Venice 2012 Guidebook
Best and worst accommodations:
Worst: Pesce Pronto
Why: is not open evenings after the fish market closes, only for lunch. There was a restaurant in a square just in back of this street that served good fish fillet dishes for 10 euros.
Suzanne in San Diego, CA USA 12/27/2011
Best: Soggiorno Battistero
Why: The owners were always pleasant and the breakfast came with a boiled egg and a hot muffin which seemed like heaven after the bad cold croissants and cold rolls served elsewhere.
Worst: Ca' San Travaso
Why: On arrival we found out we were being put in a room across an alleyway from the hotel. The room was very noisy at night and the mattress on my bed was the worst I've ever slept on.
Nancy in Driver, WA USA 11/14/2011
Worst: Casa Pisani Canal
Why: Difficult to locate for a first time visitor. Never attended by anyone. We advised in advance that we would arrive after 1900. No person was present to register us and the door was locked. We were able to get in only through the efforts of a gentleman in a business next door who happened to know the owner and was able to locate him. No apology from owner who actually tried to make it our fault.
Nate Jolley in Hayden, ID USA 10/30/2011
Best: Villa Dolcetti, Oriago di Mira (Venice)
Why: Diego and his wife Tatiana made our stay at Villa Dolcetti in Venice so pleasant we can't say enough good things about it. Diego had so many good tips about sight seeing in Venice. The rooms at Villa Docetti appeared recently renovated and were just beautiful. It was an easy 25 minute bus trip to and from Venice. The bus stop being just across the street from the hotel and dropping you right off at the end of the line in Venice made it so easy. My wife and I would stay here again in a heart beat and would recommend it to anyone.
Tim P. in Lawton, MI USA 10/30/2011
Best: Hotel Fontana
Why: It is in a good location, but beds were like cots and shower was extremely small (can't get any smaller).
Peter Fabriele in Scotch Plains, NJ USA 10/20/2011
Best: Hotel Campiello
Why: Great location, five minutes walk from San Marco Plaza. Loved the room, with the unusual chandelier and lamps, and period-style furniture; delicious breakfasts with plenty of fresh fruit, yoghouts and other choices; helpful and pleasant staff. e.g. we left very early for the airport at the end of our stay, so restaurant closed. However, while we waited for the watertaxi, staff served us fresh coffee and croissants hot from the oven - a lovely final surprise.
Elizabeth Bamberger in Portland, OR USA 09/26/2011
Best: Pensione Guerrato
Why: Highly recommended by RS, it was even better than expected. A great location in Rialto just off the Grand Canal, next to vegetable and fish markets, and wonderful owners Roberto and Piero. Roberto even met us at our water taxi at the wharf, and carried bags and led us to the hotel...which dates to 1288. A great value.
Ron in DeWitt, MI USA 06/30/2011
Best: La Residenza
Why: This restored palazzo has the most amazing lobby! Frescos, gorgeous plasterwork. Very beautiful. The hotel is on the Campo Bandiero e Moro in a quiet area in the Castello district, just two bridges from St. Mark's Square. The only complaint is that there is no elevator, although I was told they are rare in old buildings in Venice. It wasn't bad at all, only when you had to bring your bags in! This hotel certainly contained the "atmosphere" we were looking for.
Allison Garth in Little Silver, NJ USA 05/24/2011
Worst: Ca'del Dose
Why: Mosquitoes! Our was room filled with mosquitoes. The front desk told us to try and kill them. I killed dozens. I awoke the next day with 23 mosquito bites on my face and dozens more on my body. My wife stopped counting her bites at 40+. Horrible experience. Checked out early and stayed somewhere else. Ca’del Dose is full of misquotes.
Anton in New Jersey, NJ USA 04/18/2011
Best: Hotel Fontana
Why: It's a great location with a nice continental breakfast. The staff are very kind, accommodating and helpful. They had a hair dryer for guests to use. It also had the only tub (although half the size of an American tub) we saw on our 2 week honeymoon! Everything was clean and easy to access.
Worst: The Accademia
Why: I don't necessarily think it was bad as the timing of it. By the time we got to Venice I think we were a bit fried on museums and the "Madonna and the Bambino." Plus, we loved Venice so much all we wanted to do was head back to St. Mark's Square. But overall it was only okay.
Shannon Fonferko in Schaumburg, IL USA 03/20/2011
Best: Pensione Accademia
Why: We loved the accommodations, the service, the location. We hope to return in warmer weather to enjoy the gardens.
Elaine Wolfson in Reston, VA USA 12/04/2010
Best: Hotel Oceania, Rome
Why: The staff is the best! Anna and Radu are the best! We've stayed here twice in the last five years and have felt comfortable and welcome by the staff. The location is great too.
