The InterContinental Venice hotel is finally here – as a Radisson

This is a coincidence. In my article last weekend about the new Radisson (ex-Moxy, eg-Hyatt) at Gatwick Airport, I explained why we usually don’t write about hotels not due to open for 3-4 years. Partly because it’s boring, but partly because the hotels often never happen.

The example I gave was InterContinental Venice. Announced in 2016, IHG staff kept telling me that it was still happening. It turns out that they were right – the hotel IS still happening. It’s just not an InterContinental any longer.

As you can see here on radissonhotels.com, the ‘Radisson Collection Hotel, Palazzo Nani Venice’ is due to open at the end of August.

Amusingly, the press release issued in 2016 by InterContinental is still on the IHG website – you can read it here.

It talks of a 2018 opening date. An IHG bigwig said:

“We’re delighted to be partnering with Cordifin S.p.a to bring the first InterContinental hotel to Venice.  It’s great to see momentum behind the brand continuing as we get set to celebrate its 70th anniversary this year.  InterContinental Venice – Palazzo Nani will be a great addition to the InterContinental family, offering guests an unforgettable experience in a city loved by millions around the world.”

The developers, meanwhile, said:

“The InterContinental brand is the pinnacle of luxury and complements our existing portfolio perfectly.“

Or not.

Is this the right project for Radisson?

I think this would have been a good project for InterContinental, or possibly switched over to Regent. It would have sat alongside InterContinental Amsterdam as a boutique-scale luxury hotel in a popular tourist centre.

But Radisson Collection? The main Radisson brand is seen as downmarket in its core US market. It has a better reputation in Europe via Radisson Blu but I doubt people expect luxury when they book into one.

52 rooms is also very small for what is still a niche and developing brand like Radisson Collection.

Is this really the best that the developers could come up with? After all, they have a newly restored palazzo with direct canal views in one of the great tourist centres of the world.

The upside is that this hotel should be excellent value for Radisson Rewards points. This is especially true for anyone with a large stash of American Express Membership Rewards points, due to the generous 1:3 conversion rate.

Points rates are not yet loaded, however, so it isn’t clear exactly how good the value will be.

There is an equally small (89-room) high-end Milan property about to open under the Radisson Collection brand – Palazzo Touring Club Milan, click here. It is possible that there is shared ownership or some other link with Venice.

The Milan hotel is bookable for points. It is 70,000 points for a hotel with base rates of around €250, which is what I expect from Radisson Rewards (eg 0.33p per point).

It’s a real shame that we won’t be seeing an InterContinental in Venice, however.

The Palazzo Nani hotel website is here.

PS. One place we WILL be seeing another InterContinental in Barcelona. The Crowne Plaza Barcelona Fira Center is changing brands and already shows as InterContinental Barcelona – see here. It isn’t clear what internal upgrades will accompany the brand change.

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How to earn Radisson Rewards points and status from UK credit cards (April 2025)

Radisson Rewards does not have a dedicated UK credit card. However, you can earn Radisson Rewards points by converting Membership Rewards points earned from selected UK American Express cards.

These cards earn Membership Rewards points:

• American Express Preferred Rewards Gold (review here, apply here) – sign-up bonus of 20,000 Membership Rewards points converts into 60,000 Radisson Rewards points. This card is FREE for your first year and also comes with four free airport lounge passes.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

• The Platinum Card from American Express (review here, apply here) – sign-up bonus of 50,000 Membership Rewards points converts into 150,000 Radisson Rewards points

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

• American Express Rewards credit card (review here, apply here) – sign-up bonus of 10,000 Membership Rewards points converts into 30,000 Radisson Rewards points. This card is FREE for life.

Membership Rewards points convert at 1:3 into Radisson Rewards points which is a very attractive rate.  The cards above all earn 1 Membership Rewards point per £1 spent on your card, which converts to 3 Radisson Rewards points.

Even better, holders of The Platinum Card receive free Radisson Rewards Premium status for as long as they hold the card.  It also comes with Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Gold and MeliaRewards Gold status.

We reviewed American Express Platinum in detail here. You can apply here.

Got a small business?

You can get free top-tier Radisson Rewards VIP status with the new Capital on Tap Pro Visa credit card for small business. Clck here to apply.

Capital on Tap Pro Visa

10,500 points (=10,500 Avios) plus good benefits Read our full review