Hotel Dona Palace

Hotel Dona Palace is a four-pearl property that dates back to the 14th century, and both exteriors and interiors reflect its history. The hotel entrance is down an alley, though guests often arrive via boat on the private landing in the garden courtyard. Inside the small lobby, jade-colored marble is used heavily in the front desk and inset into the floors. Matching velvet gilded chairs provide seating. Elevator service, which reaches all five floors leads guests to the rooftop. Here a terrace and hot tub for the hotel's Executive Suite can be found. Passing gondolas and boats can be seen from the courtyard and breakfast lounge that overlook the canal and the Bridge of Sighs. Despite the popular location, rooms are mostly quiet and suit leisure travelers looking for a central location and authentic Venetian experience. 

Nestled on a canal with a private boat landing, this hotel is beside the Bridge of Sighs and within easy reach of the main attractions. The popular location means there can be a lot of boat traffic, making it difficult at times for water taxis to dock. The restaurants, cafes, and shops that surround St. Mark’s Square and Doge’s Palace are within five minutes on foot. The Rialto Bridge and market can be reached in 10 minutes on foot. The Peggy Guggenheim Collection and Gallerie dell'Accademia are within a 15- to 20-minute walk. By water taxi or vaporetto (water bus), it’s 20 minutes to the Santa Lucia train station and about one hour to the Venice Marco Polo Airport.

While interiors vary, most of the guest rooms at Hotel Dona Palace feature antique-inspired decor in a crimson hue. Red leather tufted headboards, carved wood furniture with brass fixtures, and mirrors with heavy frames add to the historic atmosphere. But the carpets are a little worn and could use replacing. All rooms have air-conditioning, minibars, safes, and clunky flat-screen TVs. Windows or balconies overlook the courtyard, street, or canal. Most bathrooms have marble designs and showers or bathtubs; some have whirlpool tubs. 

Options include Double Rooms, larger Junior Suites with sitting areas, and an Executive Suite with slanted ceilings, a living room, and a two-person hot tub on the rooftop terrace, with panoramic views. With a separate bedroom, the Royal Suite features 16th-century wooden ceilings, lovely checkered Italian floors, a fireplace, and rich tapestries hanging over the bed. 

Hotel Dona Palace’s features are limited -- there's no full restaurant on-site -- but that isn't unusual for a small historic property in Venice. Still, guests can enjoy the bright breakfast lounge, which allows them to watch the passing gondolas from the terrace. A free morning buffet spread is offered and tea is served in the afternoons. A small wine bar sits beside the dining room and offers limited seating. There's more dining space in the garden courtyard, which has canal views, rattan chairs, and lots of trees and vines that create a secluded vibe. Cocktails and free appetizers are available in the courtyard. The hotel can arrange water taxi transfers with direct access to the property’s private landing. Free Wi-Fi is provided throughout the hotel, but service can be patchy.