Place near Venice airport to wait for friends arrive and relax?

It's not a very big airport, but you could just hang out in the terminal. It's perfectly nice. And here's info on wifi:
https://www.veniceairport.it/en/at-the-airport/wi-fi-internet.html

And here's a glimpse inside the airport itself:
https://goo.gl/maps/tr92DdWwmYz

I believe that google photo is inside the departure gate area after security, so you will not be able to access it after you get off a plane and exit through "green door" of customs to the "landside".
There a couple of places on either end of the landside of the ground floor of the terminal, and one on the 1st (upstairs) floor, the Emporio del Grano, which is a sit-down restaurant.
https://www.veniceairport.it/en/at-the-airport/terminal-maps.html

Thanks so much to you both!! Very helpful information!

With 4 hours you could take the quick frequent cheap bus to Piazzale Roma in Venice and hang about people watching in Venice for 3 hours before hopping the bus back.

There are places to leave luggage at P Roma, the train station, and I expect - but don't know - at the airport. Who wants to schlep for 4 hours?

The bus is only cheap by Venice standards, 8 EUR each way, or 15 EUR round trip.

I'd go to your hotel and just drop off your luggage, [since it's too early to check-in, ] and use that time to start enjoying Venice!

I agree with Pat. You are in Venice. It is not rocket science for your friends to follow your footsteps to the hotel about 4 hours later. Find a bar, sit down in it as you face a canal, tell the cameriere that you would like a Prosecco, or better still, un sgroppino (don't worry, you'll love it) and watch the world go by for awhile. Text/call your friends, or leave a message at the hotel telling them where you are. Vacations are for vacating, not waiting in airports. ;-)

I would definitely do that if it were possible! Thanks for the advice, but the issue is I won’t be able to get into our air bnb u til after 3 (we are not allowed to leave luggage there early). That is the problem unfortunately. As much as I’d love to, it will be challenging to tour around with all of my belongings. Thanks for the help everyone!

Baggage check at train station is next to track 1. See the link: https://europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/venice-left-luggage.htm

Go for it, Steph, you know you want to...;-)

Haha! Thanks, that’s wxactly what I was looking for. Thank you!

There is also a bag storage place outside the station, just to the right as you face the station. “Keep Calm Luggage Storage”.

Could be quicker than the place in the station.

Thanks!! I’ll definitely check those options out! Leaving tomorrow. Thank you everyone!