A Month In Venice

Staying in Venice is an expensive venture. However I hope my recent series on budget hotels in Venice have helped some of my readers. Alas this is really only helpful if you wish to stay for a couple of days or perhaps a week. What are you going to do if you wish to stay in Venice for an extended period of time? I have many friends who are artists and would love to stay in this city just to absorb the atmosphere and to hone their craft. What options do they have as students to stay in Venice? Well fortunately there are many good search engines and directories you can use to find ideal locations to stay and that will hopefully fit into a tight budget as well.

The very first place I would look is Venice Apartments.org as they seem to have the most comprehensive listing of available flats to rent. Not only will this site help you find a great apartment but they also have some “inside” information on how not to get cheated in this wonderful city. What I found to be particularly good is the tips and tricks section of the website as the information contained leads me to some new places to eat and see. That alone was worth the visit in my opinion.

The second place to look would be the great site of Venice By.com which is another hotel search engine. However they have a great listing of apartments that may overlap with the Venice Apartments.org. This site is different in its comprehensives listing of restaurants and local attractions that is sure to keep any person busy while staying in the area.

Lastly I would check out wenicevenice.it as a place to look for an apartment. This is not a comprehensive listing of apartments and the focus seems to be apartments in the Dorsoduro district. This district seems to be particularly popular with the student crowd so I would check it out if that is what you are looking for.

Hopefully this advice will help any student looking for an flat in Venice. Budget accommodations are not really easy to find in this city as there is a scarcity and a high demand from visitors. However do not give up there are many hidden gems out there if you are willing to search for them. Just keep looking.

The sesetri of San Croce is best know because it is just across from the bridge of the Santa Lucia station where many of the tourists of Italy enter the city. This part of town is known by its many older buildings that date to the medieval times. So needless to say that this part of town definitely has its charms. One of the benefits of staying in this district is that there are many small restaurants or trattoria’s all throughout so you know you will find a good place to eat somewhere. Because of the high amount of traffic that this district receives finding budget accommodations can be difficult.

Below is a listing of some of the best budget hotels of the San Croce region in Venice.

Al Ponte Mocenigo
Santa Croce 2063 - Fondamenta de rimpeto a Ca’
Having only 10 rooms does not mean this hotel lacks anything. Quite the opposite as you will find a wealth of antique furnishings and well appointed rooms throughout.
Phone: +39 04 1524 4797
http://www.alpontemocenigo.com

Casa Peron
Santa Croce 85 - Salizzada San Pantalon
A small hotel of only 11 rooms this place is filled with artwork throughout and a very friendly staff as this is a family run establishment.
Phone: +39 04 171 1038
http://www.casaperon.com/

Falier
Santa Croce 130 - Salizzada San Pantalon
Having 19 rooms this is another hotel to check out. Not a hotel lacking anything this place is sure to please even the most picky budget traveler.
Phone: +39 041 710 882
http://www.hotelfalier.com/

Hotel Dalla Mora
Santa Croce 42, Salizzada S. Pantalon
Another small but well appointed and well run hotel of only 14 rooms.
Phone: +39 04 171 0703
http://www.hoteldallamora.it/

Locanda Salieri
Santa Croce 160 - Fondamenta Minotto
A tiny hotel of 11 rooms this place is great if you want to have a balcony view of the Canal del Gaffaro which is sure to please some.
Phone: +39 04 171 0035
http://www.hotelsalieri.com

The Cannaregio sesteri is one of the most convenient in the whole of Venice. This has its benefits and its drawbacks. Since this is such a convenient place to sleep many of the hotels are easily forgettable as they receive much tourist traffic. Also I would like to point out that many of the restaurants here cater to tourists so they are a bit overprices and mediocre at best. I am not saying you will not find some memorable gems in the mix but I do believe that they will be hard to find if you do not know any locals to show you the way. If you are coming by train then this is one region you should really check out as this sesteri is bordered by both the train station and the famous Rialto bridge on the other end.

Below is a listing of some of the more notable places to stay in this region of Venice.

