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 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/

The Castello sesteri of Venice is the largest of the regions in Venice. Being divided into two parts Castello and Castello Alto it offers a variety of places to stay that should fit within a reasonable budget. Needless to say that staying in Venice is perhaps one of the most expensive hotels in the whole of Italy if not Europe itself. This region is mostly occupied by residents in the area so the level of nightlife might be less then what you can expect in other regions.

However since this region borders San Marco it should be ideal for those that want to see this city but not break the bank. Below is a list of some of the budget accommodations you might find in this wonderful sesteri.

Al Prava
Ruga Giuffa 4838/40, Campo Santa Maria Formosa
This hotel is quite nice with marble floors throughout and a very friendly family and staff are there to serve your needs.
Double Rates: 110 to 210 Euros
Phone: +39 041 528 5174
http://www.hotelalpiave.com/

Ca Del Dose
Castello 3801 (Riva degli Schiavoni)
This is a small cozy hotel that is better suited for an outdoorsy type of personality. Consisting of only five rooms this is perhaps one of the most intimate of hotels that you can
stay in this sesteri. Note that the bathrooms are very small in this hotel.
Double Rates: 70 to 125 Euros
Phone: +39 04 1520 9887
http://www.cadeldose.com

Casa Linger
Castello 3541, Salizzada Sant Antonin
Definitely for the active traveler or hearty student this is a no frills hotel that comes at a
reasonable rate considering.
Double Rates: 60 to 120 Euros
Phone: +39 04 1528 5920
http://www.hotelcasalinger.com/

Casa per Ferie Santa Maria della Pieta
3701 Castello, Calle della Pieta
This hotels seems to cater to the University student as the rooms are outfitted as dorm rooms. There are no televisions or pictures but there is plenty of light and room to move about.
Double Rates: 96 Euros
Phone: +39 04 1244 3639
http://www.pietavenezia.org/

Casa Querini
Castello 4388 - Campo San Zaninovo
A very small hotel with only 11 rooms this is quite an experience. Notably half of these 11 rooms look out onto the Santo Giovanni Novo square. This hotels boasts that it is only 2 minutes from San Marco square so it is definitely worth looking into.
Double Rates: 93 to 197 Euros
Phone: +39 041 241 1294

Doni
Calle del Vin 4656 San Zaccaria – Castello
Consisting of only 13 rooms this hotels is replete with narrow hallways and horrible creaky
floors. I would describe this hotel as an acquired taste.
Double Rates: 60 to 120 Euros
Phone: +39 041 522 4267
http://www.albergodoni.it

La Residenza
Castello 3608 - Campo Bandiera e Moro
This is a plush 17th century palazzo that has gone through a restoration process. For those that like this type of architecture I would definitely check this hotel out.
Double Rates: 80 to 160 Euros
Phone: +39 04 1528 5315
http://www.venicelaresidenza.com/

Locanda Silva
Castello 4423 - Fondamenta del Remedio
This is a friendly and hospitable 23 room hotel that is very near to Santa Maria Formosa.
Double Rates: 60 to 115 Euros
Phone: +39 04 1522 7643
http://www.locandasilva.it

Locanda SS. Giovanni e Paolo
Castello 6401 - Calle de l’Ospeaeto
This is a traditional six room hotel run as though in a 18th century palazzo.
Double Rates: 80 to 170 Euros
Phone: +39 041 522 2767

Rio
Castello 4356 - Campo SS. Filippo e Giacomo
This is a small 28 room hotel that has recently gone through a makeover. Larger than some of the other hotels on this list but still with a friendly staff.
Double Rates: 60 to 180 Euros
Phone: +39 04 1 523 4810
http://www.aciugheta-hotelrio.it