Arriving by Water with a Shih Tzu

I’ve had some good hotel arrivals, but pulling up by boat in Venice is something else. We’d booked a semi-private water taxi from Marco Polo Airport, and because Palazzo Barocci sits right beside the Sant’Angelo vaporetto stop on the Grand Canal, our boat pulled up directly to the hotel’s private dock. It felt like something out of a movie. Before I’d even figured out how to get myself and Daisy off the boat, the concierge team was already there. Out the door, taking bags, greeting us like we were old friends. All I had to worry about was getting Daisy safely into the hotel.

That first impression set the tone for the entire stay. They made the biggest fuss over Daisy, which is always the way to win me over. While I was filling in the check-in form, our bags were already being taken to the room. And then came the Prosecco. A proper welcome drink, handed over with a smile. Of course, Daisy tried to knock the glass clean out of my hand. Come on, Daisy. Let’s make a good first impression for once. But the staff laughed it off, and that kind of relaxed, warm welcome is exactly what you want when you arrive somewhere with a dog. Nobody looked twice at her. Just a proper warm welcome.

If you’re flying into Venice with your dog, make sure you have your airline paperwork sorted before you go. We’ve reviewed several pet-friendly airlines that fly into Italy, so check that out if you’re still in the planning stages. And for getting from the airport to the hotel, a private or semi-private water taxi is the way to do it. Yes, it costs more than the Alilaguna ferry, but arriving at your hotel from the water, bags taken care of, dog safe in your arms, is worth every cent.

The Room

I’d actually booked a single room because, honestly, when it comes to hotels I’d rather spend on a beautiful property and have a basic room than book the best room in a mediocre hotel. The amount of time we actually spend in a hotel room is mostly just for sleeping, so I never feel the need to go all out on room categories.

But we didn’t end up in that single room. When we got to our room, we’d been upgraded to a Superior Room with a Canal View and a king-size bed. I’m still not entirely sure what prompted the upgrade, but I wasn’t about to question it.

[IMAGE: A canal view room at Palazzo Barocci with the window open overlooking the Grand Canal]

The room was on the ground floor, and the whole space had a concrete or stone-type finish, which makes sense when you think about it. Venice floods. You’re not going to find plush carpeting on the lower levels of buildings here. But the room was lovely in its own way. Clean, well-kept, and when we opened the windows, we were right there on the Grand Canal with boats passing by constantly.

The bathroom was lovely, and we had robes and slippers provided. There was also a welcome treat in the room. Biscuits, fresh fruit, and a nice welcome card from the hotel. Those little extras go a long way after a day of travel with a dog, especially when you’ve just navigated an airport and a boat transfer.

Now, in terms of dog-specific amenities, there was no dog bed, no water bowl, no special welcome kit for Daisy. And look, it’s always a lovely bonus when hotels go the extra mile with pet amenities, and it’s often what bumps a hotel into the 9 or 10 out of 10 range for us. But it’s never a dealbreaker. We always travel well prepared with Daisy’s own bowls, and everything she needs, so it’s a nice-to-have rather than a necessity.

Where Was Daisy Allowed

I have to be upfront here. We stayed for three nights, but I was out of the hotel by nine every morning and didn’t get back until ten or eleven at night, sometimes later. I was also there with a friend who was staying at a different hotel, so we were eating breakfast out every day.

That means I honestly can’t tell you whether Daisy was allowed in the breakfast room or dining areas, because it simply never came up. We never tested it. What I can tell you is that within the hotel itself, Daisy was welcome everywhere I went. No restrictions were mentioned, no awkward moments, nothing. She trotted through reception, past the Christmas decorations, and nobody batted an eye.

The staff were brilliant with her every single time we walked through the door. You could tell this wasn’t a hotel that just tolerates dogs. They actually liked having her there.

The Hotel

Palazzo Barocci is a small, intimate boutique hotel, and I mean that in the best way. The building dates back centuries, originally built as a private residence before eventually becoming a hotel. It feels like real Venice, not a theme park version of it.

