JW Marriott Venice
Venice, Italy
Venice is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, but travelling here with kids can come with real challenges. Summer heat, heavy crowds, lots of walking, and countless bridges can make long sightseeing days tough for little legs. Staying at the JW Marriott Venice helps solve many of those issues by giving families a quieter, more spacious home base just minutes from the city by boat.
The hotel sits on its own private island, reached by a James Bond-style private boat transfer that feels like you’re in a movie. After that, the complimentary shuttle takes about 15 minutes, making it easy to dip in and out of Venice without committing to full days in the city. For kids, the island setting is a huge win. There’s a family pool, splash pad, playground, and a thoughtfully run kids’ programming, including a LEGO-themed kids club and even a soccer camp coached by World Cup champs like Gianluca Zambrotta and Javier Saviola. From arrival, our kids were made to feel welcome with balloons, t-shirts, and Venice-themed LEGO kits waiting for us in our room, plus extras throughout the stay like children’s menus, ice cream carts, and outdoor movie nights.
For parents, the rhythm of the stay is what makes everything click. Families can head into Venice early, explore while it’s cooler and calmer, then return by midday when crowds and heat peak. While kids are happily at the kids’ club, parents can spend time at the adult-only rooftop infinity pool, book a spa treatment, or just enjoy a quieter afternoon on the island. Evenings can mean heading back into Venice for golden-hour strolls or staying put for dinner (which is an easy choice because the dining here is excellent). The rooftop restaurant in particular is a standout with panoramic views over the city and some of the best pasta we had in Italy, as well as the relaxed in-house pizzeria that all the kids loved.
See more from our stay on Instagram.