has always represented. It’s not "modern chic." It’s "Belle Époque opulence," and if that’s not your vibe, you’re probably in the wrong part of Italy.
The Courtyard Secret
The Moorish courtyard is the heart of the place. It’s quiet. It’s filled with fountains and greenery that feels completely disconnected from the chaos of the vaporetto docks. People usually rush through here to get to the beach, but that's a mistake. The acoustics are strange and perfect. It's the best spot in the hotel to realize that you’re on a literal island, on a thin strip of land, between a lagoon and a sea.
What the Rooms are Actually Like
Let’s be real: sometimes these historic hotels can feel "musty." You know the type—old carpets and a smell of 1950s perfume. The Excelsior has dodged that bullet mostly through some very smart, very expensive renovations. They’ve kept the soul but swapped out the ancient mattresses.
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The rooms are massive. By European standards, they are basically zip codes. You have the Classic rooms which look over the internal courtyard, and then you have the sea-view suites. If you can, get the sea view. Waking up to the Adriatic at the Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido Resort is one of those "bucket list" things that actually lives up to the hype. The light hitting the water at 6:00 AM is a specific shade of blue you won't find anywhere else.
- The Bathrooms: Usually marble-heavy. Lots of space.
- The Tech: It’s there, hidden behind wood panels. High-speed Wi-Fi actually works, which is a miracle in Venice.
- The Style: Heavy fabrics, high ceilings, and a lot of custom-made furniture that feels like it belongs in a museum.
The Beach and Those Famous Cabanas
The beach here isn't like a public beach in Miami or Rimini. It’s orderly. It’s about the cabanas. These aren't just tents; they are little wooden sanctuaries lined up in neat rows. If you’re staying at the Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido Resort, the cabana culture is something you have to lean into. You sit there, you order a club sandwich—which, fair warning, is pricey—and you watch the world go by.
It’s where the "power lunch" happens during the Biennale. You might see a director arguing with a producer two rows down, or a family that has been coming to the same spot every summer for forty years. There is a hierarchy to the rows. The closer to the water, the more "seen" you are. If you want privacy, you head back toward the boardwalk.
Why the Sand is Different
The Lido’s sand is finer than what you’ll find on the mainland. It’s been hauled and groomed for over a century. Walking along the shore toward the old pier gives you a view of the hotel’s profile that really puts its scale into perspective. It looks like a giant, golden crown sitting on the edge of the water.
Dining Without the Pretension (Mostly)
The Adriatico Restaurant is the main event. It’s formal, sure, but not stuffy. They do a lot of seafood, obviously. You want the moeche (soft-shell crabs) if they are in season. They are a Venetian delicacy, and the chefs here know how to handle them without overcomplicating things.
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The Elimar Beach Bar and Restaurant is the casual sibling. It’s where you go when you’ve got salt in your hair and you just want a decent pasta. Honestly, the pizza there is surprisingly good for a high-end resort. People usually expect hotel pizza to be a soggy afterthought, but they take it seriously.
Then there’s the Blue Bar. This is the legendary spot. It’s dark, moody, and filled with photos of the legends who have sat on those barstools. If you don't get a Bellini or a Spritz here, did you even go to Venice? The bartenders are old-school. They don't do "flair" bartending; they just make a perfect drink and let you enjoy the atmosphere.
How to Get There Without Losing Your Mind
Getting to the Lido can be a pain if you don't know the system. The Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido Resort runs its own private launch. It’s a mahogany boat that picks you up near St. Mark’s Square.
- Don't take the public vaporetto if you have heavy luggage. The walk from the Lido S.M.E. stop to the hotel is about 15-20 minutes. It's a nice walk, but not with three suitcases.
- Use the hotel shuttle. It’s free for guests and it makes you feel like you're in a Bond movie.
- Water Taxis are the fastest, but they will cost you. Expect to pay 70-100 Euros from the airport or the train station.
The Film Festival Factor
If you visit during the Venice Film Festival (usually late August to early September), the energy changes. The Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido Resort becomes the epicenter of the universe. There are red carpets everywhere. The security is tight. You’ll see paparazzi hanging out on the pier trying to get a shot of someone stepping off a boat.
Is it worth staying then? Only if you like the chaos. If you want a relaxing holiday, avoid those two weeks. But if you want to see the machinery of Hollywood meet the elegance of Italy, it’s a masterclass in glamor. The hotel transforms. Pop-up bars appear, and every corner of the lobby is a photoshoot.
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Practical Insights for Your Stay
- Bikes are your best friend: The Lido is flat. Rent a bike from the hotel or a local shop and ride down to the Malamocco end of the island. It’s a fishing village that feels like Venice 50 years ago.
- The Breakfast: It’s a massive spread. Eat enough to skip lunch. The pastries are legit, and the coffee is actually strong.
- Off-Season Vibes: Visit in May or late September. The weather is still great, the crowds are gone, and the rates at the Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido Resort are much more reasonable.
- Check the Pier: Even if you aren't leaving, go out on the private pier at night. The view of the lights of Venice across the lagoon is arguably better than being in the city itself.
Reality Check: The Limitations
It’s not all sunshine and prosecco. Because the building is so old and so big, maintenance is a constant battle. Sometimes an elevator is slow. Sometimes the salt air takes a toll on the exterior paint. If you’re looking for a "smart hotel" where everything is controlled by an iPad, this isn't it. This is a place for people who appreciate the creak of old wood and the scale of historical ambition. It’s a luxury experience that values "place" over "gadgets."
Also, the Lido is quiet. If you want nightlife that lasts until 4:00 AM, you’ll be disappointed. Once the sun goes down and the day-trippers leave, the island settles into a very calm, very residential rhythm. For many, that's the draw. For others, it’s a bit too sleepy.
Actionable Next Steps
If you are planning a trip to the Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido Resort, don't just book the first room you see on a travel site. Call the hotel directly or check their official "Offers" page. They often have packages that include the cabana rental, which can save you a few hundred Euros over a week-long stay.
Once you arrive, make a point to explore the "hidden" parts of the Lido. Grab a bike and head to the Alberoni dunes at the southern tip. It’s a protected nature reserve and a stark contrast to the manicured luxury of the hotel. Finally, time your arrival for sunset. Taking the hotel's private launch across the lagoon while the sun dips behind the Salute church is the single best introduction to the property you can possibly have.