More about Hotel Dona Palace
Dona palace ,a disappointing experience
by A TripAdvisor Member
Reading all the positive reviews about this hotel my wife and I decided to reserve for our 4th trip to Venice a suite for 4 nights icluding breakfast for 1640 Euros. A broken shower door and a not working whirlpool in a "tubelike" bathroom with exactly 50cm space to walk was bit of a surprise for us in thisso called "suite". When mentioned to the hotel staff about the repair needs, it was said to us that all of this misfunctions appeared just before we arrived, so there was no possibility to repair.During the 4 days no attempt to fix it could be observed by us , Yes it was also a bit of a surprise when we we were asked to pay 5 Euros for a fried egg for breakfast ,hadn't we booked breakfast buffet? The waitress said that due to the high taxes in Venice the hotel management started recently to charge for fried eggs,boiled eggs and some other "specials" like tomato juice, she found this embarassing herself but had to charge it. After this experience it could not surprise us that we were asked to pay 5 Euros fee for a 50 Euro traveller check and 20% mark up if we wanted the water taxi bill on our hotel bill (already marked up by 35% in case of cash payment).To close/open our safe in our room could take anywhere from 10 seconds to 15 minutes since the safe did not work properly, guess what reception told us:" It cannot be repaired, we just need to be a bit patient".As a general observation we can say tha the reception staff reacted either arrogant on our requests or was badly trained new in the job . We repeatedly were told that "this is everywhere like this in Venice" As a summary if a true enemy of mine would ask for a hotel reccomendation in Venice, Dona Palace would be my top choice.
Excellent hotel
by TripAdvisor Member DiscoStoo
We stayed at Dona Palace from 17th July for 4 nights. We had a junior suite which was superb, everything was immaculate and the service was very good. The hotel has a fanstatic location, literally 2mins walk from St Marks Sq. As mentioned in the previous review the thing that makes this hotel so special is the terrace. We did the same, sat out in the terrace late afternoon watching the gondolas go by. The bar is also very nice and relaxing. Breakfast was very good. All in all an excellent place to stay - highly recommended we would defiantely stay there again.
One thing to say, again agreeing with the previous review is the restaurant on the corner All Angelo, despite the 15% discount do not eat here. Service was terrible and food not much better!
Good choice
by TripAdvisor Member klsnyc
I stayed at the Dona Palace in June based largely on posts on this site. I had a Junior Suite which was large, as was the bathroom which had a separate tub/shower. The shower was tiny but nice to have. All windows overlooked the small canal the hotel is on, which is pleasant. The hotel has a lovely patio on the canal which is a great place to have a glass of wine in the late afternoon after a full day and watch the gondolas go by. And the air conditioning is some of the strongest I have ever experinced in Europe!
I took a water taxi to the hotel but I could see how it might be a tad confusing to find as others have said. Very close to San Marco though.
Only negative comment concerns the staff. The people in the breakfast room were pleasant enough and the bartender needs some time to warm up to you but the front desk staff mostly seemed annoyed that they were there and that you spoke to them. We hardly asked anything of them yet they were very cold.
Nice hotel in a central location though and worth a look.
A good experience
by TripAdvisor Member fromTX
We stayed at the Dona Palace for 3 nights in late July and were very satisfied with our selection. We had a Jr. Suite (chosen for the canal view) which was simply enormous. It would have been very large even without the extra sitting room. Both room and bath were well appointed and kept immaculately clean. The best thing about the Dona though, is its peacefulness. Despite being so close to the throngs at San Marco Square we had noiseless nights. Staff was not overly friendly, but professional and courteous in every way. While breakfast was very good with a more than adequate selection (and outstanding lattes), our only complaint lies there. On our third morning, the milk and the grapefruit juice they had standing in pitchers had turned. This was surprising given the high standards we had experienced til then. It being our last day, the hotel had already made a good enough impression on us, however had it been our first breakfast I probably would have been put off.
Venice: If you do go in the summer, be prepared for MASSES of tourists. There were so many that english seemed to be the spoken language in this particular Italian city. You must either have a sense of humor about this or choose a different time of year to visit. Still, taking time to walk in the back streets and squares will take you away from the hordes. The Dorsoduro was especially pretty and pleasant and a walk on the Zattere is lovely. We were advised not to visit Murano because of the heavy sales tactics there, but we did anyway. This was a worthwhile trip to a quiet and very quaint island, and despite the almost unbelievable number of glass stores we didnt experience any soliciting.
We didnt have much luggage and so used the Vaparetto to go to the hotel and then back to the Tronchetto parking garage where we had left our car. This was cheap, easy and relatively fast. Using the directions from previous reviewers on this site, we had no problem finding the hotel walking from San Marco Square.
