With the Venice Film Festival just around the corner (August 27-September 9, 2025), it’s only fitting that we delve into the historic hotels that have served as crucial backdrops for film festivals around the world—not merely the buzzy five-stars where celebrities like to stay, but bonafide landmarks whose corridors are steeped in all things New Wave and Hitchcock.
Take, for example, the Sundance Resort, which has served as a hub for the Sundance Institute, an independent filmmaking incubator, since 1981. Other institutions, like the Excelsior Venice, are filled with lore about famous movie stars that have made their mark on the hotel, from Greta Garbo to George Clooney. Whether they’re on the Palazzo del Cinema or the Boulevard de la Croissette, these hotels have played a major role in shaping the “Big Five” film festivals into what they are today. From Venice to Cannes, these are the time-honored hotels boasting a rich cinematic history.
