The Glittering Arrival: Celebrities Descend on Venice for the 83rd Film Festival
Each September the Venice International Film Festival transforms the historic lagoon city into a runway of glamour, drawing actors, musicians and supermodels from every corner of the globe. In 2026 the 83rd edition welcomed a familiar parade of faces, from Kendall Jenner stepping off the vaporetto in a crisp white ensemble to George and Amal Clooney arriving in matching black attire. The festival’s red carpet, laid out beside the shimmering waters of the Lido, has become synonymous with high‑profile sightings and whispered conversations about where the stars choose to rest their heads after a day of premieres. This year’s lineup reinforced Venice’s reputation as the ultimate destination for those who seek both cinematic prestige and discreet luxury.
Hotel Excelsior Venice: The Historic Heartbeat of the Festival
For nearly a century Hotel Excelsior Venice has served as the official hub of the festival, a role it first assumed in 1932 and has maintained with only brief interruptions. The property sits on the Lido island, offering direct access to the festival’s main venue and a private beach that has hosted countless photo shoots over the decades. Its architecture blends Belle Époque grandeur with modern comforts, featuring turreted façades, domed roofs and expansive terraces that overlook the Adriatic. After a three‑year closure for extensive renovation, the hotel reopened in 2025, unveiling refreshed suites that retain the original striped aesthetic while incorporating contemporary amenities such as smart climate control and spa‑grade bathrooms.
Aman Venice: Secluded Luxury Preferred by the Clooneys
When the paparazzi flash becomes too intense, many A‑list guests retreat to the quieter confines of Aman Venice, a resort housed within the historic Palazzo Papadopoli on the Grand Canal. The property offers only twenty‑four rooms, each designed to provide a sense of intimate seclusion with hand‑crafted furnishings, marble bathrooms and panoramic views of the waterways. George and Amal Clooney have long favored this enclave; they not only stay there during the festival but also celebrated their wedding at the palazzo in 2014. The resort’s emphasis on privacy is reinforced by a private entrance, discreet staff service and a layout that minimizes sightlines from the bustling canals.
Hotel Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel: A Timeless Retreat on Giudecca
Situated on the eastern tip of the Giudecca island, Hotel Cipriani offers a tranquil alternative to the lively Lido scene. Its gardens, olive groves and private pool create an oasis that has attracted legends such as Sophia Loren and Cary Grant for decades. In recent years the hotel has welcomed contemporary stars including Jennifer Lawrence and Lady Gaga, who appreciate the short boat ride to the festival venues combined with the feeling of being worlds away from the crowd. The property’s classic Venetian architecture, with its pastel façades and arched windows, is complemented by modern luxuries like a Michelin‑starred restaurant and a world‑class spa.
Beyond the Red Carpet: How Celebrity Stays Shape Travel Trends
The accommodation choices of festival regulars often ripple outward, influencing broader travel patterns among affluent tourists. When a high‑profile couple selects a particular hotel, travel advisors note a spike in inquiries for that property, especially during the shoulder seasons when visitors hope to emulate the star experience. The renewed interest in Hotel Excelsior following its 2025 reopening exemplifies this effect, with booking platforms reporting increased searches for Lido‑based accommodations in the months after the festival. Similarly, the Clooneys’ association with Aman Venice has contributed to a rise in demand for private palazzo stays along the Grand Canal, prompting several rival properties to enhance their privacy offerings.
Practical Tips for Travelers Wanting a Taste of the A‑List Experience
For those inspired to stay where the stars stay, advance planning is essential. Rooms at Hotel Excelsior, Aman Venice and Hotel Cipriani tend to sell out months ahead of the festival, particularly for suites with festival‑view balconies or private terraces. Travelers should monitor the hotels’ official websites for opening dates of their reservation calendars and consider setting up price alerts. Flexibility with travel dates can also yield better rates; arriving a few days before the festival opens or staying a few days after the closing ceremony often provides access to the same luxury at a lower cost. Additionally, many of these hotels offer curated experiences such as private gondola tours, wine tastings in historic cellars and guided walks through lesser‑known Venetian neighborhoods.
Cost Considerations and Budget‑Friendly Alternatives Near the Lido
Luxury accommodations in Venice during the festival season command premium rates, with nightly prices frequently exceeding six hundred dollars for standard rooms and climbing into the thousands for suites or villas. Travelers on a tighter budget can still capture the festival atmosphere by exploring options just outside the immediate Lido zone. Boutique guesthouses on the island of Murano, family‑run bed‑and‑breakfasts in the Dorsoduro district, and well‑located Airbnb apartments often provide comfortable lodging for under two hundred dollars per night while remaining within a short vaporetto ride of the festival venues. Early booking and travel during the weekdays rather than the weekend can further reduce expenses.
Looking Ahead: What the 2027 Festival Might Bring
As the 83rd edition concludes, industry observers are already speculating about the 2027 Venice International Film Festival. Continued investment in the Lido’s infrastructure, including potential upgrades to the festival palace and improved public transport links, could make the event even more accessible to international guests. Hotel Excelsior’s management has hinted at additional wellness facilities slated for completion by late 2027, while Aman Venice is reportedly exploring a limited‑edition culinary series that would showcase regional Veneto ingredients. For travelers, the evolving landscape suggests that the blend of historic charm and modern comfort that defines the current celebrity‑favored hotels will likely persist, offering fresh reasons to return year after year.
FAQ
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Which hotel is most closely associated with the Venice Film Festival? Hotel Excelsior Venice has hosted the festival’s main events and red carpet activities since 1932, making it the historic heart of the celebration. Its recent 2025 renovation restored the property’s iconic striped suites while adding modern comforts, and it continues to attract celebrities such as Claire Foy, Kate Mara and Maggie Gyllenhaal.
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How can I book a stay at Aman Venice during the festival? Reservations at Aman Venice open up to twelve months in advance and are handled directly through the resort’s website or via trusted luxury travel agents. Because the property offers only twenty‑four rooms, availability for festival dates becomes limited quickly; setting up a calendar reminder for the opening of the booking window and being ready to act immediately improves your chances of securing a room.
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Are there more affordable ways to experience the festival atmosphere? Yes. Staying in neighborhoods such as Dorsoduro, Cannaregio or on the nearby island of Murano provides convenient vaporetto access to the Lido while often cutting accommodation costs by half or more. Many travelers also opt for shared apartments or boutique hostels that offer private rooms, allowing them to enjoy the festival’s energy without the premium price tag of the flagship hotels.
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What transportation options exist between the festival venues and these hotels? The Lido is served by frequent vaporetto (water bus) lines that stop at the Excelsior landing stage and at points near Aman Venice and Hotel Cipriani. Travelers can purchase a daily or multi‑day transport pass, which grants unlimited rides on the public water network. Private water taxis are also available for quicker, more direct transfers, though they come at a higher cost.
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Do any of these hotels offer special festival packages? Both Hotel Excelsior and Hotel Cipriani have historically offered curated festival packages that include benefits such as priority red‑carpet access, complimentary tickets to select screenings, and exclusive after‑party invitations. Aman Venice tends to focus on bespoke experiences rather than packaged deals, arranging private gondola tours, wine tastings in historic cellars, and personalized wellness treatments upon request.
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