Review: Hotel al Duca di Venezia, a Hidden Gem
Planning a trip to Venice? This review of Hotel al Duca di Venezia is a hidden gem and a slice of the wonderful boutique accommodations in Venezia.
There are many Santa Croce hotels, however this fifteenth-century palace stands out. It served as the residence of the Al Duca di Venezia and was situated in the center of historic Venice among merchant residences and artisan stores. The accommodations at Hotel al Duca di Venezia are bright, spacious, and beautifully furnished.
A Review of Hotel al Duca di Venezia
The entrance to the hotel is on a quiet street that rarely sees high traffic. At the front desk, you will be warmly greeted by the staff, who speak excellent English. However, it’s always a good idea to learn a few essential Italian phrases when visiting Venice.
The check-in staff is top-notch, extremely helpful, and very welcoming. They will review your stay and all amenities, which include free daily breakfast, wi-fi, flat-screen TV, hairdryer, air conditioning/heating, microwave, mini-fridge, dishes, bath products, and a safe.
There are also maps available to help you get familiar with the area. Or read our Venice visitor’s guide for an overview of the area and things to see in each neighborhood.
The main building houses classic doubles, superior doubles, superior family rooms, and a suite. The dwellings are modernly furnished and located in separate buildings; staff will escort you to the apartment.
| 🛎 24-Hour Front Desk | 🚐 Airport Shuttle | 👪 Family Rooms |
| 🍴Onsite Breakfast | 🚭 Non-smoking Rooms | 🍸 Bar |
| 📶 Free Wi-Fi | 🛅 Luggage Storage | 🐈 Pets Allowed |
The Casanova Apartment, a one-bedroom annex, has a fully equipped kitchen, an eating area, a living room with a sofa bed, a bedroom with a king-sized bed, two flat-screen TVs, a large bath with double sinks, and a shower. The furnishings and décor will make you feel like an aristocrat.
The Casanova apartment is very affordable and equipped with all the comforts.
The living room is richly decorated in hues of cream and soft gold. The sofa has a rich velour texture and all the furniture perfectly complimented the décor. You can sit and relax in the dreamy space for hours.
The bedroom was nicely sized, slept comfortably, and looked attractive. The closet space was generous which made easy storage for suitcases.
There was an enclosed rear porch that could be accessed from the bedroom for extra storage.
The apartment ranks pretty high in comfort:
- Stable, strong, wi-fi that is easily accessible.
- Hot running water after multiple uses of the shower.
- Flat-screen TVs in different rooms, with plentiful channel selection.
- Responsive heating and cooling units that don’t keep you awake at night.
✅Check availability at the Hotel al Duca di Venezia
Since breakfast is available in the main building, you may not spend much time in the kitchen. However, you will enjoy the convenience of all that it offers. The nearest grocery store is less than a 5-minute walk at Campo S. Giacomo dell’ Orio.
The dining area is located in the main building where the daily breakfast is served buffet-style. You’ll find freshly baked pastries, yogurt, cereals, sliced meats and cheeses, fruits, water, various juices, and coffee. The food service is slightly above the standard continental breakfast found in America.
However, you may order additional items like pancakes or an omelet from the house menu. To accommodate the volume of guests, tables and seating are extended into the lobby area. Tip: Arrive before 8:30 AM local time for seating in the dining room.
How to Get to Hotel al Duca di Venezia
If you arrive in Venice by train (Stazione di Venezia Santa Lucia) it is a 15-minute walk on foot. You may be tempted to follow the crowd and cross the large Constitution Bridge (Ponte della Costituzione) but don’t!
When you exit the station and are facing the canal, go left and cross the bridge at Ponte degli Scalzi. If you use a GPS (eg. Smartphone) it may not be 100% accurate, especially if construction is underway. You might find that you’ve reached a dead-end where a path once existed.
Nonetheless, locals are happy to point you in the right direction. Follow the signs to the Museum of Natural History (Fontego dei Turchi), there is a one-minute walk between the two locations.
Walking with a lot of luggage will be a challenge; you can catch a water bus (Vaporetto) from the station instead. Take line 1 towards Rialto, and get off at the first stop, Riva de Biasio. A water taxi is another option, but it is more expensive.
Boutique hotels are smart, and artsy and are becoming more preferred by travelers. They frequently offer unique, localized experiences that are favored while exuding charm. And with accommodations like Hotel al Duca di Venezia, it’s easy to experience la dolce vita!
Final Thoughts on Hotel al Duca di Venezia
Hotels in Venice are plentiful and there is much to consider when choosing a hotel. For our family, the criteria are usually based on location, amenities, and price.
We thought this hotel hit all of our checkboxes. The price was reasonable. It is close to the best attractions, the amenities met our needs, the apartment was spacious and comfortable, and restaurants and grocers were a 7-minute walk in proximity.
This hotel is in a prime location in Venice because it is within walking distance to the tourism but on a very quiet street. It is elegant and the services are personalized. Hotel Al Duca di Venezia made an unforgettable stay for us and I’m sure travelers seeking an authentic and luxurious, but affordable, experience in the heart Venice will find what they are looking for at this hotel.
Safe travels.
