Venice is one of those destinations everyone should visit at least once. Beautiful canals, historic buildings, romantic bridges and, of course, plenty of tourists. But what if you could enjoy all the beauty of Venice and then escape to your own peaceful island?
That is exactly what makes the JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa so special.
Located on Isola delle Rose, a private island in the Venetian Lagoon, this five-star resort offers a different experience from staying in the busy historic centre. Think beautiful gardens, swimming pools, elegant restaurants and a complimentary boat shuttle to St. Mark’s Square.
We stayed here as a family with our little one, Santi, and the hotel was one of the highlights of our Venice trip. From the impressive arrival by private water taxi to the spacious rooms and excellent kids’ club, there was plenty to enjoy.
Here is my honest review, including the rooms, facilities, restaurants, transport options and everything you need to know before booking.
Table of Contents
Quick Hotel Summary
⭐ Best for: Families, couples and luxury travellers looking for a peaceful resort experience.
💸 Price: Approximately €400–€650 in low season, €550–€900 in shoulder season and €800–€1,500+ in high season.
📍 Location: Isola delle Rose, a private island in the Venetian Lagoon.
💎 Highlight: The private island, beautiful pools, family facilities and unique water taxi arrival.
⚠️ Downside: You depend on boats to reach Venice, and food and drinks can be expensive.
1. Why I Chose JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa in Venice
When planning our trip, I wanted something different from a traditional city hotel. Venice can get very busy, so staying somewhere peaceful with swimming pools and outdoor space sounded perfect.
The JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa immediately caught my attention because it is located on its own private island.
Instead of narrow streets and tourist crowds, you get gardens, restaurants, swimming pools and beautiful lagoon views. Whenever you want to explore the city, you simply take the complimentary hotel boat to St. Mark’s Square.
It is also a particularly good choice for families, with spacious accommodation, a kids’ club and a dedicated family swimming pool.
How much does JW Marriott Venice cost?
The hotel is a luxury option, so it is worth planning your budget.
| Season | Approximate price per night |
|---|---|
| Low season (early spring and autumn) | €400–€650 |
| Shoulder season (May, June and September) | €550–€900 |
| High season (July and August) | €800–€1,500+ |
| Special dates and peak demand | €1,000–€1,800+ |
These are indicative planning ranges, not fixed hotel rates. Prices depend on availability, room category and booking conditions. Suites and private-pool residences can cost considerably more.
2. First Impressions: Design, Vibes & Crowd
The first thing you notice is how different the JW Marriott Venice feels from the rest of the city.
The resort occupies restored historic buildings, with architecture and interiors designed by Italian architect Matteo Thun. The result is a combination of contemporary luxury, natural materials and traditional Venetian character.
I would describe the design as understated luxury, with neutral colours, beautiful gardens and plenty of open spaces.
The resort has approximately 16 hectares of green space, so you can walk around and find quiet corners away from other guests.
The guests were very international, but I noticed a particularly large number of American visitors. English was the language you heard most often around the hotel.
There were also mainly families during our stay, with fewer couples than I expected from a five-star luxury resort.
3. Rooms & Comfort: What Are the Rooms Really Like?
We booked a Deluxe King Room, which was very spacious. Having a toddler who likes to walk around and explore, extra space is always welcome!
The room had a large king-size bed, comfortable furniture and an elegant, neutral design.
We also had a lovely balcony with two chairs, perfect for enjoying a quiet moment while Santi was taking a nap.
Our balcony overlooked the inside of the hotel rather than the lagoon, but the view was still very pretty.
Important tip: If having a balcony is important to you, request one when booking. Not every room in this category necessarily has one.
The bathroom was comfortable and well designed. We initially chose a room with a bathtub because we wanted to give Santi the option of having a bath. However, it had a relatively small window.
After explaining to reception that we preferred a room with a larger window, the staff quickly organised a room change. The whole process was very easy.
Other room categories
The hotel offers different rooms and suites, including options with lagoon views and larger accommodation suitable for families. There are also exclusive residences and villas with private pools.
The hotel provided us with a baby cot free of charge, another nice detail for families.