Al Vagon
Cannaregio 5619 - Campiello Riccardo Selvatico
This hotel is central to the sesteri so it is very convient for any traveler who wishes to see the sights that are located within walking distance.
Double Rates: 60 to 110 Euros
Phone: +39 041 528 5626

Alloggi Gerotto Calderon
Cannaregio 283, Campo S. Geremia
This is a family owned and operated hotel consisting of only 12 rooms. They have been in
operations for some time and with the reputation that they maintain I would say they will continue to have a steady stream of customers.
Double Rates: 50 to 85 Euros
Phone: +39 04 171 5562
http://www.casagerottocalderan.com

Ariel Silva
Cannaregio 1391/A - Calle della Masena
This hotel is just off the main street of the sesteri and it is within walking distance of just about everything you might want to see in the city.
Double Rates: 60 to 105 Euros
Phone: +39 041 714 773
http://www.arielsilva.it/

Bernardi Semenzato
Cannaregio 4366 - Calle de l’Oca
This hotel is just steps away from the famous San Marco Plaza!
Double Rates: 50 to 95 Euros
Phone: +39 041 522 7257

Guerrini
Cannaregio 265 - Calle de le Procuratie
This is a pretty much of a standard hotel with little in the way of character as this hotel prides itself on its professionalism.
Double Rates: 55 to 150 Euros
Phone: +39 041 715 333

Hotel Arcadia
Cannaregio 1333D, Rio Tera San Leonardo
This hotels coms across as your standard fare from the outset but look deeper and you will see the wealth that is inside this restored 17th century building. Definitely worth a look.
Double Rates: 70 to 120 Euros
Phone: +39 041 71 7355

Hotel Minerva e Nettuno
Cannaregio 230, Tera Lista di Spagna
Perhaps a bit overpriced hotel to stay in during high season!
Double Rates: 45 to 115 Euros
Phone: +39 04 171 5968
http://www.minervaenettuno.it

Hotel Rossi
Calle delle Procuratie 262
Double Rates: 64 to 92 Euros
Phone: +39 041 715 164
http://www.hotelrossi.ve.it/

Hotel San Geremia
Cannaregio 290, Campo San Geremia
This hotel has some amazing views but that is just about all.
Double Rates: 50 to 120 Euros
Phone: + 3904 1716245
http://www.sangeremiahotel.com

Hotel Santa Lucia
Cannaregio 358, Calle della Misericordia
A very clean and friendly hotel run by mother and son. Marble floors throughout!
Double Rates: 70 to 110 Euros
Phone: +39 041 715 180
http://www.hotelslucia.com

Ostello Santa Fosca
Cannaregio 2372, Fondamenta Daniele Canal
Serving as a student housing unit this is more of a youth hostel.
Double Rates: 44 Euros
Phone: + 39 04 171 5775
http://www.santafosca.com

Residenza Ca’ Riccio
Cannareggio 5394/a (Campo dei Miracoli)
A charming six room hotel that is located near the Rialto bridge.
Double Rates: 90 to 120 Euros
Phone: +39 041 528 2334
http://www.cariccio.com/

Villa Rosa
Cannaregio 389 - Calle Misericordia
Very close to the train station this hotel would be best served as a place to stay before you leave the city by train.
Double Rates: 70 to 130 Euros
Phone: +39 04 171 6569
http://www.villarosahotel.com/

The Dorsoduro sesteri is by far the largest of the districts in Venice, Italy. Originally this district was the home to starving artists and musicians. However over time this is no longer the case as this is one very expensive district to live or visit. This sesteri is located across the Accademia bridge from San Marco so it is well know for its art museums such as the Accademia Art Museum and the Peggy Guggenheim Museum as well as many other galleries. You will not be without a place to eat here either as this is a great place to use the waterfront cafes that are prevalent here. Also if you like the nightlife you can find it clustered near Campo Santa Margherita which is located here. Perhaps these are some for the reasons for the lack of inexpensive hotel accommodations. However there are some gems to be found.

Below is a listing of some of the better finds if you are on a budget in Venice.

