Marriott 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 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.”

Nestled among 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.