JW Marriott Brings ‘La Dolce Vita’ to Italy

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Marriott International has announced plans to open a luxury resort on the private island of Sacca Sessola, located in the Venetian lagoon. The 266-room JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa will operate under a management agreement with an affiliate of Aareal Bank AG and is expected to open in 2014. Just a short boat ride from the beautiful city of Venice and in an unparalleled setting, the resort will be the JW Marriott brand’s first hotel in Italy and a world-class addition to its global portfolio of 59 luxury properties.JW Marriott is currently represented in Europe by five elegant hotels in London, Bucharest, Cannes and Ankara with the fifth joining just last year in Baku, Azerbaijan. Each hotel seeks to offer today’s discerning traveller an authentic, crafted luxury experience reflective of its locale.

“Introducing JW Marriott to Venice is an exciting time for the brand as the destination continues to be one of the most desirable in the world, famous for its stunning architecture, art, and culture,” said Amy McPherson, president and managing director for Marriott International in Europe. “We are delighted to offer our guests the distinctly unique setting of Sacca Sessola coupled with the elegance and intuitive service synonymous with the JW Marriott brand.”

“Northern Italy’s Venetian Lagoon is one of the world’s most picturesque destinations, and we are thrilled to bring the JW Marriott brand to such an iconic and thriving location,” added Mitzi Gaskins, vice president & global brand manager for JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts. “We look forward to bringing our guests’ passion points of Culinary, Culture and Well-Being to life at this beautifully appointed property through authentic, unique and enriching travel experiences.”

Nestled amongst Sacca Sessola’s expansive private gardens and olive groves, the JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa will feature 266 guest rooms and suites designed by renowned Matteo Thun & Partners of Milan, offering exceptional comfort and refined style. The tranquil and private setting will invite guests to relax and rejuvenate, and, in harmony with the brand’s emphasis on well-being, the resort will offer a health club, spa, and indoor, outdoor and rooftop swimming pools.

The resort will also offer exceptional dining experiences in an array of restaurants and bars as well as unique event and wedding space in the form of a beautifully restored church. In addition to attracting leisure guests, the hotel is expected to be popular with the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) market with over 13,000 square feet of meeting space across a variety of meeting rooms.

Daniel Fountain / 17.04.2013

Editor, Hotel Designs

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Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

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Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
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Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
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