Pros
- Housed in a 14th-century Venetian “palazzo” with charming period details
- An 11-minute walk to St. Mark's Square, and near water bus stop
- Rooms and apartments have kitchenettes, and fireplaces
- White marble bathrooms have whirlpool tubs and L'Occitane toiletries
- Guest rooms have views of the canal, courtyard or garden
- Beautiful ballroom, guest lounge, terrace, and garden
- Free Wi-Fi throughout
- Breakfast served in rooms or on the terrace (for a fee)
- Laundry and dry-cleaning services available
Cons
- Some worn rooms due for an update
- Ground-floor rooms can be dark
- Rooms next to canal can pick up unpleasant odors
- Soundproofing and water-pressure issues reported
- Wi-Fi is shaky
- No on-site restaurant and fee for breakfast
Bottom Line
Palazzo Contarini della Porta di Ferro is a romantic 14th-century Venetian “palazzo” that's within walking distance of St. Mark's Square. This upper-middle-range property has 19 guest rooms and suites, some of which are two- or three-bedroom apartment-style accommodations with separate dining areas and kitchenettes. Many have views over the San Francesco canal, flower garden, courtyard, or roofs of Venice. The “palazzo” is filled with period details like stone doorways and exposed wood-beam ceilings. Though there's lots of Old World charm here, some of the rooms show signs of wear and tear, and those next to the canal can pick up unpleasant odors. Breakfast is served in guest rooms or on a pleasant terrace, but it's an additional fee. As an alternative, the nearby Liassidi Palace Hotel includes breakfast and serves it in a room overlooking the canal.
Hotel & Amenities Photos
Amenities
- Cribs
- Internet
- Kids Club
Scene
Romantic, Old World ambience in a quiet setting
The Palazzo Contarini della Porta di Ferro is a historic building dating back to the 14th century when it belonged to a Venetian noble family. The “palazzo” has a quiet and romantic atmosphere, and many elegant architectural details, like arches and columns, and a charming courtyard and flower garden. Interiors are spacious, with high wood-beam ceilings and stone doorways, decorated with oil paintings, Oriental rugs, tapestries, and Murano glass chandeliers and sculptures. The impressive Piano Nobile ballroom is a stunning and vast space with large glass doors opening onto an adjacent terrace with a view of the city's rooftops. The romantic atmosphere makes this hotel particularly popular with couples.
Location
An 11-minute walk from St. Mark's Square
Palazzo Contarini della Porta di Ferro is located in Venice's Castello district, a quiet area tucked away from the crowds that's about an 11-minute walk to St. Mark's Square. The hotel can be a challenge to find because it's located in a small lane and has only a small sign, but the management sends guests detailed directions. There's a small grocery store next door, and many bars, restaurants, cafes, and shops are within walking distance. It's a five-minute walk to the Celestia water bus stop, where “Vaporetto” boats head to destinations like the Canal Grande, Murano island, and the airport. Water taxis are also available to most destinations around Venice.
- Five-minute walk to Celestia water bus stop
- Eight-minute walk to San Zaccaria Church
- Nine-minute walk to Santa Maria Formosa Church
- 11-minute walk to St. Mark's Square and Doge's Palace
- 12-minute walk to the Bridge of Sighs
- 15-minute walk to Rialto Bridge
- 17 minutes to Gallerie dell'Accademia by water bus
- 22 minutes to Peggy Guggenheim Collection by water bus
- 24 minutes to Canal Grande by water bus
- 28 minutes to Santa Lucia train station by water bus
- 28 minutes to Murano by water bus
- 30 minutes to Venice Marco Polo International Airport by water bus
Rooms
Elegantly decorated, spacious rooms, suites, and apartments -- but canal smells cause issues
The 19 guest rooms, suites, and apartments at Palazzo Contarini della Porta di Ferro vary widely in size and upkeep, but they are generally spacious and have retained the Old World charm of the original “palazzo.” They are beautifully decorated with antique-style furniture made of chestnut wood, sofas covered in silk, gilt mirrors, tapestries and oil paintings on the walls, floors covered in Oriental rugs, and architectural details like wood-beam exposed ceilings and stone fireplaces. Bathrooms are fitted with elegant white marble sink tops, and have either whirlpool baths or showers, and luxury toiletries by L'Occitane. Standard guest rooms are at least 430 square feet. Those located on the ground floor can be dark, and some are in need of renovation. The best rooms are the Superior Apartments on the top floor, almost 2,335 square feet, with two or three bedrooms, spacious living areas, kitchens, and scenic views over the city's rooftops and canals. All the rooms, suites, and apartments have mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, and electric kettles for coffee and tea. They are air-conditioned and come with free Wi-Fi. Most of the rooms have views over the canal, flower garden, courtyard, or the rooftops of Venice. But the rooms overlooking the canal, though scenic, may pick up the smells that can emanate from the canals. Guest have complained about poor soundproofing due to thin walls, problems with water pressure, and unreliable Wi-Fi.
