An enchanting journey to discover Venice Lido’s Hotel Excelsior: its storied past and the legendary events that have sealed its renown, such as the exquisite Dinners in White hosted mere footsteps from its celebrated beachside cabanas.
The Hotel Excelsior Venice stands as a monument to the sublime art de vivre, where the romance of the Belle Époque and the glamour of international cinema intertwine with the sheer magic of the sea.
To step inside is to embark upon a voyage through time—the very same journey undertaken each year by Hollywood’s elite as they disembark at the hotel’s legendary private pier for the Venice Film Festival. It is here that our tale begins, unfurling the history of the Excelsior and one of its most spellbinding traditions: the all-white dinners held upon the sands (see next beach events schedule below).
The Dawn of a Legend on the Lido
At the turn of the twentieth century, the Venice Lido was a wild, untamed island of sweeping sand dunes and rustic orchards. Everything changed in 1908, when the visionary entrepreneur Nicolò Spada, alongside the Compagnia Italiana Grandi Alberghi (CIGA), inaugurated the Hotel Excelsior. Their ambition was nothing short of grand: to fashion the most luxurious seaside resort on the globe.
The inaugural gala on the 21st of July 1908 remains etched in history. Over three thousand distinguished guests from across the world—including aristocrats, royalty, and billionaires—gathered to celebrate the birth of a new playground for the international elite. From that moment on, its sands welcomed the likes of Sir Winston Churchill, the Duke of Windsor, Marlene Dietrich, and Barbara Hutton. It was on this very spot, upon the hotel’s spectacular terrace in 1932, that the inaugural Venice International Film Festival was born.
A Moorish Dream Between East and West
The Hotel Excelsior is an eclectic masterpiece entirely without peer. Created by the Venetian architect Giovanni Sardi, the edifice offers a monumental interpretation of the Venetian-Byzantine style, heavily infused with striking Moorish influences.
Among its most celebrated spaces is the Salone degli Stucchi, one of Europe’s most iconic ballrooms. Adorned with magnificent Murano glass chandeliers, its immense arched windows gaze out across the Adriatic Sea. It is here, with a sophisticated glass of sparkling wine, that many of the hotel’s most exclusive evenings commence.
The Cabanas and the Allure of the Beachside White Dinners
The true summer soul of the Excelsior reveals itself along its exclusive private beach, famed for its historic capanne (cabanas). These spacious, elegantly draped canvas structures are arranged neatly upon the golden sand, appointed with private verandas, sun loungers, and lounge seating to offer absolute sanctuary from the crowds.
Against this breathtaking natural backdrop, the Excelsior’s legendary Dinners in White come to life. A sublime summer ritual, the sands are transformed into an open-air grand salon, illuminated solely by the soft, ethereal glow of candles and moonlight.
During these highly exclusive soirées, sartorial elegance harmonises beautifully with nature. Guests are requested to dress strictly in white, creating a striking, magnetic contrast against the deep azure of the Adriatic Sea.
Tables are set directly upon the water’s edge, dressed in pristine linen tablecloths and sparkling crystals. Guests are treated to menus masterfully curated by the hotel’s chefs, who reimagine the finest Venetian and Mediterranean cuisine using the freshest local ingredients—from the bounty of the lagoon’s waters to the prized early harvests from the island orchards.
It is a matchless experience, punctuated only by the gentle whisper of the tide and the strains of live music, allowing guests to feel as though they have stepped directly into a cinematic masterpiece.
The Secret
There is one particular scene filmed at the Excelsior that has achieved mythical status: Sergio Leone’s masterstroke in his magnum opus, Once Upon a Time in America. In the film, the gangster Noodles, portrayed by Robert De Niro, chooses to enchant the love of his life, Deborah, by hiring the entire Salone degli Stucchi solely for the two of them. Their private dinner, set to the poignant melodies of Ennio Morricone, unfolds with the historic, softly lit pier visible just beyond the immense arched windows.
Useful Info
Hotel Excelsior Venice
Lungomare Guglielmo Marconi 41
30126 Lido, Venezia
Tel. + 39 041 5260201
Rooms: from 400 euro with breakfast
Next events:
Notte Bianca – Redentore Edition
18 July 2026, Excelsior Beach,
€200 per person – selected wines and beverages included
The evening will begin at 7:30pm with a welcome cocktail on the beach, followed by an immersive seaside dinner experience featuring both fresh seafood and premium grilled meats prepared live by our culinary team. Selected wines and beverages are included throughout the evening.
Event Schedule
7:30pm – Welcome cocktail on the beach
8:00pm – Dinner experience begins
10:00pm – Event concludes
Note:
Complimentary car parking or boat berthing is included with the experience.
Boat berthing is subject to vessel dimensions and availability and must be arranged in advance with our Concierge team.
Dress cold is white!
Il Mercato di Ferragosto
15 August 2026, Excelsior Terrace,
€290 per person – beverages not included
Guests will be welcomed to ten live cooking stations showcasing the very best of Venetian and Italian cuisine, with dishes prepared à la minute by our chefs. From the comfort of their reserved tables, guests will enjoy live music throughout the evening while overlooking a spectacular fireworks display above the beach.
Event Schedule
7:30pm – Event begins
Live music and culinary stations throughout the evening
Fireworks display over the beach
11:00pm – Event concludes
Note:
Dress code is summer chic!
Ferragosto by the Sand
15 August 2026, Excelsior Beach,
€200 per cabana
A unique barefoot luxury experience set directly on the beach.
Each cabana reservation includes access for two guests, plus complimentary admission for up to four additional guests. Guests will enjoy a privileged front-row view of the Ferragosto fireworks display from the comfort of their private cabana, accompanied by a welcome bottle of Prosecco courtesy of Hotel Excelsior.
Throughout the evening, a dedicated bar service will be available directly on the beach, allowing guests to enjoy cocktails, wines and beverages from the comfort of their cabana while taking in one of Venice’s most spectacular summer celebrations.
Event Schedule
9:30pm – Experience begins
Welcome bottle of Prosecco in the cabana
Dedicated beach bar service available throughout the evening
Front-row view of the Ferragosto fireworks
Experience concludes after fireworks