[IMAGE: The reception or lobby area of Palazzo Barocci decorated for Christmas]

When we were there in December, the reception area was all decorated for Christmas, which added to the cosy atmosphere. The vibe throughout was chilled but luxurious. Not the kind of hotel where staff are hovering over you asking if you need anything every five minutes, but the kind where everyone says hello, remembers your name, and lets you get on with your trip. Sometimes you’d see someone at the front desk, sometimes you wouldn’t. It’s that kind of intimate, come-and-go feel that works perfectly when you’re using the hotel as a base for exploring.

I didn’t notice any other dogs staying at the hotel during our visit, and I wouldn’t be able to tell you much about the other guests. From the few interactions I had, it seemed like mostly couples in their forties and beyond, which fits the boutique vibe.

Daisy’s Toilet Situation (Yes, We Need to Talk About This)

If you’ve got a dog who absolutely must have grass for their bathroom breaks, Venice is going to require some creative thinking. The city is stone, water, and more stone. There’s very little green space in the main areas.

Thankfully, Daisy isn’t fussed about needing grass. She’s perfectly happy with concrete, which made Venice incredibly easy for us. Right in front of the hotel there’s plenty of walking space because you’ve got the vaporetto stop and then you’re back into a big open square. We never had any issues finding a spot for her.

On the second day, when we took a trip out to the island of Burano, there was loads of grass everywhere, which was a nice change. But for the main Venice stay, be prepared for your dog to adapt to hard surfaces if that’s not already their thing.

Venice with a Dog in December

Here’s the thing I wasn’t expecting. Venice in December is full of dogs. Locals walking their dogs through the narrow streets and across the bridges. I wouldn’t have thought of Venice as a dog-ownership kind of place, but it clearly is, at least in the off season. It’s so funny being a tourist and thinking “let’s not go when the tourists are actually there” but honestly, that’s the best approach.

We actually met a dog who was exactly like Daisy was as a puppy. This little thing was maybe three months old, full on black and white, and it was like looking at baby Daisy all over again. Daisy was completely black and white as a baby. You couldn’t even see her eyes she was so dark. Now she’s just a grey and white dog with no signs of ever having been black. So meeting this puppy was a bit of a moment.

Daisy loved Venice. She loved the narrow streets, the bridges to trot up and down, the different smells around every corner, and the constant stream of people who wanted to stop and fuss over her. Venice is incredibly walkable, which is perfect for a dog. We walked everywhere during our stay, partly by choice and partly because there was a 24-hour transit strike on the day we arrived, which meant no vaporettos or water buses were running.

One word of warning. You will need Google Maps for everything. Venice is a full-blown maze. The streets are so narrow and winding that you’ll absolutely not find your way without it. If you’re travelling from a country where you don’t have mobile data included, buy an eSIM before you arrive. You will be lost without it, and I mean that literally.

We never did manage to figure out the public water bus system properly. Google Maps kept telling us a boat was coming, and then nothing would show up. I’m sure with a bit of practice it gets easier, but for a short stay, walking was our main mode of transport. If you’ve got more time than we did, I’d say invest a bit of effort into learning the vaporetto routes because you’ll see so much more of Venice from the water.

For reactive dogs or dogs who get overwhelmed in crowds, I’d strongly recommend visiting in the off season like we did. The streets in Venice are incredibly narrow, and in peak summer I can only imagine how packed they get. In December, we had space. Daisy could walk everywhere freely and never once had to go in her carrier bag (unless she was tired). She had the run of the place, and that freedom made the whole trip so much more enjoyable.

Eating Out in Venice with Daisy

I wasn’t blown away by any of the food we ate in Venice. Nothing was bad, but nothing had me raving either. Every restaurant we tried was perfectly fine, good quality, reasonably priced for Venice, but there was no standout meal that I’d send you running to.

The one restaurant, Il Caffè Gelato, I do want to mention was right at the port where we caught the boat to the islands. We stopped there for breakfast with my friend, a typical setup with bacon, eggs, and toast. The man working there was lovely with Daisy. It was a slightly cool morning, with the shade hitting our side of the street, and I wanted to sit inside rather than out. Not a problem at all. Daisy was welcomed in without question.

And that was the general theme across every restaurant we tried. Daisy was fussed over in every single place. She could sit inside, she could sit outside, nobody cared. Given that it was December and not busy at all, we had the pick of restaurants everywhere we went. No reservations needed, no worrying about whether they’d accept a dog, no squeezing into tiny tables. We just walked in wherever looked good.

