Expert Reviews of Venice Hotels

Many Russians are sure that living in Venetian hotels is not a cheap pleasure. That is why tourists from Russia prefer to settle in the neighboring town of Mestre. However, this statement is only partly true: having stayed in Venice later than usual, you risk to get to Mestre by taxi, which at once will bring to nothing the idea of ​​saving on accommodation. In addition, with a little effort, in Venice itself you can find accommodation for every taste and purse, from the most luxurious to the surprisingly cheap.

Venice's districts

Venice is essentially a tiny city, so there is no danger of finding yourself on the hard-to-reach outskirts . Rather, on the contrary: if time is short, you should avoid hotels in the very center, in the vicinity of San Marco. Here it will be difficult to make a step without getting bogged down in the crowds of tourists, you will not find tasty and inexpensive food, and in winter there is a great chance to be cut off from the rest of the world by flooding.

For example, Dorsoduro, Castello and Cannaregio - the districts in Venice are much more earthy, nourishing and cheap. The most economical people live on the island of Giudecca, to which the vaporetto boats go ....

In the warm season it is good to settle in Lido di Venice (or just in the Lido area) and alternate tours of Venice with a rest on the beach. From the pier to Lido to San Marco is only 15 minutes on the boat, which, pleasantly, ply around the clock. However, in July-August, it is extremely difficult to find housing: the resort was chosen by Italian holidaymakers. But on the Lido cheap outside the bathing season, that is, from October to May.

Many travel agencies like lure people into places that Venice to have a purely administrative relationship, but are more affordable prices, and is easier to find accommodation. For example, Mestre is an industrial appendage of Venice on the mainland (10 minutes by train). However, in the prospectus, not Mestre can appear, but the expression "the mainland part of Venice" (Venezia terraferma, Venice mainland). Here it is better to spend the night somewhere closer to the station, and then in the extreme case - if there is absolutely no place in Venice itself.

Sometimes Punta Sabbioni (or Cavallino) is suggested - a settlement on an artificial dam across the lagoon, as well as the sea resort Lido -di Jesolo, somewhat consonant with Lido di Venice. An inexperienced tourist in this case is tempted by the fact that these places are near Venice, and you can get to the 24-hour vaporetto. In fact, to Punta Sabbioni, 40 minutes on a large ship, which also rarely goes. And to Lido di Jesolo - an hour and a half by ferry and buses with two transfers, which, among other things, will also fly in a round sum.

In case there are no places in Venice, there is still such an unobvious option of accommodation as the neighboring Padova. From here to Venice, an hour's journey or, like to mention in the avenues - 30-40 minutes by train. However, to this you need to add another bus to the train station in Padua itself and a vaporetto from the station in Venice. However, the city of Padua itself is beautiful, ancient (here is the famous chapel with frescoes of Giotto) and also inexpensive.

Types of accommodation and prices

We will not argue, the prices in the largest Venetian hotels are extremely high. For example, the cost of a room in a five-star hotel starts from € 350 in high season, while the room still seems cramped. And if to the five stars the letter L is added - "luxury", then this is an elite apartment with a chic furnishings, antique furniture and an extensive list of eminent guests. The most famous Venetian luxury is Danieli, Gritti, Luna Baglioni, Bauer, located along the Grand Canal and on the shores of the lagoon.

The room in a three-star hotel near the famous St. Mark's Square in high season will cost guests from € 250. A little in the distance from the center you can settle for € 100-200, but the "stars" will be no more than two.

A decent hotel with one star at the height of the season (in April-June and September-October) with shower and telephone costs about € 150 in the center and around € 100 on the outskirts. There will not be an air-conditioner in this room, but from the heat it is quite possible to escape, tightly covering the shutters for the day. The cheapest room in the high season is somewhere around € 60, while the amenities will be on the floor.

Apartments

Another option to stay in Venice for a week or more - rent an apartment . The cost of rent is not cheap, but if you go to Venice by a whole company, an advantageous option . In addition, such luxury is organized not so difficult: through the agency or on the Internet (request "venice apartment rent") . Payment in any case will occur on the card, and the insurance deposit (about € 200) they will take it without fail, but before returning it will be returned to . Even pay for cleaning after leaving . Options mass: from a tiny studio for two (€ 800 per week) to a whole palazzo (from € 1600 per week for four) .You can agree that every morning the maid came and cooked breakfast .

Hostels

As, however, everywhere, cheaper than in the hostel can not find a place. A monastic hostel or hostel (ostello) is, in fact, a youth hostel with rooms for both two and a dozen for three people. Similar housing in an empty educational institution is called foresteria (boarding school). The price of a place in them with a traditional breakfast (Bed & Breakfast) starts from € 20. Rent a room with amenities in the student hostel will cost around € 50. For the same money you can find a single-star hotel in Venice itself, but in such a room most likely will not be convenient.

A dormitory for guests of all ages, not only for the youth - they usually rent rooms for 2-3 people with or without a bathroom, occasionally with a kitchen, called Casa per ferie, simply casa or domus. Stop here will cost € 30-40 per person.

Peculiarities of accommodation

Book accommodation in Venice better in advance, especially with regard to the period of the famous carnival. However, after arriving in Venice at any time of the year and not having preoccupied with rental housing in advance, do not despair: at the railway station of Santa Lucia, the service "365" - reference, where there is always up-to-date information about all vacant places in hotels and hostels of the city.

By the way, tourists should know that many hostels and hostels in the city are kept by religious communities. This, of course, does not mean that guests are obliged to turn to active Catholicism, but a certain minimum of compatibility with monks and other guests, among whom pilgrims meet, is worth keeping. For example, leave the room early in the morning, keep clean, neatly make the bed and return no later than 23.00-23.30 (as a rule, later simply do not start up). Sometimes rooms resemble cells.

Not all hostels and hostels organized by religious communities can be booked. In some, this right is given only to groups of students or schoolchildren, and it will be difficult to obtain a visa for this reservation. But they can be contacted right on the spot, and even in the high season there are often empty seats. A full list of hostels, relevant at the time of your arrival, can be found at any Venice tourist office.