Venice is a maze. Not just the streets, but the history of its buildings. If you’ve been searching for the Westin Regina Venice, you might be getting a little frustrated with the search results.
Here’s the thing.
The hotel most people still refer to as the Westin Regina—or more formally, The Westin Europa & Regina—technically doesn't exist under that name anymore. It’s now the The St. Regis Venice.
Marriott, which owns both brands, decided to take one of the most iconic pieces of real estate on the Grand Canal and give it a massive, multimillion-dollar face-lift. They didn't just change the sign on the door. They gutted the vibe. If you’re looking for that classic, slightly old-school Westin feel, you’re going to find something much more avant-garde and expensive now.
The Identity Crisis of a Venetian Icon
People get confused because the "Regina" part of the name has been around forever. The original Hotel Regina was actually the preferred haunt of painters like Claude Monet. In 1908, he sat on the balcony here and painted the Santa Maria della Salute. You can literally see the exact perspective he had from the hotel's Grand Canal terrace today.
It’s weird to think about a "brand" when you're looking at a building that has stood through wars and rising tides. But for decades, the Westin Regina Venice was the go-to for travelers who wanted luxury that felt accessible. It was reliable. You knew the Heavenly Bed would be there. You knew the service would be polished but not stiff.
When the transition to St. Regis happened around 2019, it shifted the property into a different stratosphere of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. We’re talking about a move from "upscale luxury" to "ultra-luxury."
Why the Location is Impossible to Beat
Honestly, you can stay in a lot of places in Venice, but the stretch of water this hotel sits on is the "Main Street" of the world's most beautiful city. You’re directly across from the Punta della Dogana.
The hotel is actually a collection of five different palazzi. The oldest one dates back to the 17th century. This creates a layout that is, frankly, a bit of a nightmare if you have a bad sense of direction. Corridors turn unexpectedly. Floors don't always line up perfectly. But that’s Venice. If you wanted a square box with 90-degree angles, you’d stay at an airport Marriott in Des Moines.
The entrance is tucked away in the narrow calli (streets) near San Moisè. You walk through a relatively unassuming door and suddenly the space opens up into a garden that feels like a private secret. This garden is one of the few true outdoor social spaces in the city that isn't a paved campo.
The Monet Connection
It’s not just marketing fluff. Claude Monet really did stay at the Britannia (which later became part of the Europa & Regina). He was notoriously grumpy about the Venetian light at first. He thought it was unpaintable. Then he changed his mind and produced some of his most famous works from his room.
The hotel leans into this history. Even after the rebrand from Westin to St. Regis, the "Monet Suites" remain a focal point. They try to capture that specific 1900s impressionist light through massive windows. It’s expensive. Is it worth it? If you’re an art nerd with a high credit limit, probably.
What Changed During the Rebrand?
The Westin Regina Venice was known for its traditional Venetian decor. Think heavy brocades, Murano glass chandeliers that looked like they weighed a ton, and lots of gold leaf. It was beautiful, but it was starting to feel a little bit like your grandmother’s very expensive living room.
The new look is "Revolutionary Venice."
It’s stripped back. It’s brighter. The heavy curtains are gone, replaced by fabrics that let the light bounce off the canal water and onto the ceiling. The furniture is mid-century modern mixed with Italian craft. It’s a bold move because Venice usually doubles down on the "old world" look.
One thing that definitely changed is the price point. The Westin was a splurge; the St. Regis is a "sell a kidney" situation for some. You’re paying for the butler service now. In the Westin days, you had great concierge service, but the St. Regis "Butler" is a whole different level of hand-holding. They’ll unpack your bags. They’ll bring you coffee the second you wake up. Some people find it intrusive; others won't travel any other way.
Dealing with the "Acqua Alta"
If you’re planning to visit this specific spot on the Grand Canal, you have to talk about the water. Venice floods. The Westin Regina Venice—now St. Regis—has historically been very good at managing this, but it’s still Venice.
During high tide (Acqua Alta), the hotel uses elevated walkways called passerelle. The staff is incredibly used to it. They’ll swap their polished shoes for hip-waders and keep serving Bellinis like nothing is happening. It’s surreal.
- The Terrace: The hotel’s terrace is one of the lowest points.
- The Solution: They have sophisticated flood gates, but nature usually wins eventually.
- The Experience: There is nothing quite like sitting in the bar while the water laps just inches away from the floorboards.
The Food and Drink Scene
The old Westin had a restaurant called La Cusina. It was fine. It did the job. But it wasn't a destination for locals.
Now, the main restaurant is Gio’s. They’ve moved toward a more "market-to-table" concept. It’s still heavy on the seafood—you can’t be in Venice and skip the sea bass or the lagoon-sourced vegetables—but the presentation is much more contemporary.
The bar is the real star. The St. Regis bar culture is built around the Bloody Mary. Every St. Regis in the world has its own version. Here, it’s the "Santa Maria." It uses local ingredients like Grappa and Mediterranean herbs. It sounds weird. It actually works.
Practical Realities of Staying Here
Let's get real for a second. Venice is hard on luggage. If you try to walk from the train station to the hotel, you will hate your life. You’ll be hauling suitcases over half a dozen bridges.
You take a water taxi. It’s 120 Euro. It’s a lot of money for a 15-minute boat ride, but arriving at the private dock of the hotel is the only way to do it. It’s the "James Bond" entrance. The Westin Regina Venice was always famous for that dock arrival, and that hasn't changed.
The rooms vary wildly in size. Because it’s five palaces joined together, two rooms in the same price category might feel totally different. Some have tiny "Juliet" balconies. Others have massive terraces. If you're booking, you have to be very specific about wanting a Grand Canal view. If you don't, you might end up looking at a brick wall in a narrow alley. It’ll be a very nice brick wall, but still.
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The Verdict on the Transition
Is it better now than it was as the Westin Regina Venice?
It’s different. The Westin felt like a grand hotel for the people. The St. Regis feels like a gallery for the elite.
If you miss the old Regina, you’re missing a specific era of Venetian travel that was a bit more relaxed. But if you want the absolute cutting edge of what a luxury hotel can be in a city that is 1,000 years old, the rebrand was a success.
Steps for your next trip:
- Check the Name: Stop searching for "Westin Regina" on booking sites. Search for The St. Regis Venice to get accurate pricing and availability.
- Timing Matters: Go in the "shoulder season"—late March or October. You’ll get the same view for 40% less than the July peak.
- Request the Palazzo Badoer: If you want the most historic feel, ask for rooms in this section of the property.
- The Water Taxi Hack: If the private taxi is too pricey, take the Vaporetto (Line 1) to the San Marco Vallaresso stop. It’s a very short, mostly flat walk to the hotel entrance from there.
- Dine Outside: Even if you aren't staying there, go to the bar for one drink at sunset. It’s the best view of the Salute church in the entire city, period.