Venice is kinda famous for being a tourist trap these days. You know the drill: elbowing through crowds at the Rialto, paying 20 bucks for a mediocre spritz, and feeling like you're in a theme park rather than a 1,000-year-old city. But if you head north into the Cannaregio district, things change. The air gets quieter. The tourists thin out. And right there, tucked away in a 17th-century palace, is the NH Collection Grand Hotel Palazzo dei Dogi.
Honestly, most people miss this place because it’s not right on the Grand Canal. That’s their loss.
Staying here isn't just about a bed; it's about reclaiming the "old Venice" people actually want to see. The building—the Palazzo Rizzo-Patarol—has lived many lives. It’s been a monastery, a posh noble residence, and even the French embassy. Today, it’s one of the few spots in the city where you can actually breathe.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Location
"It's too far away."
I hear that a lot. People think if they aren't sleeping within earshot of the St. Mark’s Basilica bells, they’re missing out. But here’s the reality: Venice is tiny. You can walk from the hotel to the heart of the city in about 20 to 25 minutes.
Plus, the hotel runs a private shuttle boat to St. Mark's Square. You get to arrive like a movie star on a sleek water taxi instead of being crammed onto a public vaporetto like a sardine.
👉 See also: Atlantic Puffin Fratercula Arctica: Why These Clown-Faced Birds Are Way Tougher Than They Look
Cannaregio is where the locals actually live. You’ll find artisanal workshops, quiet wine bars (bacari), and the Madonna dell’Orto church—which houses some of Tintoretto’s best work—just a few hundred yards away. It’s authentic. Basically, you get the luxury of a five-star palace without the headache of the "tourist Disneyland" vibe.
The Secret Garden (Seriously, It’s Huge)
Venice is a city of stone and water. Finding a blade of grass is usually like finding a needle in a haystack.
The NH Collection Grand Hotel Palazzo dei Dogi has a secret weapon: a 2,000-square-meter botanical garden. It is officially one of the oldest and largest private gardens in Venice.
Walking through it feels surreal. There are winding paths, marble statues, and even an old icehouse (a ghiacciaia) from centuries ago. It looks out toward the lagoon, giving you a view of Murano and San Michele in the distance.
I’ve seen guests just sit there for hours with a book. In a city where space is the ultimate luxury, having a massive green oasis behind your hotel is a total game-changer. It’s the reason so many people choose this spot for weddings.
✨ Don't miss: Madison WI to Denver: How to Actually Pull Off the Trip Without Losing Your Mind
Venetian Luxury Without the "Grandma's House" Vibe
We’ve all seen those Venetian hotel rooms that look like they haven’t been updated since the 1700s. Heavy dust, itchy brocade, and weird smells.
Thankfully, the hotel finished a massive renovation in 2023.
They kept the good stuff: the original Murano glass chandeliers, the Carrara marble, and the towering ceilings. But they swapped the "stuffy" for "sophisticated." The 64 rooms now have a neutral, warm palette that feels light and airy.
- The Presidential Suite: It has private garden access. Celebrities like the Dalai Lama and Sharon Stone have stayed here, mostly because nobody can see them coming or going.
- Canal Views: If you can, book a room overlooking the Rio Madonna dell’Orto. Watching the delivery boats and occasional gondola go by while you drink your morning espresso is peak Venice.
- The Beds: They use "Sleep Better" mattresses. Sounds like marketing fluff, but they’re actually remarkably comfortable compared to the rock-hard beds you find in many European boutique hotels.
Dining at Da Lorenzo – Al Giardino Segreto
Dining in Venice is a minefield of "tourist menus."
The hotel’s restaurant, Da Lorenzo – Al Giardino Segreto, is actually worth your time. It’s currently under the creative direction of Chef Paolo Airaudo (who has Michelin stars under his belt elsewhere), and the focus is on seasonal, local ingredients.
🔗 Read more: Food in Kerala India: What Most People Get Wrong About God's Own Kitchen
Don't expect basic spaghetti pomodoro. Expect things like fresh lagoon seafood and truffles.
The best part? In the summer, they set up tables in the garden or on the private pier. Eating dinner while the sun sets over the lagoon, away from the noise of the city center, is arguably the best meal you’ll have in Italy.
Is It Right For You?
Let’s be real: if you have limited mobility or hate walking, the 30-minute trek to the main sights might annoy you. Yes, there are water taxis and the shuttle, but Venice is a walking city, and Cannaregio requires some footwork.
But if you’re the type of traveler who wants to find a "hidden" side of a famous city, this is it. It’s sustainable too—they’ve got BREEAM and Bioscore certifications, which is a big deal for an old palace that’s notoriously hard to keep "green."
Next Steps for Your Trip:
- Book the Madonna dell’Orto stop: If you’re coming from Marco Polo Airport (VCE), take the Alilaguna Orange Line. Get off at the Madonna dell’Orto stop. The hotel is literally a two-minute walk from there.
- Request a garden tour: Ask the Guest Relations team (shoutout to the staff, who are famously helpful) to show you the hidden corners of the botanical garden.
- Check the shuttle schedule: The private boat to St. Mark’s usually requires a reservation. Do this as soon as you check in to snag the best times.
- Explore the Ghetto: The Jewish Ghetto is a 10-minute walk away. It’s one of the most historically significant and atmospheric parts of the city.
Stay here if you want to remember why people fell in love with Venice in the first place. Skip the crowds, find the garden, and take the slow boat.