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Hotel San Marco in Venice - a real gem

by Charlotte
(Leeds)

Finding a decent hotel in Venice isn't exactly a difficult task; after all, this is a city which attracts the rich and famous from across the world all year round and is also a favourite honeymoon destination with couples of all ages.

However, although there certainly is a wide range of nice hotels on offer, one option that you should certainly consider is the Hotel San Marco.

After spending three nights in this hotel earlier this year, I can say with confidence that you will be guaranteed a warm welcome at this establishment, which boasts the honour of being the closest hotel you can find to the famous St. Mark's Square.

Some hotels in Venice can feel a little impersonal and unwelcoming but that genuinely isn't the case here. It's a 3-star hotel, so perhaps not the most luxurious choice you could find in the city, but you wouldn't know that to look at the place.

The hotel is a restored 19th century palace and combines modern amenities with the grandeur of a bygone era. It really is located just a matter of steps away from St. Mark's Square, so a stay here can truly make you feel like you've gone back in time by a couple of hundred years (but in a good way; you're not offered porridge and scraps for breakfast and dinner!)

Of course, you'll want to escape the confines of your hotel whilst staying in a city that offers so much for food lovers, but the restaurant does have a pretty decent restaurant. We tried it out for dinner on our first night after arriving fairly late and the range of Venetian specialties on offer at acceptable prices was quite impressive. The cocktails on offer in the bar were also especially welcome after a hard day's sightseeing!

The hotel can also arrange special guided tours that will ensure you see all the sights of the city, which can seem like an unapproachable labyrinth to first-time visitors. Excursions can also be arranged with the hotel, which is handy as it saves you the time and hassle of tracking down a reliable tour operator in the city.

If you're planning on booking a longer trip in Italy, combine a trip to Venice with the architectural splendour of Florence and Rome. If you do decide to do this, make sure you book your accommodation early as hotels in Rome get full very quickly.

A Good and Cheap Hotel in Venice

by Tony
(UK)

Maria, if any of your site visitors are looking for a superb value hotel in Venice then they really can't go wrong with the three star Hotel Fontana. I really had a fabulous time here and the location is tops. One of the most affordable hotels in Venice but better than most other Venetian hotels that cost twice as much.

Venice too is a lovely city however I would suggest to anyone visiting that if you have a little bit of time on your hands don't only visit Venice but visit the rest of the Veneto region too.

One of the things I have found most helpful with your site is how much coverage you give to the other parts of the Veneto., It really is one of the nicest parts of Italy with so many quaint little towns all over the place and quite the most spectacular scenery in the mountain ranges to the north.

Most people only ever seem to Venice and sometimes Verona which is a real shame.

Maria's reply: Thank you very much for your kind words about the site and for sharing your hotel tip. I agree, one hundred per cent, with you about not only visiting Venice and Verona. If you do visit the Veneto there is so much else to see and it's all gorgeous!!

Hotel Flora Venice Italy

by Kim

The Hotel Flora in Venice Italy was the hotel we chose for our first ever trip of a lifetime to Venice. I took forever and a day to choose and I always make sure I find out all I can before booking but even then, you never really know until you get there do you?

I am always like that, and it drives my husnband quite mad!!

In this case it turned out fantastic - way better than I hoped for.

If anybody wants a hotel offering superb value in just the most perfect location the Hotel Flora Venice might be perfect for you.

Best thing of all was the courtyard, breakfast was served here in this little oasis of calm with birds singing all around and in the late afternoon it was the perfect place to sit after a mad day of sightseeing!!


P.S. Thank you too for your site Maria which I discovered only once I was already in Venice. I went to visit some of the hotels you recommend while I was in Venice and they look GREAT!! I will definitely save my sanity and my husbands next time by following your advice!! We hope to return to Italy next year and visit Rome and the Cinque Terre.

Maria's reply: Thank you for your tip on the Hotel Flora, I will certainly visit.

If you visit Rome next year check out my Rome hotel picks and for more on the Cinque Terre you can see my husband's guide to the Cinque Terre here.

Three nights at Palazzo Stern

by MCW
(Salt Lake City Utah, USA)

My wife and I had a room over looking the Grand Canal for 3 nights. I was surprised the weather and noise, or lack of, that we were able to sleep with our window wide open. The hotel is beautiful and the staff was attentive and professional. Would I stay there again? Absolutely!

Maria's reply I agree with you about the Palazzo Stern. It is one of the hotels we recommend in our guide to the best three and four star hotels in Venice.

Everything about the hotel is pretty much as good as it gets in Venice.

Cheap Hotels in Venice

by Leah Prendergast
(London)

Four Cheap Venice Hotels with Canal Views

A room with a view: that’s what you need when you visit Venice.
It’s the sort of thing you can’t put a price on in this extraordinarily romantic city - opening your curtains to the sight of light flashing on the water while gondolas drift by really gives you that ‘ahh, Venice!” kick.

So, don’t settle for the fire escape option – get a gorgeous canal view for less at one of these lovely budget Venice hotels, hostels or apartments…

San Marco Apartments

A skip and a jump from St. Mark’s Square, San Marco Apartments’ This apartment is perfect for families or groups of friends. With canal views from the rooms and a covered rooftop terrace, you can settle into the Venetian surroundings without having to leave your home-from-home.

The large apartment matches cosy, traditional decor with modern comforts – there are two double bedrooms, two bathrooms a fully-equipped kitchen and air conditioning throughout. The lounge has satellite TV, and unlike with many older buildings in the city, you can reach the apartment via lift.

Hotel Locanda Salieri

Handy for backpackers (it’s a five-minute walk from Venice’s main train station and Piazza Roma coach terminal), Hotel Locanda Salieri offers private, budget rooms with romantic views of the canal del Gaffaro.

It’s a good value-for-money option for those travelling on a shoestring: rooms have their own bathrooms, hairdryers, air conditioning, TVs and free Wi-Fi.

Friendly Venice

The beautifully-decorated Friendly Venice hotel sits on Campo Santo Stefano in the city-centre, with direct access from the historic square.

Italian designer stores like Gucci and Versace are a stone’s throw away, and breakfast is included in the rate. All rooms have canal views as well as high ceilings, parquet floors, chandeliers and antique Venetian furniture – it’s definitely one of the most elegant Venice cheap hotels.

Hotel Fontana

by Kim Steinle
(Adelaide, South Australia )

A wonderful hotel made all the more so by the extraordinary family who own and operate the Hotel Fontana.

On top of the location and quality of the accommodation, it was the warmth shown by the family. The care, guidance and information provided to us that all amounted to an extraordinary stay.

It was so delightful we returned from Australia just 2 years later.

Maria's reply: Thank you very much for your message and I went and had a look at the hotel today as I am currently in Venice. It does indeed appear to be a lovely hotel.

I always love family run hotels so thank you for sharing this one with us - Andrew and I really appreciate your taking the time to review this hotel in Venice and I am sure many of our followers will appreciate your recommendation too..