Features
Ballroom and lounge, garden, breakfast service (for a fee), and free Wi-Fi
Though the Palazzo Contarini della Porta di Ferro is an upper-middle-range property, the intimate, historic hotel has fairly limited on-site features. One of the most striking features is the hotel's public spaces, such as its beautiful ballroom and guest lounge, and its flower garden filled with statues and fountains. Breakfast is available for an extra fee and is served either in guest rooms or on the terrace overlooking the garden. Wi-Fi is free and available throughout the hotel, but the connection can be spotty. Other services include laundry and dry cleaning. Staff will help organize tours and airport transfers. The romantic atmosphere makes this a popular venue for weddings and other special events.
Related Hotels
Scene
Romantic, Old World ambience in a quiet setting
The Palazzo Contarini della Porta di Ferro is a historic building dating back to the 14th century when it belonged to a Venetian noble family. The “palazzo” has a quiet and romantic atmosphere, and many elegant architectural details, like arches and columns, and a charming courtyard and flower garden. Interiors are spacious, with high wood-beam ceilings and stone doorways, decorated with oil paintings, Oriental rugs, tapestries, and Murano glass chandeliers and sculptures. The impressive Piano Nobile ballroom is a stunning and vast space with large glass doors opening onto an adjacent terrace with a view of the city's rooftops. The romantic atmosphere makes this hotel particularly popular with couples.
Location
An 11-minute walk from St. Mark's Square
Palazzo Contarini della Porta di Ferro is located in Venice's Castello district, a quiet area tucked away from the crowds that's about an 11-minute walk to St. Mark's Square. The hotel can be a challenge to find because it's located in a small lane and has only a small sign, but the management sends guests detailed directions. There's a small grocery store next door, and many bars, restaurants, cafes, and shops are within walking distance. It's a five-minute walk to the Celestia water bus stop, where “Vaporetto” boats head to destinations like the Canal Grande, Murano island, and the airport. Water taxis are also available to most destinations around Venice.
- Five-minute walk to Celestia water bus stop
- Eight-minute walk to San Zaccaria Church
- Nine-minute walk to Santa Maria Formosa Church
- 11-minute walk to St. Mark's Square and Doge's Palace
- 12-minute walk to the Bridge of Sighs
- 15-minute walk to Rialto Bridge
- 17 minutes to Gallerie dell'Accademia by water bus
- 22 minutes to Peggy Guggenheim Collection by water bus
- 24 minutes to Canal Grande by water bus
- 28 minutes to Santa Lucia train station by water bus
- 28 minutes to Murano by water bus
- 30 minutes to Venice Marco Polo International Airport by water bus
Rooms
Elegantly decorated, spacious rooms, suites, and apartments -- but canal smells cause issues
The 19 guest rooms, suites, and apartments at Palazzo Contarini della Porta di Ferro vary widely in size and upkeep, but they are generally spacious and have retained the Old World charm of the original “palazzo.” They are beautifully decorated with antique-style furniture made of chestnut wood, sofas covered in silk, gilt mirrors, tapestries and oil paintings on the walls, floors covered in Oriental rugs, and architectural details like wood-beam exposed ceilings and stone fireplaces. Bathrooms are fitted with elegant white marble sink tops, and have either whirlpool baths or showers, and luxury toiletries by L'Occitane. Standard guest rooms are at least 430 square feet. Those located on the ground floor can be dark, and some are in need of renovation. The best rooms are the Superior Apartments on the top floor, almost 2,335 square feet, with two or three bedrooms, spacious living areas, kitchens, and scenic views over the city's rooftops and canals. All the rooms, suites, and apartments have mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, and electric kettles for coffee and tea. They are air-conditioned and come with free Wi-Fi. Most of the rooms have views over the canal, flower garden, courtyard, or the rooftops of Venice. But the rooms overlooking the canal, though scenic, may pick up the smells that can emanate from the canals. Guest have complained about poor soundproofing due to thin walls, problems with water pressure, and unreliable Wi-Fi.
Features
Ballroom and lounge, garden, breakfast service (for a fee), and free Wi-Fi
Though the Palazzo Contarini della Porta di Ferro is an upper-middle-range property, the intimate, historic hotel has fairly limited on-site features. One of the most striking features is the hotel's public spaces, such as its beautiful ballroom and guest lounge, and its flower garden filled with statues and fountains. Breakfast is available for an extra fee and is served either in guest rooms or on the terrace overlooking the garden. Wi-Fi is free and available throughout the hotel, but the connection can be spotty. Other services include laundry and dry cleaning. Staff will help organize tours and airport transfers. The romantic atmosphere makes this a popular venue for weddings and other special events.
Hotel & Amenities Photos
Best Rates
Amenities
-
Air Conditioner
-
Airport Transportation
-
Babysitting Services
-
Balcony / Terrace / Patio
-
Basic Television
-
Cabanas
-
Cable
-
Concierge
-
Cribs
-
Dry Cleaning
-
Full Kitchen
-
Internet
-
Kids Allowed
-
Kids Club
-
Laundry
-
Meeting / Conference Rooms
-
Poolside Drink Service
-
Room Service
-
Smoking Rooms Available
-
Supervised Kids Activities
-
Swim-Up Bar
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
