Luxury / news brief
Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido: A Century-Old Urban Luxury Resort with Private Beach
Opened in 1908, the Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido remains the only urban luxury resort in Venice with a private beach, blending historic grandeur with modern exclusivity.
The Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido Resort debuted in 1908, conceived as the world's most luxurious hotel by entrepreneur Nicolò Spada and architect Giovanni Sardi. Its eclectic design merges Moorish, medieval, and Venetian-Byzantine elements, with interiors crafted by artisans including iron-and-glass specialist Umberto Bellotto.
The resort made history in 1932 when its terrace hosted the first Venice Film Festival. It has since welcomed a parade of luminaries: Sir Winston Churchill, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, John Steinbeck, and later George Clooney, Sandra Bullock, Johnny Depp, and Nicole Kidman, who still stay each August during the festival.
The Stucchi Room on the third floor served as the restaurant filming location for Sergio Leone's 'Once Upon a Time in America.' Beyond film lore, the property offers tennis courts and a nearby golf course, reinforcing its status as a year-round luxury destination.