10/10
Excellent place
Venice · head to head
The Gritti Palace vs JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa
Priced on the same night, 2026-10-10: JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa is $3,262 a night less. They are 2.9 km apart.
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The honest take
The Gritti Palace sits directly on the Grand Canal steps from St Mark's Square and costs $3,004 a night with breakfast included, against $574 at the JW Marriott on its own private lagoon island. The Marriott has the far larger guest count (965 reviews to 102) and the resort facilities — three pools, a rooftop, a bar scene, pets allowed — none of which the Gritti offers. If the point of Venice is walking out the door into the city itself, book the Gritti; if you want a resort with a boat ride into town, book the Marriott and save well over $2,000 a night.
The look and the feel
The Gritti Palace
The Gritti is a 15th-century palazzo on the Grand Canal, restored under a scheme overseen by designer Chester Jones, all damask walls, Murano glass chandeliers and Fortuny fabrics in deep reds and golds. Hemingway drank at its bar, and the terrace restaurant, Club del Doge, puts you eye-level with gondolas and the domes of Santa Maria della Salute. Rooms are compact by resort standards but dense with pattern and history — parquet floors, gilt mirrors, brocade headboards. The crowd is older, monied, here for the address as much as the hotel.
Travellers who want to be inside historic Venice itself, on the Grand Canal, and are paying for that address and atmosphere.
JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa
The JW Marriott occupies its own island, Isola delle Rose, a former convent and hospital site converted into a modern resort with gardens, olive groves and a small chapel. Interiors read as clean contemporary Italian — pale stone, timber decking, glass — built for space rather than period atmosphere. Three outdoor pools, a rooftop restaurant with lagoon views, and a private launch to St Mark's Square define the experience more than any single room. It draws families and groups who want resort amenities with Venice as a day trip rather than a doorstep.
Families or groups who want pools, space and resort facilities, and don't mind a boat ride to reach the city centre.
At $574 the JW Marriott gives up the Grand Canal address and the Gritti's included breakfast, trading proximity to St Mark's Square for scale and resort amenities the Gritti simply doesn't have.
The Gritti is the more beautiful place to be — a genuine Venetian palazzo with centuries of pattern and light on water, rather than a well-run modern resort on reclaimed land.
The numbers
| The Gritti Palace | JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa | |
|---|---|---|
| Price, same night | $5,310 | $2,048 |
| Guest rating | 9.4/10 | 9/10 |
| Reviews | 102 | 965 |
| Stars | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Facilities on our list | 3 | 6 |
| Distance apart | 2.9 km |
What one has that the other doesn't
Only The Gritti Palace has
- Breakfast
Only JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa has
- Pool
- Pet
- Rooftop
- Bar
What guests actually say
The Gritti Palace
- exceptional, attentive service
- superb rooms and breakfast
- staff anticipate guests' needs
“One word - awesome. Staff are able to read your mind in terms of understanding your needs!”
JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa
- exceptional, attentive staff
- island location away from crowds
- rooftop pool and view
- small or dated pool areas
- slow service at times
“Such a fun location on the island - shuttle ferry to Venice really gives the feel of just how water based everything is”
Guests at the Gritti Palace come away happier overall, as its reviews are near-unanimous praise with no recurring complaints, while the JW Marriott, though loved for its setting and staff, draws repeated gripes about pool upkeep and slow service.
Rooms & rates, 2026-10-10
The Gritti Palace
- Sestiere SuiteBreakfast Included$4,772
- Sestiere Suite(1 King Bed)Breakfast Included$4,772
- Sestiere SuiteBreakfast Included · free cancellation$4,901
JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa
- Double Deluxe Garden ViewBreakfast Included$2,048
- Twin Deluxe Garden ViewBreakfast Included$2,048
- Deluxe Double Room (Full Double Bed)Breakfast Included$2,143
In guests' own words
The Gritti Palace
10/10
Exceptional facilities and team! Thank you!
10/10
The Gritti Palace never ceases to astound. It is is a hotel like no other, where the service is of the highest quality
JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa
7/10
“Lovely hotel, in a beautiful location. Great room!”
The island was just gorgeous, it was an oasis after the hustle and bustle of the main island. The adult only pool was fantastic with a view across to St Mark’s! The staff were exceptional from Vincenza at reception to Teresa in the breakfast area. Nothing was too much trouble!
The bathroom amenities, we had to ask for extra shower caps, rather than them being replaced. The fruit at the breakfast buffet was the same for 5 days( rockmelon and pineapple). Perhaps some watermelon would be nice as a change.
8/10
“Heerlijk verblijf maar wel erg amerikaans”
De ligging is top! Zeker met kids kan je naar de stad en er weer uit.
De family pool is echt mega klein en is ver weg gestopt. Gezien de oppervlakte van het hotel is het een grap.
10/10
“A Wonderful Stay with Just One Small Area for Improvement”
We had a fantastic stay at the JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa and would happily recommend it to anyone looking for a luxurious escape in Venice. From the moment we arrived, the staff were exceptional. Check-in was warm, attentive and professional, making us feel genuinely welcome. We stayed in a beautiful Junior Suite, which was spacious, stylish and immaculately presented. We did have one minor maintenance issue
About each
The Gritti Palace
Indulge at the Full-Service Spa Unwind with a rejuvenating massage at the on-site spa for a truly relaxing experience during your stay. Exquisite Dining Experience Experience authentic Italian cuisine at the renowned Club del Doge restaurant or opt for the convenience of 24-hour room service, ensuring your culinary desires are always met. Central Location &…
Check-in — · Check-out 12:00 PM
JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa
Luxurious Island Retreat Lagoon-View Spa and Outdoor Pools Indulge in relaxation at the lagoon-view spa and take a dip in one of the three outdoor pools. Culinary Delights and Scenic Views Savor Venetian cuisine at the rooftop restaurant or enjoy a meal by the pool at the family restaurant. With four restaurants and three bars on site, culinary options are…
Check-in — · Check-out 12:00 PM
Facilities, in full
The Gritti Palace
- Elevator
- Conference space
- Golfing nearby
- Snorkeling nearby
- Sailing nearby
- Water skiing nearby
- Breakfast available (surcharge)
- Safe-deposit box at front desk
- Multilingual staff
- Free newspapers in lobby
- Full-service spa
- Smoke-free property
- Wedding services
- Tours/ticket assistance
- Free wired internet
- Turkish bath/Hammam
JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa
- Fitness facilities
- WiFi available
- Free WiFi
- Non-smoking rooms
- Air conditioning
- Fitness center
- Swimming pool
- 24-hour front desk
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Business center
- Heating
- Terrace
- Family rooms
- Garden
- Pets allowed
Where they are
Campo Santa Maria Del Giglio O Zobenigo, Venice, VE, 30124Isola delle Rose, Laguna di San Marco
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Rates are live for 2026-10-10, one night, two guests, fetched together so the two are comparable. Facilities and reviews are from each hotel's own listing. The honest take is written by our AI from the listing, the reviews and what is widely known about each hotel. HotelDupe earns a commission if you book, which never changes the verdict. All comparisons