That’s another massive benefit of visiting Venice in December. You don’t have to plan your meals around availability or dog-friendliness because everywhere has space and everywhere is welcoming.

Getting to the Dolomites from Venice

We actually used Venice as a base for a trip to the Dolomites, which meant walking to the train station one morning. It’s a fair walk from the hotel, or you can take the vaporetto if the transit is running. The walk itself was fine with Daisy, just more of the Venice maze.

If you’re thinking of combining Venice with a mountain trip, it works well. Just be prepared for the temperature difference.

Practical Tips for Staying at Palazzo Barocci with Your Dog

Book in the off season. We paid just under 200 euros per night in December, which for a canal-view room at a boutique hotel on the Grand Canal is a great deal. I can’t imagine what peak season prices look like, and the crowds would take away from the experience with a dog. I’d 10 out of 10 recommend going in winter.

Request a canal view. If you’re in Venice, you want to be on the water. Being on a back street down a dark lane is not where you want to be, trust me. At night especially, the back streets feel like a proper maze. The canal view gives you that true Venice experience every time you look out the window.

Arrange a water taxi transfer. Arriving at the hotel by boat is an experience in itself, and the staff are ready and waiting at the dock to help. You can book through the hotel or arrange a semi-private transfer from Marco Polo Airport. For the way back, we took a semi-private water bus, which was a cheaper option.

Breakfast isn’t included. We ate out every morning with my friend, so I can’t comment on the hotel’s breakfast, but budget for eating out or add it when you book.

Bring your dog’s essentials. The hotel doesn’t provide dog beds or bowls, so pack what you need. We always travel with Daisy’s full kit, so this wasn’t an issue for us.

Download offline maps. Even with data, Google Maps can be slow in the narrow streets. Having offline maps as a backup is a smart move.

Budget for the pet fee. At 20 euros for the entire stay, not per night, this is one of the best pet fees we’ve seen. You’d barely notice it on your bill.

We booked through Crazy Daisy Travels, our own travel advisory service. If you’re planning a trip to Venice with your dog, we can help with everything from hotel bookings to getting your dog there safely. You can also take our trip planning quiz if you’re not sure where to start.

Who This Hotel Is Best For

Palazzo Barocci is perfect for dog owners who want a centrally located, boutique hotel on the Grand Canal without the five-star price tag. It’s small, the staff are warm, and you can’t beat the location. If you’re the kind of traveller who uses the hotel as a base and spends most of your time out exploring, this is ideal. You get the gorgeous canal views, the warm welcome, and the convenience of being steps from a vaporetto stop.

It’s not the hotel for you if you want extensive on-site dining, a spa, or dog-specific luxury amenities. But for what it is, a beautifully kept historic palazzo where the staff actually want your dog there, it delivers.

[IMAGE: View from the hotel room window looking out onto the Grand Canal]

Quick Facts

Location: Grand Canal, San Marco, Venice, Italy

Pet Policy: Dogs welcome, specific pet-friendly rooms available on request

Pet Fee: 20 euros per pet, per stay (not per night)

Breakfast Included: No

Room We Stayed In: Superior Room, Canal View (upgraded from a single)

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Best For: Dog mums who want a boutique base in the heart of Venice without spending a fortune

Nights Stayed: 3 nights in December

Price Paid: Just under 200 euros per night (off-season rate)

Final Verdict

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

The only reason Palazzo Barocci doesn’t score higher on the Daisy scale is the lack of dedicated dog amenities. When hotels provide a dog bed, water bowls, treats, or a little welcome kit, that’s what pushes them into the 9 and 10 territory for us. And for context, 8.5 is actually really high on the Daisy scale. Palazzo Barocci is absolutely pet-friendly in every way that matters. Daisy was welcomed, fussed over, and never once made to feel like an inconvenience. The 20 euro flat pet fee for the entire stay is one of the best we’ve seen anywhere in Europe.

The arrival by water, the surprise room upgrade, the Prosecco welcome (despite Daisy’s best efforts to ruin it), and those canal views. They get the important stuff right. Would I stay again? Without question. Venice in December with Daisy was like something out of a movie, and Palazzo Barocci was the perfect place to come home to at the end of every day.

Booked through: Crazy Daisy Travels Booking lead time: Approximately 3 weeks in advance