Hotel Palazzo Martinelli Dolfin

Hotel Palazzo Martinelli Dolfin Overview

First Impressions

Walking up to Hotel Palazzo Martinelli Dolfin, you immediately get that “hidden gem” feeling that Venice does so well. The entrance sits quietly along a typical Venetian calle in Santa Croce, and honestly, you might walk right past it if you’re not paying attention. But step inside and there’s this lovely sense of stepping back in time — the palazzo has kept its historic character without feeling stuffy or overdone. It’s a three-star property, but the bones of this old building give it a charm that newer hotels just can’t replicate.

Location & Getting Around

Here’s what I love about the Santa Croce location — you’re genuinely in Venice, not in some tourist bubble. The hotel sits in what’s consistently rated as one of the best areas in the city, and I can see why couples especially appreciate it (they apparently rate the location 8.6 out of 10). You’re close enough to walk to San Marco or the Rialto without the chaos of being right on top of them. The Piazzale Roma and train station are actually walkable from here, which means you won’t be dragging your luggage through endless bridges and stairs — trust me, that matters more than you think when you’re arriving with bags.

The Rooms

The rooms at Hotel Palazzo Martinelli Dolfin feel authentically Venetian without being overly themed. You’ll find traditional touches like terrazzo floors and period furniture, but everything feels lived-in rather than museum-like. The windows open onto either the canal or the courtyard, and there’s something really satisfying about hearing the gentle lapping of water or the distant conversations of locals heading to work. The bathrooms are updated enough to be functional, though don’t expect spa-level upscale — this is more about charm and character than modern amenities.

Breakfast & Daily Rhythms

Breakfast here is properly Italian, which means excellent coffee and fresh pastries rather than an international buffet spread. I actually prefer this approach — you get cornetti, good bread, local jams, and coffee that Italians would actually drink. The breakfast room has this lovely morning light, and you can watch the neighborhood come alive while you’re planning your day. It’s simple but done right, and honestly, isn’t that what you want when you’re in Italy?

Why Guests Love It

What really works about this place is how it strikes that balance between being authentically Venetian and practically comfortable. You’re staying in a real palazzo in a neighborhood where locals actually live, but you’re not sacrificing basic comforts or paying five-star prices. The 8.5 rating makes sense — it’s not trying to be something it’s not, just doing the fundamentals really well. For couples especially, there’s something romantic about the whole experience without it feeling contrived. You’ll end up with stories about discovering your favorite bacaro around the corner or figuring out the quickest route to avoid the tourist crowds, which is really what a good Venice stay should give you.

To book a hotel in Venice during Biennale openings, guests juggle Giardini previews with lagoon aperitivo cruises.

Hotel Palazzo Martinelli Dolfin Accommodations

Reviews of Hotel Palazzo Martinelli Dolfin

• Anish from United Kingdom – 31 March 2025 (9/10)

  Fantastic location, clean large modern property.

• Vana from Croatia – 28 March 2025 (9/10)

  The hotel is really nearby the people mover from the Tronchetto station which was very convenient for us.
  Our room was really nice and spacious but it was right next to the eating area so keep that in mind if you plan on sleeping late. We didn't have any problems because we got up early so there was no noise. Breakfast was really nice and we enjoyed it a lot.
  We left our luggage in the luggage storage all of the next day and that made our journey much simpler. The luggage storage is unattended but we didn't have any problems.
  Lady who works there is very approachable and kind and all of the information we needed were easily communicated through WhatsApp.
  Terrace is beautiful and we're sorry the weather wasn't better so we couldn't make a lot of use from it.

• Vladim from Slovakia – 27 March 2025 (9/10)

  Great communication, convenient location and the most comfy bed I ever had in hotels… If in Venice again we will come back to the property.

• Victoria from United Kingdom – 20 March 2025 (7/10)

  We chose this property for convenience as it’s located right by the bus terminal and we had to get on a bus at 6.30am so didn’t want to travel further into the city by boat. It was very convenient for travel and we were easily able to walk into the city and explore! Room was large and clean, and property seemed well looked after.
  
  What could be improved: The property itself is in a very quiet area and not the most pretty, which was fine for us as we like to walk and wanted the convenience of being near the bus terminal, but might not suit everyone. You need to walk down a very quiet, dark canal to reach the entrance which I wouldn’t have liked if I was travelling alone, but was fine with my partner.
  
  The room was large and clean but not as luxurious as it appeared online and there was lots of noise from the floor above very, very early in the morning. It sounded like people running back and forth and jumping on the floor like a gym?!
  
  We never saw any staff so couldn’t investigate further.

• Charlene from Singapore – 19 March 2025 (9/10)

  Quiet but easy to get around to other parts of Venice, also very near to the train station. Clean and comfortable.
  Also easy to move about after check out and stow our luggage at the lobby
  
  What could be improved: No reception as it is a no contact hotel, not really a bad thing just not used to it but it’s just unexpected.

• Emmanouil from Italy – 3 March 2025 (9/10)

  The place was very clean and you could notice it from the entrance. The cleaning lady was the most kindest and helped us a lot. The position is great if you want to stay close to the train station and also be close to the city centre. It is very quiet there as the tourists don’t pass by very often
  
  What could be improved: Maybe they could replace the luggage area which is open to anybody that has access in the entrance area with individual lockers with a code or even a key so that the guests don’t get concerned over the luggage. But don’t get me wrong there wan no incident nor we lost any of our it’s just a suggestion🙂

• Gabrisele from Italy – 16 February 2025 (9/10)

  Everything as described. The smart reception means there is no staff on site upon arrival but we contacted them and received an answer immediately. The room was big and comfortable, bathroom with window and possibility to adjust the thermostat. The room was warm and very clean. We found complementary water bottle and in the common area a cattle at disposal, not so common in Italy.
  
  What could be improved: Not much really. It’s Venice so prices are above average, but those complaining about the price may not be aware of the facilities that one can find in this city. In Venice city center this is a very good deal

• Helen from United States – 13 February 2025 (8/10)

  Exceptional large open floor plan room. Everything was renovated. The simple touches throughout the building was nice and slightly rustic and beautiful. Oh and it was warm! Most places aren’t so I appreciate how warm it was. Thank you.
  
  What could be improved: The restroom had a musky odor. But not a huge deal. Other may not like the rather remote location but was close to the bus station so ideal for my family. The luggage storage bin was nice given the hotel allowed you to use it for free but we run the risk of others within the hotel who could possibly take your stuff. During our time, I could tell there weren’t too many folks staying in the hotel so it wasn’t a big deal.

• Qrommak from Malta – 30 January 2025 (9/10)

  Close to San Marco parking, quiet street, interesting historical building, fully renowated, digital check-in and check-out, super responsive staff, amenities, size of the rooms, bathrooms and beds – everythings was nice

• Rajendra from India – 18 June 2023 (9/10)

  I like it too much,only need to checkin time earlier, it is a self check in hotel but need time of check-in some earlier

Surroundings

Facilities