4. Amenities: What Does the Hotel Actually Offer?
This is where the JW Marriott Venice really stands out. It is not simply a place to sleep while visiting Venice; you can spend an entire day without leaving the island.
a. Swimming pools
- Rooftop swimming pool: is one of the hotel’s most attractive features. It has an infinity-style design and beautiful views over the lagoon and Venice. It is next to the rooftop bar and restaurant and is reserved for guests aged 16 and above.
- Families can use the dedicated family swimming pool, which has a separate children’s area and a small water fountain/play area next to it.
b. Gym and sports
The resort also has a fitness centre and sports facilities, including padel, boules, fitness sessions and bicycle rental.
c. Kids’ Club
The kids’ club was one of my favourite facilities at the hotel. It was very complete, with plenty of toys, games and activities. Santi never got bored!
You can use the kids’ club free of charge if you stay with your child. If you prefer to leave your little one there with supervision, children must be at least 4 years old, and there is an additional fee of approximately €30–€35 per child per day.
Since Santi was still under two, I had to stay with him, but we really enjoyed the space. It is a great option for families, especially if you are travelling with older children who can enjoy the activities independently.
d. JW Venice Spa
The hotel’s spa offers treatments and wellness facilities, including:
Finnish and bio saunas.
Hammam.
Experiential showers.
Indoor and outdoor vitality pools.
Massage and beauty treatments.
Some facilities and treatments have additional charges.
e. Other activities
The hotel has a weekly activity calendar, with seasonal options such as outdoor movie nights, picnics in the gardens, cooking classes, wine experiences, padel, bicycle excursions and family activities.
You can also arrange excursions around Venice, including visits to Murano and Burano.
5. Dining: Restaurants & Breakfast Review
One advantage of staying here is having several restaurants and bars without needing to leave the island.
a. Sagra Rooftop Restaurant
Italian cuisine with a contemporary approach and beautiful views of Venice. My choice for a special dinner.
b. Pizzeria Cucina
A good option when you are in the mood for pizza. And also here is where breakfast is served every morning.
Breakfast buffet
Breakfast was one of the highlights of our mornings. The buffet was very complete, with a good variety of options. I also appreciated that the hotel had baby high chairs, making breakfast with Santi much easier.
Breakfast is generally served between 7:00 and 11:00 am. Whether it is included depends on your room rate. The separate advertised price can be around €45 per adult.
c. Giardino Grill
A relaxed restaurant next to the family swimming pool, convenient for lunch.
d. Rose Bar Lounge
A lovely place for cocktails, wine and other drinks.
e. Dispensa Delicatessen
Useful for coffee, snacks, drinks and small items to take away.
6. Services & Practical Info You Need to Know
Here are some useful details before booking:
Reception: Open 24 hours.
WiFi: Available in guest rooms and hotel areas.
Check-in: From 3:00 pm.
Check-out: Until 12:00 pm.
Baby cots: Available free of charge, subject to confirmation.
Parking: No parking directly at the resort. Ask the concierge about parking options in Venice.
Luggage: Staff assist with luggage when arriving by boat.
Pets: Accepted subject to hotel conditions and fees.
We arrived early, at around 11:00 am, and were lucky enough to get an early check-in. Our room was not ready immediately, but we explored the resort for approximately 30 minutes until reception contacted us.
It was a nice start to the stay, especially after travelling with a toddler!
The hotel also provides complimentary water. There is a small shop near the entrance where you can buy snacks and drinks, although prices are higher than in a regular supermarket.
If you want to save money, take the complimentary boat to Venice and visit a Coop supermarket for snacks, drinks or other essentials.
7. Location: Is It Well Located in Venice?
The JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa is located on Isola delle Rose, a private island in the Venetian Lagoon.
Surrounded by greenery, gardens and lagoon views, it offers a peaceful environment away from the busy historic centre.
The location is both the hotel’s biggest advantage and something to consider before booking.
You get outdoor space and a completely different experience from staying in central Venice. However, you cannot simply walk outside and find restaurants, cafés or shops. You need to take a boat whenever you want to visit the city.
Personally, I loved this combination. We could spend the morning exploring Venice, then return to the hotel for a swim and a relaxed afternoon.
It felt like having two different holidays in one!
Complimentary boat shuttle to Venice
The hotel operates a complimentary boat shuttle connecting the resort with the San Marco area, arriving at the Giardini Reali pier, close to St. Mark’s Square and running aproximately every 30 min.
