OK, all; I had posted the other day about trains in Italy and said I was staying 5 days in Verona and would also visit Padua and Venice during those 5 days.
Several commented that we should stay in Venice-proper for the night life. We have taken that to heart and have been looking for someplace in Venice to stay for two nights. But, everything is either full or VERY expensive. I've read in RS books that last-minuters like us can walk in to a place the night we want to stay there and get a smoking deal.
Who out there has done it this way: no reservation, just walk in and get a room? How did it turn out? We still have our Verona reservation, so it's no big deal if we can't get something right now.
Our time frame is to be in Venice itself on September 18 and 19 of this year.
Grazie mille!
Posted by
USA
344 posts
http://www.hotelfontana.it/eng/index.htm
Location, Location, Location.
Nice room for 2 with A/C, bathroom, and even a TV...LOL
110-150 euro.
Breakfast too!
Its in back of the Hotel Danieli Venice.
10% OFF IF YOU PAY CASH.
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
You didn't read that in Rick's book on Venice, did you? Here's what Rick says in his book about getting accommodations in Venice: "Reserve a room as soon as you know when you'll be in town. Hotels in Venice are usually booked up on...Fridays and Saturdays year-round." Your date of Sept 19 is a Friday.You probably want to have a Plan B to the "walk in and get a smoking deal" method for getting accommodations in Venice. It's just a plain fact that Venice is one of the most expensive cities in Europe for accommodations, and one of the most heavily booked: a limited number of accommodations, because they aren't selling any more vacant land in Venice to construct new hotels, and lots of people who want to be there.
Posted by
San Leandro, CA, USA
632 posts
Robyn,
Kent said it all. You still have time if you get on trip advisor and start down the list, or alternatively, go to the search function and look for hotels in Venice and see what has been suggested before. David's recommendation looks awesome (great location and great price).the Doni Hotel is also behind the Danieli typically at about 110 Euro's night or less.
Posted by
San Leandro, CA, USA
632 posts
This is another good Hotel in a great location...check out the traveler photos.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187870-d571526-Reviews-Ca_dei_Dogi-Venice_Veneto.html
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
Try an RS favorite place: Pensione Guerrato. We've stayed there twice and loved it both times. Book now.
Posted by
OP
Florence, OR, US
267 posts
Thanks all!
I actually got a reply from Guerrato; they have one room left that is "noisy because it's near the reception desk" and the bathroom is across the lobby.
There was a paragraph in RS "Italy" under "Big Expensive Hotels" that said something about "walk-in last minute travelers get deep discounts, often only paying 100 euro per night". That's what I was basing this inquiry upon and wondered how feasible that was.
gotta run; I'm supposed to be cleaning people's teeth!! (don't tell my boss...) :)
Posted by
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
207 posts
We stayed at the Pensione Guerrato in May in a room near the Reception with bath and shower nearby. It was excellent, safe, quiet and paying cash-90 Euros a night in the Rialto market, a one minute walk from the Vaporettos. George, Monica and the owners are super helpful. By the way, we are seniors who normally don't accept rooms requiring a walk to toileta nd shower... we would do this again in a heartbeat. GO FOR IT. George
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Robyn: Oh good, you're headed in the right direction now, making inquiries now and trying to book ahead. Rick's advice about getting Venice hotels is different than his general advice about Italy in general: For Venice, book ahead for a weekend any time of year, or you're taking an unnecessary chance--or, hey, you might get lucky. You get to make the call, because it's your trip; and then you get to find out, on the ground in Venice, if you made the right decision. That's the way it should be. But lots of people think it's good to have a Plan B for Venice accommodations on a Friday night.
Posted by
San Leandro, CA, USA
632 posts
Robyn,
I had a logic class in college that dealt with how you could make general observations from specific data, and you can make general observations from general data, but you can't make specific observations from general data...Rick's statement in his "Italy Guide" book is a general statement...his observations about Venice (as noted in Kent's comments) is a specific statement:-)
Posted by
OP
Florence, OR, US
267 posts
I got three replies: Locanda Silva, Ca' San Trovaso, and Pensione Guerrato. I settled on Pensione Guerrato due to price, location and recommendation.
Voi ringrazio per tutto l'aiuto! (Did I say that right?)
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
Almost. You want "Vi ringrazio per tutto l'aiuto" (For others, this means "I thank you for all your help.")
Posted by
OP
Florence, OR, US
267 posts
Oh, ok, thanks! I was SOO close! I am learning Italian on my own through podcasts and a CD set, and I've been at it off and on for under a year. A lot of things have not been covered, so I guessed at that one. :)
Thanks, and have a great holiday weekend!
Posted by
San Leandro, CA, USA
632 posts
Robyn,
You are way ahead of most of us...taking the time to learn Italian before you go will enrich your experience beyond belief...you will have opportunities to connect with Italians in ways you cannot imagine.
Buon viaggio!
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA, USA
35 posts
Robyn,
I stayed at the Pensione Guerrato this past April and really liked it. The location is great. However, be careful of the directions they give you to reaach them because they told us to get off the boat at the Rialto stop then you have to cross the bridge and walk about a 1/2 mile and then find the hotel. After arriving there we found a stop around the corner from the hotel; sorry I can't remember the name of the stop but it's right before the Rialto stop. Enjoy.
Mariann