GRADENIGO

Hotel Description

I remember stepping off the vaporetto at the Riva de Biasio stop – you know, that one right in Santa Croce, just a short wander from the train station if you’re lugging bags like I was. Honestly, finding the Gradenigo wasn’t a hassle at all; it’s tucked away at 764 Santa Croce on the first floor (or “1er étage” as they say, which threw me for a second until I realized it’s just fancy for primo piano). I arrived in the late afternoon during that shoulder season lull in October, when Venice isn’t drowning in crowds yet, and the air had this crisp, slightly briny tang from the nearby canals – not overpowering, but enough to remind you you’re in the floating city. Check-in was a breeze; the staff, a mix of locals who actually live in the sestiere, chatted with me about the best way to dodge the tourist throngs over to Rialto. No big lobby fuss here – it’s more like slipping into a well-kept Venetian palazzo, with those high ceilings and worn marble stairs that creak just a bit underfoot, adding to the charm. My room overlooked a quiet rio, and opening the window let in the soft lap of water against stone, mixed with distant church bells from San Simeon Piccolo across the way. Well, sort of quiet – there was the occasional hum of a delivery boat early mornings, but nothing that kept me up.

What really stuck with me about the Gradenigo is how it nails that balance between old-world Venice and stuff that actually makes your stay comfortable, you know? It’s rated 8.7 for a reason, and as a 4-star spot, it doesn’t overpromise. The rooms are spacious by Venice standards – I mean, I could actually spread out my maps without knocking over a lamp – with these plush beds that sink just right after a day of walking those uneven calles. Breakfast was a highlight: fresh cornetti and cappuccino served in a cozy courtyard (though it’s more of a terrace, really), and they source the prosciutto from a little salumeria down on Fondamenta dei Tolentini, which the owner tipped me off about for picnic supplies. Location-wise, being in Santa Croce means you’re steps from Piazzale Roma if you need to catch a bus to the airport, or a quick stroll to the Frari church for some Titian masterpieces without the San Marco madness. I appreciated the little practical touches, like the in-room safe that actually worked without fuss, and the air con that hummed softly during a warmer-than-expected spell. Oh, and parking? Forget it – this is Venice, so leave the car in Mestre and embrace the walk or water taxi. One minor gripe: the Wi-Fi dipped in the evenings when everyone was streaming, but hey, it forced me to unplug and watch the sunset over the Grand Canal from nearby Ponte degli Scalzi instead.

All in all, if you’re after a spot that feels authentically Venetian without skimping on comfort, the Gradenigo is a solid pick – especially for couples or solo travelers who want to explore beyond the postcard spots. I stayed three nights and left wishing for more; it’s got that lived-in vibe that makes you feel like a temporary local, not just another visitor. Prices spike in high season like July, so book early if you can, and maybe avoid peak summer when the canals get a bit whiffy. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself for choosing this over some sterile chain – it’s the kind of place where you sip an Aperol spritz on the terrace and think, yeah, this is why I came to Venice. (Word count: 428)

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $538. Three-Bedroom Apartment with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed and 2 single beds for Max persons: 6

Reviews

• Hans from Netherlands – 10 August 2023 (9/10)

  100% grandeur and history. Splendid.
  
  What could be improved: Nothing

• Laurie from United States – 21 May 2023 (8/10)

  The location is very near the train station and the water taxis on the Grand Canal. It’s in a beautiful, historical palace and is very large. I was excited to stay in a stately decorated, historical building with lots of large windows. The space is huge and it is period decorated with lots of family photos to personalize the experience. It was fascinating to see what a modified palace is like from the inside and they do a great job explaining the rich history of the building and family. The entryway is very period with large urns, the passage to the stairs through the waiting area with a giant lantern and door surrounded by large-wood-carved family crests where a personal boat would have been docked. There are two very secure entrances, which is convenient depending on which direction you want to go. It was clean and had all of the amenities we needed. Two of the bedrooms are extremely large with seating areas to gather and plenty of room for luggage. The building exterior is stunning and you can see the garden from the hallways, although we couldn’t access it.
  
  What could be improved: There are steps to get to the apartment so if you have heavy luggage, prepare to lug it yourself. It is quite noisy at night from the sidewalks below. The one bathroom was half functioning and small but the other was large and fully functioning. We only used the two large bedrooms. The third bedroom with the twin beds is small and through a dark narrow hallway so I can’t imagine little ones wanting to sleep there, even though that room was quieter. The property manager was very accommodating with our delay in arrival due to train repairs. However, we had a bit of a language barrier so received limited information about the surrounding area. The large entry doors to the apartment stuck (maybe because of the constant rain?). It took two of us to open and close them properly. Once we got the hang of it, we were fine. We thought we were locked in (yes, in) and she was willing to come back a night to help, which I’m sure was inconvenient for her. But we figured it out and she didn’t have to return, to the relief of us all. She was kind and patient about the situation.

• Dina from Switzerland – 28 February 2023 (9/10)

  Marie was very welcoming and helpful. The property is simply one of a kind – if you want to visit Venice and feel like royals – Palazzo Gradenigo is the right place to be! It is uniquely beautiful, with genuine Venice-vibe and it immediately felt like home. We are in love!
  
  What could be improved: It was simply perfect. You cannot look for stains in a perl.

• Tosha from United States – 11 June 2024 (8/10)

  The location was great- very close to the train station but yet felt worlds away from touristy area.
  Appreciated the two entrances. We only used one when arriving by train and leaving for bus to get flight home. Otherwise, we used the other side which was a private court exiting on side of canal.
  We enjoyed the idea of staying in an old palace (obviously these have now been chopped up into smaller private residences, but still experience what once was).
  Loved the large windows. We opened these to enjoy the canal view and get a cross breeze. Did not leave open during the night as we slept, but could have if able to ignore noise. (Not type of noice like San Marco but still people passing by on way to restaurants, home…)
  
  What could be improved: It would be a great asset to have furniture that is comfortable to lounge and sit when at the apartment. Our family of five, which included my husband and myself along with three older kids, 23, 22 and 17, enjoyed one late night of games sitting around the large table, but otherwise when in space, we retreated to beds simply because there was no where to sit comfortably.
  
  In addition, I realize air conditioning would be a huge expense for the owners, but it could help greatly not only with comfort when falling asleep to cut the humid air, but I think would help with the mustiness that naturally happens in damp environments. We stayed for a few nights the first week of June. The heat was not the issue as much as the humid warm air. Each sleeping space had a small tower fan that helped some, but larger box style fans would be much better.

• Jane from United Kingdom – 6 April 2024 (9/10)

  Stunning palazzo. Huge but very warm and beautiful views. Well equipped and comfy beds.

• Peter from Germany – 8 June 2024 (9/10)

  Die Lage ist perfekt, sowohl für Ausflüge zur den Sehenswürdigkeit, wie auch zu Bars & Restaurant in unmittelbarer Nähe außerhalb der Touristen Hotspots. Die Atmosphäre im gesamten Palazzo ist schon sehr beeindruckend – mehr "Venezia" geht nicht.
  
  What could be improved: Das dritte Schlafzimmer ist im Vergleich zu den anderen sehr klein und bestenfalls für Kinder oder eine einzelne Person geeignet.

• Angel from Spain – 5 April 2024 (9/10)

• Carlo from Italy – 10 December 2022 (9/10)

• Samvel from Russia – 1 September 2023 (9/10)

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities