Hotel Review: JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa
Venice is one of the most unique cities in the world, but also one of the most crowded. After spending time navigating the narrow streets, bridges, and busy walkways, we knew we wanted a hotel that would give us a chance to step away from that environment at the end of the day. That’s what led us to the JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa.
Set on its own private island, Isola delle Rose, the resort offers a completely different way to experience Venice. It’s close enough to the city, just a short boat ride from St. Mark’s Square, but far enough removed to feel like a true retreat.
Hotel Overview
Getting to the hotel is part of what makes it so memorable.
Arriving by private water taxi, pulling up to the dock, and stepping off directly onto the island feels like a completely different kind of hotel arrival. It’s not just transportation, it’s part of the experience, and honestly one of those moments that stands out as something you don’t get in most destinations.
The resort itself blends that setting with a more modern approach. Opening in 2015 and designed with a contemporary style, it feels different from many traditional Venice hotels. Instead of tight spaces and historic layouts, you get open grounds, multiple dining options, a full spa, and a range of activities, including a kids club and family-focused experiences.
At the same time, access to Venice is still easy. A complimentary shuttle boat runs regularly between the island and the city, making it simple to explore during the day and return to a quieter environment in the evening.
For us, that combination, city access with island separation, is what made this hotel stand out right away.
Getting There: Train + Private Water Taxi
We arrived in Venice via high-speed rail from Florence on Trenitalia, booking business class tickets, which were relatively inexpensive and made for a smooth transfer between cities.
From Venezia Santa Lucia Train Station, we arranged a private water taxi through the hotel, including a meet-and-greet service right at the platform. A representative met us holding a sign, escorted us to the dock, and within about 25 minutes we were at the resort. For our family of four with luggage, the cost was €260, booked through the hotel concierge before arrival.
It’s not inexpensive, but after arriving in Venice, it made a big difference. Instead of navigating water buses or walking routes with luggage, everything was handled, and it set the tone for the stay right away. We used a similar transfer for our departure to the airport, which kept things just as simple on the way out.
Getting Into Venice: Shuttle Boat Access
One of the biggest questions with staying here is how easy it is to get into Venice, and in practice, it worked very well. The resort offers a complimentary shuttle boat that runs regularly between the island and St. Mark’s Square. Boats depart about every 30 minutes from the hotel and arrive near the Royal Gardens, right in the heart of Venice.
The ride takes around 15–20 minutes, and once you get used to the schedule, it becomes a very easy part of the day. Instead of feeling inconvenient, it actually adds structure. You head into the city, explore for a few hours, and then return to a quieter environment. For us, that rhythm ended up being one of the biggest advantages of staying here.
Location and First Impressions
The biggest difference with this hotel is the location. The resort sits on a private island, accessed by boat, which immediately changes the feel of the stay. You spend your days exploring Venice, then return to a completely different environment in the evening. Instead of crowds and tight spaces, you get open grounds, fresh air, and a more relaxed pace. That contrast changes the experience more than you might expect.
Rooms: JW Retreats La Maisonette Loft
We stayed in a JW Retreats La Maisonette Loft, and it completely elevated the experience.
Set between the olive groves and canals, away from the main hotel building, the loft feels more like a private residence than a hotel room. The layout is split across two levels, with a living area on the ground floor that opens onto a private garden and wooden deck, and a separate bedroom upstairs. That separation made a big difference traveling as a family, giving us space to spread out and unwind after long days.
The loft also includes two full bathrooms (one on each level), a separate living room, and a sofa bed, making it a flexible setup for families.
The design is modern and minimal, which stands out in Venice, where many hotels lean more traditional. More than anything, the space felt quiet and private, something that’s hard to find in the city itself.
What Sets This Hotel Apart
The setting is what truly separates this hotel. Unlike traditional Venice properties, this is a full resort experience with landscaped gardens, open space, multiple pools, and a rooftop infinity pool overlooking the lagoon. For families, this changes everything. The kids were able to take advantage of the kids club, scavenger hunts, and even learned to cook, with a semi-private kids cooking class. Beyond that, the private island gave them space to run around and play, including areas set up for soccer and other activities.
Instead of constantly navigating crowds, there’s room to move and reset, something that’s almost impossible to find staying in central Venice. The kids had so much fun here, they still talk about this hotel to this day and ask when we can go back.
Dining Experience
Dining at the resort is well executed, with multiple options across the property. Breakfast is a strong start to the day, and having several on-site options makes evenings easier, especially after a full day in Venice when heading back into the city may not be as appealing as just staying on the island and enjoying dinner onsite.
The setting stands out just as much as the food, with outdoor dining areas that take full advantage of the lagoon views. We had dinner at Sagra Rooftop Restaurant, with panoramic vistas of the Venetian lagoon and the iconic city skyline, setting the stage for a truly special experience. The tiramisu dessert, which the kids were able to be help make at the table, was as unforgettable experience.
How This Fit Into Our Trip
Venice was one of the busiest and most unique stops on our Italy itinerary.
During the day, we focused on the core experiences:
Boat tour through the Grand Canal
Gondola and walking tour with Family Twist
Exploring St. Mark’s Square and surrounding areas
We also had lunch at Gio’s at the St. Regis Venice, right on the Grand Canal, which made for a great mid-day break.
What made this hotel work so well was the balance. After being out in the city, the kids had something to look forward to back at the resort, whether it was the pool, activities, or just having space to run around. That shift, from crowded city to open resort, completely changed the rhythm of the trip and made it that much more relaxing, combining the best of a city/resort stay. resort.
Overall Impression
The JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa offers a completely different way to experience Venice. It’s not about being in the center of everything, it’s about creating balance.
Between the private island setting, the water taxi arrival, the regular shuttle access into the city, and the added space of the Maisonette loft, the entire experience felt more relaxed and manageable. However, there are tradeoffs, as you’ll rely on boats to get in and out of Venice, and you won’t be able to step directly into the city. But for us, that separation is exactly what made the stay work.
If you’re looking for a more relaxed, resort-style experience in Venice, the JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa is one of the best options available. It’s not the traditional Venice stay, but it’s one that can make your overall trip significantly more enjoyable, especially traveling as a family.
