Venice - Worth it to spend more for comfort?

It depends, and only you know what your priorities are. I have to stick to a firm budget and rarely pay more than $100 for a room, even in Venice. I look for clean, quiet places to stay with a good bed, and that are convenient to walk to sites or use public transportation. I don't value a lot of other services because I don't use them (i.e. a concierge, wi-fi access, business center). Plus I assume that I will be in my room primarily to sleep, so things like a view or TV aren't important to me either. Ask yourself if you would use the services you'll be paying for getting in a more expensive room. I'm a foodie, so I'd prefer to spend the money I save on my room for better meals (and gelato). Other people prefer to spend their money shopping, it all depends on your preference.

Rick Steves' books, tripadvisor, and venere are all sites that can provide a good selection of clean, comfortable budget places if that is the route you choose.

Hi Bethanne - For many years I've stayed , each year, at -
http://www.hotelcasanova.it/
Located directly behind Piazza San Marco it is an excellent Hotel - easy walking to The Rialto Area, and, after dark, a minute from the square where you can watch the battle of the bands - As the Cafes compete for your attention. Enjoy, but don't sit - cover is too much.
My friends Dario and Stefano run the front desk and will take excellent care of you. Include is an excellent free breakfast and they will also give you free water taxi tickets to Murano and Burano.

Ciao, Greg

Thanks for your post! I went through Rick's Venice 2010 book and narrowed down about 18 B&B's with prices for no higher than 160 EUROS.

I emailed about 14 of them and about 10 had vacancies, then today, checked out about 8 on tripadvisor and they all had "iffy" reviews, i.e. nasty service, nasty attitudes, crappy beds, crappy breakfast...

I'm worried about getting to Venice and having the end of our trip suck just b/c I was picked a place because it was cheaper.

I find quality doesn't necessarily depend on price. I would start with TripAdvisor or search the older posts on this board and compile a list of 10 or so places that have good reviews/ratings, THEN sort them by price.

Haven't been to Venice, but I much preferred our 2 star, 95 euro a night hotel in Rome to our 3 star, 140 euro a night hotel in Florence.

I hear you on that completely, price doesn't always mean better service. It's just all the cheaper ones I looked into, and when I say cheap, they are all still at least 130 euros a night, have had crappy reviews on tripadvisor...when I looked into a couple that were 160 euros and up, they had better reviews...

I looked into that Guerrato place. The prices were geat but I was very iffy b/c they have no pics of what their place looks like, makes me feel like their hiding something...lol!! That could also just be my paranoia.

RETRACT on Guerrato...I just went again and was able to find pics...I think maybe my computer was acting up...I will definitely look into that place!!

We have for many years stayed at apartments in Venice. We have always enjoyed the experience. There are usually 3 night minimums.

We have used www.veniceapartments.org recently and have been pleased, but there are lots of others as well

Put me in the Guerrato fan camp. We've stayed there twice and recommend it highly. Excellent location and very friendly staff and owners.

Another spot that gets good reviews from folks is Pensione La Calcina on Dorsoduro.

http://www.lacalcina.com/

Yet another vote for Guerrato. It is truly lovely...make sure and request a room with a view and you might be fortunate enough to have a room overlooking a small market with a glimpse of the Grande Canal. I have stayed there twice and both times my room was very spacious with huge windows.

You may wish to check whether places have an elevator, if that is important for you, or book a room on the lower floors. Buildings are old and often not suitable for retro fitting. Also maybe check about the stairs, they can be steep and narrow.

Not sure when you're going, but on our upcoming trip we're renting a "suite" (not a full apartment) for 160 euros/night that is RIGHT on the grand canal with a dock. The owners have been wonderful to work with too, and I'll certainly give an update here when I return on all the places we stayed. Found them on www.VRBO.com/184569

There are reviews on there as well from past renters, but they do book up pretty quickly.

I am looking forward to staying at Pensione Guerrato in June. Two of the owners are featured on Rick's dvds. They have been very friendly as I have confirmed my arrangements with them. In 2008, I stayed at Al Ponte Mocenigo and loved it. It is very highly rated on TripAdvisor. It's a little further away from Rialto/San Marcos area, but is a great neighborhood with friendly staff.

We stayed at B&B Venezia in St Elena on our last trip to Venice. It was definitely by far the cheapest place we have ever stayed. It was also quite enjoyable because of its location away from the hustle and bustle of heavily touristed San Marco.

Price should not be the only factor in your comfort equation.

Thank you thank you!!

Everyone's input has been great!!

So, elevators do not matter to me. I'll just have Mike carry everything...(lol), seriously though, I don't mind stairs.

I have been checking out all the recommended places as well as Guerrato and will let everyone know my decision, once I pick one.

I do know price doesn't alway make comfort but just in what I had found recently I was only finding better reveiws on higher priced places.

Thank you very much everyone!! You have all eased my nerves...I was getting very frustrated!! ;)

Bethanne,

I wouldn't worry too much about the nasty attitude reviews on Tripadvisor.

I had an Italian roommate in college. I think he put it best when he said, "Italians either love you or they hate you, there is no in between."

On our trek through Italy, we saw mostly (but not all) love. I think it was because we were traveling as a family, Italians are big on family, with pretty well behaved kids (including a seven-year old daughter who got compliments until her head grew several sizes). I also made an effort to learn some Italian, which helped a lot.

Venice is full of tourists and the locals don't automatically warm to them. If anything, the onus may be on you to seperate yourself from the crowd.

If you are personable and warm, you will probably receive a great return on your investment. If you are demanding and unsatisfied, you will get a lot of dirty looks and less than stellar service.

Brad,

I completely intend on learning some italian to get us by b/c I feel the same way here in America, learn the language or at least enough to help me, help you, so I will apply it to another Country.

I think I'm pretty nice and am very talkative, friendly and open...so hopefully we'll do fine.

I have checked out some other places and seen great reviews and working on the details of how long we'll be there now...

Thanks ;)

p.s...has your little girl's head deflated yet?!? lol!! ;)

If you are going to be in Venice in the summer, you may want to consider a hotel with a/c. Venice can be very humid. If you open the windows (which generally don't have screens on them), you may get mosquitoes unless you take precautions against them coming into your room. Just some additional thoughts. Have fun!

another vote for the Pensionne Gueratto here! The bed could have been better, but it was Ok. The room was big and so was the bathroom. Great place and fun location.

http://www.hotelguerrini.it/en/prices

Not on Steves' List, but it should be.

Denise - We are going September 19-28 Rome & Venice. AC is already one of my requirements...I'm not a fan of the heat...lol!!

Thomas - I have heard, I am looking into them.

Francis - I will check that place out.

Thanks everyone!!

casarezzonico.it

We stayed in a huge room, in quiet area, for 135E per night in March. So, if you're going higher season, it would be more than that, but give them a try. Price seems to be negotiable too.

So worth it to be away from the prices and crowds of Realto or San Marco. We loved it and wouldn't stay anywhere else. 7 rooms, spotlessly clean, friendly owners, and felt more like real Venice.

Quick walk to great restaurants, 10 minutes to Rialto, 15 to San Marco and about one minute to the Grand Canal and handy Vaporetto and Traghetto.

Have fun!

Check out Hotel Santa Lucia in Venice. A double room is 105 euro...with breakfast 115euro. I've been checking places and this works for us, some very good reviews right on the Rick Steves site. Walking distance from the train station good for us, who wants to carry a suitcase over bridges or water taxi to find a hotel Hope this helps