Hotel Pensione Guerrato in Venice

I've stayed there several times, most recently on the 4th floor. There are a LOT of stairs to get up there. My room on the 4th floor had a shared bathroom down the hall, but I believe that at least one of the rooms on that floor has a private bathroom. I'd be sure to check on that, if it is important to you. I also seem to feel that the length of the beds that I've slept on there were all the same length as a standard twin in the US. In all four of the rooms that I've stayed in there, there were only two twin beds. It may well be that their "king" sized bed is actually two twins pushed together. You might ask about that, if it is important.

I was on that tour and stayed in that hotel a number of years ago. The location is great, especially for the market and tiny eateries in the evening. I don't recall which floor my room was on. It was high, so it may have been 4. I stayed solo. Again, I can't recall 100%, but I think I had a double bed. My bathroom was outside the bedroom and across a tiny hall. It was only for me. I had a key. The second night, a couple stayed in the room that was accessed via a door at the end of the hallway, meaning when I wanted my bathroom, I had to leave my room, walk past their door, and enter the bathroom. I had to make sure in the middle of the night that I was sufficiently clothed. Minor inconvenience.

What I do remember clearly is that there were no real reading lamps, I that is a must for me. I had to kind of rearrange the furniture a bit - chairs and table with light - to read each evening and then replace it in the morning. On their website, lamps seem to be extant, but in tripadvisor photos, not so much. So if you are a reader, let them know.

...hotel would like to collect cash for that night, is that normal?...

You mentioned "cash". We've stayed there several times and always put the room charge on a credit card. But in many places in Italy there is a room tax that has to be paid in cash. Perhaps they are referring to that. We've been pleased with our stays there and would not hesitate to stay there again. The only drawback is that you do have to cope with the stairs. We've stayed on the third level I think and did not find the stairs insurmountable.

...hotel would like to collect cash for that night, is that normal?...

We received a nominal "Rick Steves" discount by paying cash for our extra night there. Our first night was in a small, very plain lower-level room with shared bath (which was not an issue). All that was available that night.

Next three nights with the tour, we were on the second floor, just one flight of stairs if I recall. Rooms were very large with en suite baths. I recall having a "king" bed that was OK. It was a good location, though I personally wasn't as taken with the ancient "charm" of the hotel as many others are. We were there in May and the air conditioning was pretty weak and you had to ask for a remote control to use it. Also, ask at the desk for a hair dryer if you need one.

I expect they have a particular room in mind and just want to know whether or not to push the beds together and sheet them as one. Some other hotels in Venice also give a small discount for cash, at least equal to the credit card processing fee they would otherwise pay.

I have stayed there twice. The most recent trip (2016 so I guess not too recent) I sprained my knee shortly before my trip. I emailed and requested a lower floor. They were happy to accommodate me. If the stairs are an issue you might ask for a different room.

I've stayed in at least 2 rooms there, one was a little higher and one lower and looking over the square. Both had one large bed for the two of us, we were comfortable in both but I wasn't particularly looking at the size of the bed. It was fine for us with no concerns.

Both were en-suite, and I managed to drop my laptop off the sink in the bathroom in the higher room onto the floor - I was shaving and had to do something on the laptop that just wouldn't wait - and it survived. I've had a soft spot in my heart for them and their floors since.

Good breakfast. Great staff.

Stayed there in 2015. Really enjoyed the location, and our rooms (on the floor above the main reception area) were relatively spacious and comfortable with en-suite bathrooms. The staff was extremely helpful, and the breakfast was great (really good fresh croissants every morning!).

Regarding your cash question... not sure if this is what they might have been referring to, but when I was there, upon checking out, I presented my credit card, which they were happy to accept. But they also alerted me that if I paid in cash, I'd receive a 5% discount. So I ran out to a nearby ATM and came back with the cash!

I stayed there last October for several nights before the same tour. I was on the 4th floor (US definition, measured from ground level, which would be European "third" floor). I had a large room with a big (king? queen?) bed and two singles, with ensuite bath. Didn't need all that space but that must have been what they had. I booked well ahead of the tour. The stairs were a drag but doable (I was 74), just took my time with the suitcase. On my first night, a Friday, I was bothered by loud music from the piazza below (the side facing Rialto), though the window was double glazed. No noise problems after that. When the tour started I moved to a smaller room, with one big bed and ensuite bath, one floor below, i.e. one floor above the lobby. I packed and they moved the suitcase during the day, also the three shirts I'd left hanging in the closet (duh...).

It's a very old building, originally medieval I think, with odd angles and corners, but it was comfortable enough and the staff mostly helpful. The RS tours come one after another and the breakfast room was crowded. Location couldn't be better, easy walks to Rialto, Frari Church, markets, vaporetto stop. I paid by credit card but there may have been a cash discount, I don't recall any discussion about that but I was there for three nights on my own so a cash payment would have been a lot.

Regarding the stairs -- they conveniently placed a comfortable chair on one of the landings for those who need to rest up before the next flight.

Thank you all for your insights! We can’t wait to be in Italy!

My adult daughter and I really enjoyed our stay at Hotel Pensione. Our room was one floor up from reception and we had a 'peek' of the Grand Canal which was really a treat. I enjoyed waking up in the morning and listening to the sellers prepare for the day at the fish market. Sure it was noise, but it was delightful noise. Paying in cash at this type of pensione or inn is quite common in Italy. I never mind as it usually includes a discount for not using a credit card.