Worst: Hotel Messner, Venice
Why: We've also stayed here twice. The first time, in 2004 we stayed in the main building and had a nice room. This time we were in the annex and the room was very small, run down looking (torn wall paper, stained carpets, very small bathroom). We were there four nights and had two very unfriendly desk staff persons but also two very nice ones. The breakfast was very good.
Cherie Bernave in Walla Walla, WA USA 10/19/2010
Worst: Casa Lagana recommended by Ricardo at Corte Compana
Why: This place was recommended by Ricardo at Corte Compana and we booked it. We were extremely disappointed. I have mold allergies and the mold in the shared bathroom (which wasn't what the advertising lead us to believe) was bad enough to smell all through the place when the bathroom door was opened. The owners were easy to reach when we were trying to book the place but when we wanted to leave a day early they were not available-again not as advertised. The breakfast was the worst we have had in 3 weeks of traveling. Ricardo should not have recommended this place. It is nasty, nasty, nasty.
Paula MacMillan in RR 2 Goshen, NS Canada 10/06/2010
Best: Dimora Marciana
Why: A perfect hotel-- newly decorated in a Venetian decor-- simply beautiful-- spotlessly clean- great breakfast-- located 4 blocks from the vaporetto stop and the hotel gave specific directions--- look down the street for the lantern and there you are!!! The people who ran the hotel were terrific and our stay there was perfect and very reasonably priced!
Jean Chinni in Ellicott City, Md USA 10/06/2010
Worst: Hotel Belle Arti
Why: Unbelievably small room (even by European standards) and even worse service. The absolute worst in accomidations and experience. We let them keep our paid third night just to stay somewhere else.
Mark in Concord, CA USA 09/19/2010
Best: your cichetti tour
Why: it was so much fun, such a unique experience!
Tricia in New York, NY USA 08/23/2010
Best: Hotel Villa Gasparini
Why: See Above
Ron Palumbo in Houston, TX USA 08/02/2010
Best: Pensione La Calcina Ruskin's House
Why: This was our second stop on our honeymoon trip, and my husband and I weren't disappointed. We had a room without a canal view. However, we were able to see part of the canal through our window, which was a bonus! La Calcina was extremely clean, and the staff was quite friendly. They even sent up a complimentary bottle of prosecco to congratulate us on getting married. We looked forward to eating breakfast at the floating restaurant each morning. There was a good variety of eggs, pastries, fruit, and cereal. The neighborhood is away from the touristy San Marco Square and is peaceful. We appreciated this after seeing the Venetian sights all day. Our only complaint is that the beds are not very soft. However, we enjoyed everything else.
Gretchen in Virginia Beach, VA USA 07/24/2010
Best: Pensione Guerrato
Why: I made a ridiculous mistake in booking our stay in Venice, and booked it for July instead of June. I didn't realize the mistake until we were in the train station on June 28, and I was checking the directions for getting to the hotel. I suddenly looked at the date on the confirmation email and realized it was for a month later-- not a good feeling! I called the Pensione, and got Roberto on the line, who was incredibly gracious and willing to help. He was able to get us into their apartment near San Marco square that night and into the Pensione the next night, despite the fact that this was the height of the tourist season. He offered us a discount on the rate for the apartment, and the same rate he had given us for the July booking at the hotel. In addition to working with us to help us find accommodation, he was pleasant, kind, and fair. I highly recommend Pensione Guerrato. It's also very close to the Rialto Mercado vaporetto stop, making it easy to get to with bags.
Anne Sales in Edmonton, AB Canada 07/01/2010
Best: Corte Campana B&B
Why: Great location, near the action, yet extremely quiet. The 3 rooms open to a private courtyard and you hear none of the city noise. Riccardo, the owner, has great recommendations of restaurants, shops, sights.
Kathy in Payson, AZ USA 06/18/2010
Worst: Casa Santa Theresa Formosa
Why: I had a very bad experience with this hotel starting with my arrival. I had informed then that I would arrive after their desk closed at 7 PM. They e-mailed me back as to how to enter a code to get to our room. When we arrived at the hotel at 8 PM the guy at the desk proceeded to chew me out for being late and forcing him to stay over. He was very rude and I was not able to talk with him at all. The next morning he gave me that look like I was garbage, again making me feel very uncomfortable.
Paul Brizzolara in San Jose, USA 06/09/2010
Worst: Ca' del Dose
Why: I hesitate to call this the worst because it was the only place we stayed in Venice but it was not a pleasant experience for us. Their website was misleading because it indicates and displays nice rooms with terraces. There are six rooms on three floors, three fronting the street and three on the backside of the building. The only room with a terrace is the top front room. If you are fortunate enough to get a front room you will have a nice sized room with a street view. If you get a back room as we did you will have a very tiny room with barely space to move around the bed and with an alley view. The advertised small breakfast nook is a tiny built in desk with one chair. The in room breakfast is packaged toast and instant coffee. The advertised bar does not exist. In spite of indicating our age (66 & 65)and bad knee in correspondence with the hotel we were put on the top (fourth) floor with no lift. When we complained Lorenzos response was for us to go find another hotel. On the plus side the hotel is in a good location and probably a good buy for 110 Euro, if you get a front room. Lorenzo did manage to put us in a third floor front room on our last night. Also, the hotel was very clean.