Even with the crowds, the beauty of Venice itself will definitely be our most lasting impression!
A Great Find and So Central
by TripAdvisor Member anaqvi1
The Dona Palace is great little find and couldn't be more central yet it remains tranquil and quiet given that it is only 5 minutes away from the heaving masses of St Mark's Square.
Location
Tucked in a side alley where a "grotto" pizza restaurant neon is your only distinguishing feature it's very easy to miss. The entrance is very modest and you need to look for it. We rolled up in a water taxi from the airport which at 90e is a rip off but it does take you directly to the hotel quay and as it was raining and late so the alternative of a water bus and the 1hr 30min journey didn't thrill us. We tried to share the taxi but the taxi co-ordinator at the airport was having none of it so there is little alternative but to cough up.
Public areas
The hotel is quite small with around 80 rooms and the reception area is very small and cramped but the staff are very friendly.
There is a small courtyard which backs out directly to a canal and is pretty with some tables and chairs but a bar facility would have encouraged more people to sit outside.
The bar/lounge area (where breakfast is also served) is a grand high ceiling room and the drinks and snacks are very good value. Breakfasts were good with a choice of fresh fruit salad, scrambled egg, bacon, breads cereal etc.
The Room
Our room was lovely on the 4th floor with a canal view. The junior suite we had was large and very comfortable with a clean, modern and comfortable bathroom and a good shower - always a good measure for any hotel
The immediate Area
The central part of Venice is packed when we visited (early June) and it cannot be denied that this has an impact on one's enjoyment of the city and the its beauty. Also the somewhat cynical nature of those who benefit from the rampant tourism is a little galling at times - the gondoliers look completely bored and more interested in talking into their mobiles or other gondoliers, the prices must be most expensive in Italy and the tackiness of much of the tourist tat is also rampant. However, the city remains as one of the world's "must sees" and when the waters clear, the sun shines and the crowds momentarily thin out you are still left with one of the most beautiful vistas anywhere. Just go in the autumn/winter and hope for a clear day!
One of the best wine bars is the Cantione Gia Schiavi on Fondamental Nani, Dorsoduro where you can enjoy prosecco and crostini with both locals and the better informed tourists.
exceeded our expectations
by TripAdvisor Member joycelondon_England
We chose this hotel from the reviews on Tripadvisor and it exceeded all expectations. The situation, just along the canal from the Bridge of Sighs, is ideal - quiet but central. There is a little terrace on the canal where you can watch the gondolas go by and hear the serenades without spending a euro. It is worth spending the money for a junior suite - we had a huge room with a splendid bathroom. Make sure that you get a full canal view, not a sideways peep. Buffet breakfast is generous. Don't eat at any hotel in the vicitiny - try the Trattoria della Madonna, just by the Rialto.
Great Hotel for St Marks
by A TripAdvisor Member
Hard to find fault in this hotel for location, friendly staff, cost and cleanliness!
Easy to find and excellent for using as a base to explore Venice by foot or canal. A word of caution regarding the Hotels affiliated restaurants...the service and food are not up to the standards represented by a four star establishment! We tried 'La Canonica' on our first night and realised why the place was so quiet. Do not go to 'La Grotta', is about as much as I can say!
Try 'La Piscina' (Pensione La Calcina) literally on the Giudecca Canal in the Dorsoduro district.
However we will definitely go back and stay at the hotel.
Could be better
by TripAdvisor Member Galicia
I stay three lovely days in Venice, from July 17, I chose this Hotel by following the good rates of the Page. (Hotels(--): OK).
This is a lovely hotel near San Marcos, it was built as a Four Stars Hotel, but maintenance IS NOT. I was placed in the room which the shower-door IS STILL broken, some details of the room are not in accord: decoration of a door broken, there is any drawer to fit any shirt or clothing...
On the other hand, ambience is charming, quiet, breakfast room is marvellous and breakfast is enough for us. It is on a chanel, with a lovely terrace, and taxi service OK.
It is a Four Stars Hotel with service being two.
A couple from Spain.
Forum Posts
Directions please to Hotel Dona Palace
by Eimz
Will be arriving at Treviso airport at end of Jan.. flight (Ryanair)gets in at 9pm and we need to get to the Hotel Dona Palace Hotel near st Mark's Square. Any advice on most efficient and cost effective way of getting there would be much appreciated. Thanks
RE: Directions please to Hotel Dona Palace
by rocee
check out veniceforvisitors.com. the author give much information and links for transportation advice
RE: Directions please to Hotel Dona Palace
by rocee
and since you will be arriving so late it would be a good idea to confirm a late arrival with our hotel, if you have not already done so.
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