Venice Dose Suite

Hotel Description

I remember stumbling upon the Venice Dose Suite kind of by accident last spring – I was wandering through Castello after getting off the vaporetto at San Zaccaria, you know, that stop right by the lagoon where the water buses churn up the salty air and the pigeons flock like they own the place. It’s tucked away on Calle del Dose, this narrow little alley that’s more residential than touristy, honestly a relief after dodging crowds in San Marco. The building itself is one of those classic Venetian palazzos with faded pink stucco and wrought-iron balconies – nothing flashy, but it feels lived-in, like it’s been welcoming travelers for ages. Check-in was a breeze; the owner, this chatty guy named Marco (I think?), handed over the keys with a quick rundown of the neighborhood spots – he even pointed me to a tiny bacaro around the corner on Calle della Madonna for cicchetti that aren’t overrun by day-trippers. Well, sort of – the lobby’s more like a cozy hallway with a couple of armchairs and that faint, musty canal smell that seeps into everything in Venice, but hey, it’s authentic.

What really won me over was how the place balances that old-world charm with just enough modern touches to make you comfortable without feeling like a chain hotel. My room was on the second floor – small, yeah, like most spots in Venice (space is at a premium here, I mean, the whole city’s sinking), but it had these high ceilings with exposed beams and a window overlooking the calle where you could hear the distant toll of church bells from Santi Giovanni e Paolo in the mornings. The bed was firm but comfy, sheets crisp like they’d just been ironed, and there’s a little kitchenette with a fridge and coffee maker – perfect for grabbing pastries from the bakery on nearby Campo Santa Maria Formosa and brewing your own espresso to save a few euros. Breakfast isn’t included, but they set up a simple spread in the common area with fresh cornetti and yogurt; nothing gourmet, but it hits the spot before you head out. Oh, and a heads-up: if you’re a light sleeper, the alley can get echoey at night with folks chatting on their way back from dinner – it’s lively, not rowdy, but earplugs might be your friend during high season in summer when Castello buzzes a bit more with locals and the occasional art crowd spilling over from the Biennale gardens. Parking? Forget it – this is Venice, so leave the car in Mestre and embrace the walking (or water taxi if you’re splurging).

All in all, if you’re looking for a spot that feels like a real slice of Venetian life without the San Marco price tag or chaos, the Venice Dose Suite is a solid pick – that 7.8 rating doesn’t lie, it’s earned through those little details that make you linger. It’s great for couples or solo travelers who want to explore the quieter side of the city, maybe stroll along the Riva degli Schiavoni at sunset or pop into hidden gems like the Libreria Acqua Alta bookstore just a short walk away. Sure, it’s not luxurious – no spa or rooftop bar – but that’s the point; it lets Venice shine through. I left feeling like I’d actually stayed in someone’s home, not just a hotel room, and I’d go back in a heartbeat, especially off-season when the fog rolls in and the whole area quiets down to that magical hush.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $165. Junior Suite with 1 large double bed for 1 – 2 guests

Reviews

• Lisa from United States – 14 October 2024 (9/10)

  We loved the location —so quiet, but just a few steps from shopping, restaurants, gelato and the Rialto Bridge.
  
  What could be improved: The shower stall was SO small, we joked about having to soap up just to get in…
  but other than that, we were very happy with the room and the service.

• Doreen from Australia – 29 September 2024 (8/10)

  The location,the awesome spa shower.

• Peter from United Kingdom – 31 August 2024 (8/10)

  Location was excellent. Close to all the main sites and a very short walk to an abundance of resturaunts. Easy to find and staff were very friendly

• Helen from United Kingdom – 25 August 2024 (9/10)

  Great location. Simple to find. Good size room. Masses of wardrobe space for a longer stay. Large bathroom with theme park shower which my OH loved. Very comfortable bed. Towels and toiletries provided. Shared fridge which wasn't great first thing in the morning having to retrieve the milk, but my other half didn't encounter anyone. Would definitely stay here again.
  
  What could be improved: Shared fridge in reception area. Only a minor issue but room is large enough to accommodate a small one in there. Other than that nothing.

• Emma from United Kingdom – 26 June 2024 (9/10)

  Lovely room, comfortable bed, lovely and clean, great location.
  
  What could be improved: Hard to open wardrobe, tight to side of bed.

• Victoria from United Kingdom – 5 June 2024 (9/10)

  The room was perfect for myself and my 17 year old. Comfortable bed, shower facilities and coffee/tea available in the room and clean. We arrived 2 hours early and took a chance to see if our room was ready and thankfully it was and could check in early.
  We used it as a base, we were out most of the day, the day of leaving we had a late flight so we were able to leave our cases in reception for as long as we needed. We were given spare keys to reception incase they were away from the desk. Very friendly on arrival.
  Close to St Marks Square and some lovely little shops in the alleys.
  Probably took us 20 mins walk to the Rialto waterbus but I have limited mobility so I do walk a lot slower.
  All in all a very good stay and would definitely stay here again.
  
  What could be improved: Nothing I would say I didn't like but was a little tricky to find as the sign outside wasn't very clear. That's the only thing I can think of as our stay was great.

• Lauren from United Kingdom – 31 May 2024 (7/10)

  Good location and room was clean.
  
  What could be improved: Air con didn’t seem to work well. Staff weren’t around much and we went back to get our bags and was told we couldn’t use the toilet.
  We stayed in the superior double which could do with an update. You couldn’t open the drawers in the wardrobe and there were screws in the wall.

• Natalia from France – 31 May 2024 (7/10)

  The place itself is very beautiful with very ambitious renovation. There is a nice courtyard where you can chill.
  
  What could be improved: Yet many things are sort of half working and slightly worn out. Note the late registration fee.

• Yvonne from Canada – 29 May 2024 (8/10)

  I liked that we had a ground floor room with a small patio garden area. We were two single ladies and it was nice not to have to carry heavy luggage up more stairs (unavoidable in Venice). We felt safe and secure.
  I also appreciated that we could leave our luggage in the office area after our checkout time to explore more of Venice.
  
  What could be improved: The room was small but adequate and was what I expected in this area of Venice.
  One of the plugs didn’t seem to work well so we used the bathroom plug to charge our phones.

• Samantha from New Zealand – 25 April 2024 (9/10)

  A great location, with a good-sized room. Host friendly and welcoming.
  
  What could be improved: Compact shower.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities