I got an incredible deal on a roundtrip ticket to Venice in Sept. I've been there once before. I'm currently looking for the smallest, least expensive place I can find for the 9 days I will be there. Are there other sites you can suggest other than Hotels.com? My price range is ridiculously low. I've never stayed in a hostel - I'm a young 61 - so don't know if I should go that way. I've always been lucky finding pensiones with no or one stars for very little money. I don't care about the amenities as long as the place is clean and safe. I looked into staying in Mestre, prices are about half. Has anyone done that? How difficult was it to get around from there? To go into Venice etc? I would appreciate any advice.
Posted by
11697 posts
Don't stay out in Mestre. Stay in Venice, more expensive but worth it.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17594 posts
I would never suggest staying in Meatre. It is inconvenient, with none of the charm of Venice, and several of the locals say on Tripadvisor that it is not safe at night.
I have seen recommendations here for inexpensive hotels in Veniceproper, like under 90€ for a single room. I think such places are fairly close to the train station (Santa Lucia) whichbis fine. Hopefully whoever knows of such places will see your question.
Innthe meantime, try searching on booking.com as well as hotels.com. You might also look for convent lodging.
Posted by
Washington DC
28462 posts
You can try booking.com, which I use all the time, but I can't promuse that you'll find options there much cheaper than on Hotels.com.
You also might try Googling for convent or monastery accommodations. They certainly exist in Italy, but I don't know about Venice.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11847 posts
Stay in Venice proper for the convenience and the atmosphere. Early mornings and evenings are magical in Venice. Skimp on food if you must, but stay in Venice.
I do not know what you mean by least expensive but we found Locanda La Corte to be lovely, clean, convenient, quiet. Good breakfast so if you load up, you might only need one more meal a day. We also enjoyed B&B Ai Tagliapietra on one trip.
If you use a booking engine like Booking.com you can find availability and pricing across a number of properties in one place.
Maybe a convent or a monastery are a possibility as well.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17594 posts
I just did a quick check on booking.com for random dates in September, price under $110 a night. These (among others) came up with private single room (some with shared bath) for $90 or less:
Hotel ai do Moritz, Ca' dei Polo, Hotel Guerrini, and Domus Ciliota.
Of course your actual dates will be different. Things were disappearing as I was on the website.
If you cannot find anyplace with availability for the whole nine days, consider splitting it into two separate stays. Or head to Verona over the weekend,mwhichnseems to be heavily booked up in Venice.
Posted by
martinez, ca, usa
2432 posts
Hello Betsy
What are your dates and how ridiculous low is your budget? Are you spending your days traveling on train to venice if you stay in mestre? IMHO i'm in your age group and would never stay in a hostel! You will probably be in a dorm room with 4 or 6 twin beds, sharing a bathroom with no privacy. That is not my cup of tea at this stage of my life,
Aloha Princess Pupule
*
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17594 posts
Website for rooms in convents and monasteries:
https://www.monasterystays.com/?d=Italy/Veneto/Venice-accommodation
Posted by
OP
Somerville, MA
4 posts
Thanks everyone. You strongly answered my question about staying outside of Venice! I checked out the places that were suggested. Most were booked or out of my price range which is $60 and less. (I know, I'm not dealing with reality!) The booking.com suggestion hit pay dirt for me. I found a monastery converted to a dorm-style hotel, 2 beds to a room with plenty of space between. The reviews were very positive with 8 stars and the pictures of a modern, simple interior appealed to my aesthetic. So did 358 euros for 9 nights! Located in Cannaregio. I will only be there to sleep so I think it won't be a problem to share. I'm a people person anyway! It helped me so much to get all your feedback! Molto grazie!
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
Since you're a people person and are going to stay in Cannaregio, check out Paradiso Perduto, a local restaurant frequented by locals. And for a very enjoyable (and free) stroll, check out the Parco delle Rimbranze in the "tail of the fish" for a delightful park with trees and great views out to the lagoon. https://goo.gl/maps/vk7rAZBZQqP2
Have a great time.
Posted by
OP
Somerville, MA
4 posts
Thanks Michael! I'm glad I joined this Forum - I'll take all the inside tips and advice I can get! This will be my 8th trip to Italy, second time to Venice but that was a long time ago.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
You might take a couple of nights and stay in Padova, it has lots of inexpensive rooms and cheap (good) food.
Posted by
Berkeley CA
1324 posts
Another vote for staying in a convent!
I recently stayed several nights 5 minutes from San Marco for about 64 Euros a night single. They did not serve breakfast but there were lots of places nearby. There is also a curfew, usually around 10 or 11 pm, but it didn't bother me.
The sisters were very sweet and the people who worked at the desk spoke English.
I love Venice! Have a wonderful time.