Albergo Hotel Antico Capon
Campo Santa Margherita 3004/B
This hotel is ideal for the bar hopping types that need a place to crash after a heavy night of partying. Located in the heart of the nightclub scene on Campo Santa Margherita. Very reasonably priced considering the location.
Double Rates: 40 to 95 Euros
Phone: +39 041 528 5292
http://www.anticocapon.com/

Antica Locanda Montin
Dorsoduro 1147 - Fondamenta di Borgo
For the true art lover this hotel is just minutes from the Accademia Art Museum and the Guggeheim Art Museum.
Double Rates: 80 to 150 Euros
Phone: +39 041 522 7151

Ca’ Rezzonico Apartment Venice
Dorsoduro 2813 - Fondamenta Gherardini
This is a charming hotel consisting of only 6 rooms. Built and maintained in the style of 16th century Venice this hotel does not disappoint.
Double Rates: 80 to 150 Euros
Phone: +39 041 277 0653
http://www.casarezzonico.it/

Hotel Galleria
Dorsoduro 878 A
For those that want to get away from it all this is the hotel for you. Not a television in sight and furnishing that bring you back to the classic Venice style of living.
Double Rates: 110 to 165 Euros
Phone: +39 041 523 2489
http://www.hotelgalleria.it

Hotel Messner
Dorsoduro 216, Madonna della Salute
Located in the shadow of the Madonna della Salute church this hotel is ideal for the very religious.
Double Rates: 120 to 160 Euros
Phone: +39 041 522 7443

La Calcina
Dorsoduro 780 - Fondamenta de le Zattere ai Gesuati
For those that like to splurge now and then this hotel might just be for you. Since this hotel is so close to the Accademia galleries and other key locations you can really save some steps by reserving a room here.
Double Rates: 99 to 201 Euros
Phone: +3904 115206466
http://www.lacalcina.com/

Locanda Ca Foscari
Calle della Frescada 3887/B
This hotel is very convienient if you are coming from the train station as it is located only 10 minutes away. This hotel is on the border of Santa Croce and Dorsoduro so plan accordingly.
Double Rates: 65 to 98 Euros
Phone: +39 041 710 401
http://www.locandacafoscari.com/

Previously in this blog I have briefly discussed one of the best hotels to stay in Venice, Italy. Of course this option is really only for the truly wealthy or those that occasionally like to splurge on themselves. I do realize that this hotel and many other hotels are well out of the range for some of my readers. Further there are those that like to live the backpacking lifestyle of traveling on a budget and so they do not cause a lot of environmental impact. I must applaud anyone who has those goals in mind as they are far better then me, even though I am a bit of a environmentalist.

There are some well kept and well run campgrounds in the city of Venice. Many have all the features of a high priced hotel which includes laundry services, free wifi services for those that want to stay connected to home base, continental breakfasts and restaurants on site.

These are just some of the places I found you could stay while in Venice and on a budget. Since most of these places offer mobile homes and bungalows you do not have to sleep in a tent or under the stars if you do not wish it.

Camping Della Serenissima
This campground is only 20 minutes away from the center of town by public transport. Offering many services such as a pizzeria, restaurant, market, satellite television and even token washing machines. Obviously this is a comprehensive campground that does not skimp on the luxuries.

Camping Fusina
This campground is even closer in that it is only 15 minutes away from the center of town by public transport. This site boasts of having the first Internet café in a campground in the whole of Venice. So obviously then it would be logical to assume that you can keep up to date and stay in touch here. Camping Fusina is one of the friendliest campgrounds offering such amenities as beach parties, sumo wrestling and a 24 hour laundry.

Camping Jolly delle Querce
This campground is right off the highway and very near the rail station as well. Since this campground is only 15 minutes away from the center of town as well I think it is logical to assume that it is near the other campgrounds. While not as luxurious as the previously mentioned campgrounds. Camping Jolly delle Querce does seem to be clean and well maintained.

Plus Alba D’Oro Camping
Since this campground boasts of the best budget accommodations in Venice I am assuming that you get what you pay for. Basically for 10.00 Euros you can stay in a 2 persons house tent. This campground also does offer internet café, pizzeria, take away, luggage storage and late night Gondola bar.

These campgrounds are for the hearty souls that wish to live a little and stay in a more rough environment then what the older folks are used to. Since many of these places cater to the backpacker and college student it is pretty obvious who you are going to be associating with if you choose to stay at any of these places.

You do not have to skimp on some services if you choose to “rough it” a bit while in Europe. Clearly these campgrounds are designed to keep their guests happy and some seem to go out of their way to make sure you feel at home. Definitely worth checking out if you are on a budget.