During our stay, the boat was sometimes almost empty and other times relatively full. However, it never felt like the overcrowded tourist boats you might expect in Venice, and we always had a seat.
8. How to Get There (Airport & Transport Guide)
Getting to the JW Marriott Venice is part of the experience!
The resort is surrounded by water, so you cannot reach it by car. You will need a boat.
Option 1: Private water taxi from Venice Marco Polo Airport
This is the option I recommend if you want to make your arrival special.
You can book a private water taxi directly from the airport to the hotel’s private pier. The journey takes approximately 30–45 minutes.
We paid around €150 for this experience, although prices vary depending on the provider, passengers, luggage and time of day. We looked online on several pages and Motoscafi Venezia had the best price.
It feels very special and elegant. As soon as you arrive, the porters take your luggage, making everything very smooth.
Option 2: Public transport + complimentary hotel boat
If you prefer to save money, take the Alilaguna public boat from Marco Polo Airport to St. Mark’s Square. From there, take the hotel’s complimentary shuttle boat to Isola delle Rose.
The complete journey takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, depending on connections and waiting times.
It is a much cheaper alternative, although you miss the direct arrival.
Option 3: Arriving by train
If you arrive at Venezia Santa Lucia station, you can take a private water taxi directly to the resort or use public transport to reach the San Marco area and connect with the hotel’s shuttle.
There is no metro system in Venice, so boats and walking are your main ways of getting around.
9. What’s Nearby? Top Attractions & Distances
Although the hotel is on a private island, you are not far from Venice’s main attractions.
Once you arrive at the hotel’s San Marco pier, most famous sights are within walking distance.
Approximate walking times from the Giardini Reali pier:
St. Mark’s Square – 2–3 minutes: The heart of Venice, surrounded by historic buildings and cafés.
St. Mark’s Basilica – 4–5 minutes: Famous for its Byzantine architecture and mosaics.
Doge’s Palace – 4–5 minutes: A historic palace that was once the centre of Venetian political power.
Bridge of Sighs – 5 minutes: One of Venice’s most photographed landmarks.
Rialto Bridge – 12–15 minutes: A beautiful bridge over the Grand Canal, surrounded by shops and restaurants.
Teatro La Fenice – 10–12 minutes: One of Italy’s most famous opera houses.
Ponte dell’Accademia – 15–18 minutes: A lovely spot for views over the Grand Canal.
My recommendation is to spend the morning exploring Venice, have lunch in the city and return to the hotel in the afternoon to enjoy the swimming pools and gardens.
10. The Honest Part: Pros & Cons
What I loved:
The private island location and peaceful atmosphere.
The impressive arrival by private water taxi.
The complimentary boat shuttle to St. Mark’s Square.
The spacious rooms, especially when travelling with a toddler.
The beautiful gardens and outdoor spaces.
The swimming pools, including a dedicated family pool.
The kids’ club, with plenty of toys and activities.
The complete breakfast buffet and baby high chairs.
The friendly and efficient staff.
The possibility of enjoying a resort holiday without leaving the island.
What could be improved:
Food and drink prices: Venice can be expensive. Expect to pay around €10 for a beer in many hotel and city restaurants. Casual meals can cost around €10–€15, while the rooftop restaurant is more expensive.
Boat dependency: You cannot simply walk into Venice whenever you want. You need to plan around the shuttle timetable or pay for another boat.
Shuttle frequency: The complimentary boat is convenient, but it does not run continuously. Missing a departure can mean waiting for the next one.
Room details: Not every room has the same window size or balcony arrangement, so make your preferences clear when booking.
Overall, I found the positive points much more important than the disadvantages. The staff were particularly good at solving small problems, which made the stay even more enjoyable.
11. Final Verdict: Is JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa Worth It?
Yes! Especially if you are looking for something more than a traditional hotel in Venice.
The JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa offers a combination that is difficult to find in the city: a luxury resort, a private island, beautiful swimming pools, spacious accommodation and easy access to the main attractions.
One extra tip: Plan your trip around the Festa del Redentore!
If you can, I highly recommend visiting Venice around the third weekend of July, when the city celebrates the Festa del Redentore.
On Saturday evening, the lagoon becomes the setting for an incredible fireworks display, with the sky illuminated above the water and the city.
12. Book JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa
Check prices and availability for your dates: JW Marriott Venice BOOK HERE
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