Robert Gann in Mont Belvieu, Tx USA 06/07/2010
Best: B&B Casonova al Tolentini
Why: Ideal location, a 2 minute walk to Pizzale Roma, free internet, large beautifully decorated rooms, very helpful staff provided secure area to store luggage until rooms were ready. info@casonavaaitolentini.com; www.casanovaaitolentini.com
Karen Campbell Motsinger in Urbana, IL USA 06/03/2010
Best: Molino Stucky on Guidecca Island
Why: The view looking over to Venice watching all the boat traffic was very fun, especially the ships & cruise boats. Great to get away from the crowds within Venice. The sea air was refreshing. The pool was on the top of the hotel, great view and sea breeze.
Susie Deyo in LaConner, WA USA 05/22/2010
Best: Corte Campana B&B
Why: Riccardo is a ball of fire--friendly, helpful and running a clean, spacious small accommodation. The unit has been in his family since 1872, and if you want to know about the real Venice, just ask. He will help you separate the authentic from the not-so. He also has lots of friends who will help you shop, eat, get places, etc.
William H. Arnold in Macatawa, MI USA 05/17/2010
Best: Casa Cosmo
Why: Recently renovated, the 5 room house offered upscale, clean, well appointed accommodations with a great location. We felt lucky Davide Cosmo honored the price listed in Rick Steve's guide because he could have asked for much more considering location, quality, light, space, and more. If you are looking for a view, this is not it, but if you want location with great accommodations, see if there is space available. Davide Cosmo, who speaks English, gave us some honest and accurate recommendations for excursions we were interested in. Highly recommend Casa Cosmo.
Michael in Manhattan NY, NY USA 05/09/2010
Best: Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo
Why: The rooms, location, breakfast and service were all spctacular! I cannot think of a single thing that needed improvement. The prices were quite reasonable for Venice. This place is deservedly popular. Book early.
Steve in Tulsa, OK USA 04/21/2010
Best: Corte Campana, Venice
Why: Ric and Corte Campana gave our stay in Venice a perfect personal, local touch. Our accommodations were spacious, comfortable and homey, the breakfast was a perfect start to our busy days, and Ric was the consummate host! He provided great recommendations on what to see and when to see them, as well as wonderful restaurant recommendations. Ric is extremely energetic and loves Venice! His enthusiasm is contagious! He provided the perfect personal insight for our Venice experience. Give him a "thumbs up" when you go. He loves "thumbs up"!
Pescheret Familia in Barrington , IL USA 04/07/2010
Best: Corte Compana
Why: Riccardo is a wonderful host. He is Mr. Personality. He helped us with restaurant recommendations and reservations and gave us a few places to go to look for an authentic Venetian Carnivale mask. He rents out the 3 bedrooms of his family home to guests. Be prepared for 4 sets of stairs up to the B&B. Breakfast is a croissant, roll, coffee, hot milk, and orange juice. This was fine but the coffee cups were very tiny. Almost from a child'd tea set. Be prepared to drink 3 or 4 to get a full cup of coffee. Breakfast is from 8:30 to 9:30 and he rings a bell to let you know it is time. He is very flexible and will be there to welcome you whenver you arrve, early or late. He came downstairs and helped us get our luggage up when we arrived and helped us bring it down when we left. He hugged us goodbye and wished us a great trip. If you are a traveler who likes persoanl attention, then Riccardo is the perfect host for you.
Lisa in Rocaforte, Tx USA 03/31/2010
Best: Hotel Casa Verardo
Why: Great location! Quick, easy walk to St. Mark's Square, yet set apart on a quiet little side street. The staff were very friendly and the rooms were a good size. The breakfast was great with cappuccinos and the best croissants that I have ever had. We arrived to Venice around 8:30 a.m. because we had taken an overnight train there. We got to the hotel hopeing they would let us check in early or at least leave our bags. They told us that we could check in at 12, leave our bags there, and that we could go up to the breakfast room for some coffee. By 9 am they came up to the breakfast room and told us our room was ready! That was a wonderful surprise!
Jennifer Duke in Peabody, MA USA 03/16/2010
Best: Hotel al Piave
Why: The staff at Hotel al Piave were absolutely the best. My first trip to a foreign country and they made it so easy and helpful. They pointed us in the right direction and made suggestions that made our trip wonderful.
