Beyond the red-carpet glamor of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, the Venice Lido is experiencing a subtle yet substantial transformation. Famous for its Belle Époque architecture and tranquil barrier beaches, the narrow island has long served as a peaceful summer resort for locals, often overlooked by international visitors outside the annual 11-day cinematic showcase. Now, a series of high-end resort renovations and historical restorations is positioning the island as a revived hub for quiet luxury.
The epicenter of this transformation is the legendary Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido, which has hosted royalty, politicians, and screen icons since opening in 1908. Following a major renovation unveiled in May, more than half of its 198 rooms and suites have been refreshed with soft Mediterranean color palettes and custom Murano glass. Its restored Palm Court lobby displays archival photography of past guests, while a new terrace restaurant and beach club, Amù Venice, blends French Riviera style with regional Veneto culinary traditions.
Complementing the Excelsior's upgrade are broader investments in the Lido's architectural legacy. Last year marked the opening of Meliá Venezia Lido, a four-star superior resort housed in a restored 1920s building that offers 60 rooms with views across the Adriatic lagoon to the historic city center. Meanwhile, plans were announced for a €200 million redevelopment of the Grand Hôtel des Bains—the grand resort that inspired Thomas Mann’s 1911 novella Death in Venice. Closed since 2010, the property is being restored by Abu Dhabi developer Eagle Hills and the COIMA ESG City Impact Fund.
Together, these developments signal a new trajectory for the island. Rather than competing with the crowded waterways of central Venice, the Lido is reclaiming its heritage as an elegant sanctuary, combining historic preservation with high-end hospitality.