The narrow island, reached by water bus from Venice’s historic center, has traditionally attracted fewer international visitors than the city’s main attractions. But every September, the Lido becomes the center of the global film industry.
This year, its historic hotels are also taking center stage.
The biggest reopening is the Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido, Venice’s only luxury beachfront hotel and one of Europe’s most storied hospitality addresses. The Moorish-inspired landmark reopened May 5 following the first phase of a multi-year refurbishment program.
Opened in 1908, the Excelsior has hosted kings, world leaders and Hollywood royalty and has been closely associated with the Venice Film Festival since the event’s inaugural edition in 1932.
The renovation introduces a restored Palm Court, a new signature terrace restaurant that follows redesigned guest rooms and suites.
The rooms were revamped in 2025 and now combine softened Mediterranean palettes, artisanal detailing and contemporary styling while retaining the property’s historic character.
New facilities include a terrace restaurant, pool bar and Amu Venice, a beach club combining Riviera style with Venetian cuisine. The concept includes 299 beach cabanas and brings a Riviera-style dining experience to the Lido.
Amù originated on the rooftop of Fairmont Monte Carlo before expanding to Spain’s Costa del Sol. Its concept centers on coastal cuisine, fresh ingredients and Mediterranean influences.
The Excelsior is not the Lido’s only hotel reinventing itself. Meliá Venezia Lido, a four-star superior resort, opened last year in a 1920s building. Its 60 rooms, many overlooking the lagoon, offer a more accessible upscale option, while its Art Deco-inspired restaurant combines Mediterranean and Venetian cuisine.
The island’s most ambitious hotel transformation, however, is still to come: the Grand Hôtel des Bains, which opened in 1900 and has been empty since 2010, is set for a €200 million ($234 million) restoration following an agreement between Italian investment manager COIMA and Abu Dhabi-based Eagle Hills.
Grand_Hotel_Des_Bains-6190Detail of the façade of the Grand Hotel des Bains in 2019
The hotel once welcomed cultural figures including Thomas Mann and Sergei Diaghilev and became permanently linked with Lido’s cinematic history and Mann’s Death in Venice.
The project will transform the property into a modern luxury resort while preserving its Belle Époque architecture and cultural heritage.
Financing will come through the newly established COIMA Des Bains Fund, backed jointly by COIMA ESG City Impact Fund and Eagle Hills. The investment represents Eagle Hills’ first project in Italy.
The redevelopment will also extend beyond the hotel, with plans covering the beachfront, park and surrounding public spaces. Some external works have already begun, while COIMA and Eagle Hills are expected to work with local authorities on the final restoration program.
“This is more than a restoration – it is a revival of European legacy through modern excellence,” said Mohamed Alabbar, founder of Eagle Hills and Emaar Properties.
Together, the Excelsior’s reopening, Meliá’s arrival and the planned revival of the Grand Hôtel des Bains signal a significant transformation for the Lido. They bring back to Venice most famous beach its glamor while positioning the island as an emerging luxury resort destination.
Tags: Mohamed Alabbar, Eagle Hills and Emaar Properties Venice Lido