Marsha Poree in Queen Creek, AZ USA 12/06/2009
Best: Venice Rentals from your Venice guide book
Why: We used the co. www.Venicerentals.com they were easy to work with and very helpful. The Arsenale apartment that we rented was one of the best on our entire European trip.
Chris Turner in LA, CA USA 09/27/2009
Best: Albergo Doni
Why: Great location, good value. Our room was spacious for three, though dimly lit, as Rick notes. Breakfast was modest but adequate. The hotel could use fresh paint and softer bedding, but the hospitality more than made up for those few negatives. Nikkos was exceptionally helpful in getting us oriented in and around Venice and also on to our next destination.
A. McCaughan in Prospect, OR USA 09/24/2009
Best: Morandi alla Crocetta Hotel in Florence
Why: The staff was wonderful, offered recommendations, made the visit special. The locatino is also very quiet. Rooms clean and well sized.
Worst: Hotel Belle Art in Venice
Why: Rick describes the staff as stern. I would call them unengaged and rude. The rooms are in desparate need of an update and the breakfast rushed and limited. First time (of 8 or so) that I have not loved a RS recommendation.
Helen Boyne in Montclair, NJ USA 09/10/2009
Best: Allogg Barbaria B&B
Why: This place and its manager, Fausto, are fantastic. The place was great, the location convenient, and Fausto was the best! He was so helpful through all my emails before the trip and just as helpful during our stay. He was born & raised in Venice and gave us all the inside tips. He arranged a memorable gondola serenade for us, gave us good restaurant recommendations, helped us save money, and helped us make the best use of our time in Venice. He cares about his guests and wants them to have the best possible experience. He and his B&B truly made our May 2009 trip a dream visit. I hope to go back again and stay at the same place.
David Benson in Bloomington, MN USA 06/06/2009
Best: Hotel Campiello/apartment in Venice
Why: VERY ACCOMODATING staff. We were surprised by being seated at breakfast in the private dining room away from the rest of the guests. LOVELY APARTMENT!
Debbie Hines in Loudon, TN USA 06/02/2009
Best: Alloggi Barbaria
Why: My wife and I stayed at Alloggi Barbaria on our last trip to Venice. The hotel was a wonderful place to stay. Out of the hustle and bustle of the main tourist areas yet still close enough to be able to walk to them all quite easily. It's also very close to a vaporetto stop and grocery store, which is very convenient.
Giorgio and Fausto were friendly and pleasant hosts. Giorgio was very happy to accommodate any requests we had. Fausto's knowledge of Venice is amazing. The rooms were quite clean with private bath and television. I would highly recommend a stay in their hotel. We will surely stay there again on our next visit to Venezia.
Gary R. in Boxborough, MA USA 05/22/2009
Best: La Locandiera
Why: Not on your list this time, but I would recommend highly. Great Large room. Very helpful, sparkling clean and a super breakfast buffet (especially for Venice.
Phil McAtee in Warner Robins, GA USA 05/08/2009
Best: Corte Campana
Why: The room was large, bright and had a great shower. It was close to the action, but quiet and our family of four felt right at home. Riccardo is fantastic and helped with all the details of our stay - from restaurant reservations to shopping recommendations. We would love to go back and stay again!
Kris R. in Frankfurt, Germany 04/13/2009
Best: STAY IN THE CITY !!!
Why: Regardless of where you stay, Venice is glorious by day and enchanting by night! Do not miss the opportunity to cruise the canal at night, or walk the quiet streets and bridges. Venice is transformed when the "day trippers" are gone. There are many reasonably priced places to stay, just do a little homework! If you stay on the mainland, you miss half of what Venice has to offer, and after traveling so far and planning so long, why not enjoy it ALL? !!
L.Kelly in Newbury, VT USA 04/04/2009
Best: Hotel Flora
Why: Spent four nights there in Feb. 2009 based on RS recommendation and was very happy. Emailed reservation from Florence and they gave me a 10% RS discount. While a little tricky to find, it's an easy walk with baggage from vaporetto stop. Professional and efficient staff that speaks English. Delicious breakfast with fresh-squeezed blood orange juice, croissants, cheese, fruit, yogurt, the works (no meats). Rooms and public areas are "European Small", but everyone was friendly and it was super clean. Would stay there again.
Tim in Portland, OR USA 02/25/2009
Best: Hotel Flora
Why: Spent four nights there in Feb. 2009 based on RS recommendation and was very happy. Emailed reservation from Florence and they gave me a 10% RS discount. While a little tricky to find, it's an easy walk with baggage from vaporetto stop. Professional and efficient staff that speaks English. Delicious breakfast with fresh-squeezed blood orange juice, croissants, cheese, fruit, yogurt, the works (no meats). Rooms and public areas are "European Small", but everyone was friendly and it was super clean. Would stay there again.
Tim in Portland, OR USA 02/25/2009