Hotel Palazzo Giovanelli e Gran Canal

Hotel Description

You know, stepping off the vaporetto at San Stae and wandering those narrow calles in Santa Croce, I wasn’t quite prepared for how Hotel Palazzo Giovanelli e Gran Canal just sort of sneaks up on you – it’s tucked right along the Grand Canal, but without all the flashy neon or crowds you’d get over by San Marco. I mean, Venice can feel like a tourist trap sometimes, especially in high season when the vaporettos are packed and everyone’s hauling luggage over bridges, but this spot? It’s in that quieter Santa Croce neighborhood, close enough to hop over to Rialto (just a 10-minute walk across the bridge) or duck into San Polo for some real cicchetti bars that locals actually frequent, not the overpriced ones. My first impression was pure magic: arriving by water taxi at dusk, with the canal water lapping against the old stone facade – it’s a 15th-century palazzo, after all, and you can feel that history in the creaky wooden beams and those massive Murano glass chandeliers that catch the light just so. Honestly, it smells faintly of aged wood and fresh linen inside, not that musty canal vibe you sometimes get elsewhere.

What really sets it apart, though – and I say this as someone who’s bounced around a few Venice hotels – is how it balances that old-world charm with stuff that actually makes your stay comfortable. The rooms? Mine overlooked the Grand Canal, and waking up to the sound of gondoliers calling out early in the morning (they start around 7 a.m., fair warning if you’re a light sleeper) was like living in a postcard. But it’s not all romance; there’s solid Wi-Fi that doesn’t glitch out like in some historic spots, and the bathrooms are modern with those rain showers that feel luxurious after a day dodging crowds. Breakfast is served in this garden courtyard – think fresh cornetti, prosciutto, and cappuccinos that hit the spot – though it can get a bit bustling around 9 a.m. in summer. Oh, and check-in was a breeze; the staff (mostly Venetians, from what I could tell) gave me tips on avoiding the tourist hordes, like taking the No. 1 vaporetto line for a scenic ride instead of walking everywhere. One minor gripe? The place has stairs leading up from the water entrance, so if you’re lugging heavy bags, ask for help – they have porters, but it’s not always immediate. Still, for a 4-star with a 9.2 rating, it’s spot-on; not overly fancy, but thoughtful touches like the evening turndown with a chocolate on the pillow make it feel personal.

All in all, if you’re coming to Venice and want somewhere that feels authentic without the isolation – Santa Croce is lively enough with spots like Campo San Giacomo dell’Orio nearby for a quiet aperitivo – this is it. I’ve stayed in pricier joints that felt stuffy, but here, it’s like borrowing a friend’s historic home on the canal. Well, a very well-kept one. Go in shoulder season, say April or October, when the crowds thin out and you can really soak it in without the summer heat or noise peaking. Trust me, you’ll leave thinking about when you can come back.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $457. Classic Double Room with 1 large double bed for 1 – 2 guests
• Estimated price from: $547. Double Room with Garden View with 1 large double bed for 1 – 2 guests
• Estimated price from: $887. Double or Twin Room with Canal View with 1 large double bed for 1 – 2 guests
• Estimated price from: $969. Junior Suite with 1 single bed and 1 large double bed for 1 – 2 guests
• Estimated price from: $1,361. Junior Suite with Canal View with 1 extra-large double bed and 1 sofa bed for 1 – 2 guests
• Estimated price from: $1,736. Suite with Canal View with 1 large double bed for 1 – 2 guests

Reviews

• Dermot from Ireland – 3 February 2025 (9/10)

  This is a superb hotel in a great location with really nice and attentive staff
  
  What could be improved: Absolute nothing

• Dasia from United States – 17 November 2024 (8/10)

  Staff was extremely welcoming and friendly. Super close to the water taxi
  
  What could be improved: The location. I would’ve liked to be on the other side of the water. Otherwise no complaints…Ty!

• Shyam from India – 2 November 2024 (9/10)

  Great service from the hotel staff, well maintained property with facilities.
  Breakfast was also great and kudos to the staff for making our stay memorable.

• Gladys from United States – 19 October 2024 (9/10)

  Breakfast was very good, especially the croissants. The staff was friendly and informative. We loved the location of this hotel. The patio was very welcoming.
  
  What could be improved: That the hotel did not have a restaurant.

• Michael from United States – 13 October 2024 (8/10)

  The staff was great, breakfast was excellent and the hotel bar was especially nice.
  
  What could be improved: It’s a bit far removed from the “center of Venice” so it was a ten minute walk to get to restaurants, sights, etc.

• Marise from Australia – 29 September 2024 (9/10)

  Good location, close to restaurants, shopping. The staff were very helpful, organised my taxi to airport, offered to make me a takeaway breakfast. Overall a great place to stay.

• Harris from United States – 4 September 2024 (9/10)

  Staff was awesome and the room was beautiful

• Daniel from Austria – 21 August 2024 (8/10)

  Palazzo Giovanelli is incredibly well located in S. Polo, the heart of Venice on the Grand Canal. Facilities very good, we were upgraded to a new room, with a great marble bathroom. Giovanelli breathes the old flair of the lagoon city, which is missing in many touristy parts of the city. Cafés and bars at good prices and used by the locals round off the intimate flair. Rialto is within easy walking distance, if you absolutely need the crowded St. Mark's Square in August, you are also there (vaporetto in front of the door). Many real sights on the doorstep (like Antonio Canova's tomb). top Additional info, for the Austrian and musicologist: W. A. Mozart and his father lived for 4 months as guests in the Palazzo Giovanelli. Cool. We will be back.

• Karen from Australia – 25 July 2024 (9/10)

  Room was very good, very clean spacious and comfortable.
  
  What could be improved: Breakfast as it was not self service.
  No tea or coffee facilities in the room.

• Angela from United States – 15 July 2024 (9/10)

  Location and staff
  
  What could be improved: Nothing

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities