Prices and general advice
This selection of mid-range Venice hotels is for visitors who are looking for a good and comfortable place to stay but who don’t want to splash out on a five-star holiday. Three and four-star hotels in Venice are usually efficient, with en-suite rooms, some public space (sometimes not much though) and will be comfortable places to stay.
There is quite a variety, from basic hotels which just about meet the official star-rating criteria to luxurious hotels which will really stretch your budget. As a rough guide you can expect to pay between €150 and €350 a night for a double room (more for hotels offering a bit extra in stylishness or other features), although prices do vary considerably according to date.
Hotels with the same star rating are not always of the same quality, and you will notice the difference between a cheap three-star hotel and an expensive one. Read recent guest reviews attentively and don’t expect to find a bargain – look for something that will suit you and fit your budget. Our Italy hotels article will help prepare you for what to expect. Italian city hotels rarely have restaurants (you will eat better and more cheaply at local restaurants, even in Venice), the ‘bar’ will often be a small and under-used sideboard with little atmosphere and rooms are likely to be smaller than transatlantic travellers are used to.
This was going to be a list of just the ‘best’ hotels in this category, but in order to include different districts, budgets and styles of hotel, we’ve made it a wider selection. Some more excellent mid-range hotels can be found on our Grand Canal hotels page, although you should expect to pay considerably more for a view of the Grand Canal.
Ca’ San Giorgio
Somewhere between a boutique hotel and a B&B, this attractive option is a low-key and comfortable place to stay in a quiet spot close to the Grand Canal. With a friendly welcome and plenty of Venetian atmosphere, it’s one of my favourites.
> Read my review
> More information/make a booking
Hotel Campiello ***
The Campiello is an extremely nice three-star hotel in an ideal location for first-time tourists in Venice, not far from St. Mark’s Square. Small and elegant, the hotel is a very comfortable place to stay, and it often has some really good-value room-rates. I’ve stayed there in the past, and would recommend it.
> Read my hotel review
> More information/make a booking
La Locandiera ***
La Locandiera offers new and comfortable three-star accommodation close to St Mark’s in the heart of Venice. It’s small and low-key, but offers very nice rooms at good prices. I stayed there on my first ever trip to Venice; a long time ago now, but reviews are still consistently good.
> Read our hotel review
> More information/make a booking
Hotel Paganelli ***
This hotel has an excellent location on Riva degli Schiavoni just a few moments from the Palazzo Ducale and St. Mark’s Square. Some of Venice’s finest views are just outside the door. Inside, the hotel is compact but comfortable, with prettily-furnished bedrooms. i found it a very handy and pleasant base when I stayed for two nights.
> Read our hotel review
> More information/make a booking
Hotel Abbazia ***
The Hotel Abbazia is part of an old monastery complex in Cannaregio, close to the Grand Canal. It offers a good balance of convenience, comfort and value for money. The interior is elegant and retains interesting features from the building’s past, including a pulpit in the lounge area. The hotel has a little garden, unusually for Venice. Recommended by past guests (but they warn of early-morning church bells). It’s a very good choice if you have an early or late train as it’s about five minutes’ walk from the railway station (maybe less). From the station (Venezia Santa Lucia) just turn left, pass the church and the bridge and then take the alley on your left, where you’ll see signs for this hotel and others.
> More information/make a booking
Palazzo Abadessa ***
Palazzo Abadessa is a small elegant hotel which still has the feel of a private palazzo. It’s in a quiet spot in Cannaregio, down a little alley from the busy pedestrian thoroughfare Strada Nuova. Facing onto a little canal, it also has a water entrance. There are some picturesque spots nearby and it’s only a short walk from the Rialto. Handy for the vaporetto (Ca’ d’Oro stop) and for ferries to the islands. The hotel has a little walled garden where guests can enjoy breakfast in summer months. A good choice for honeymoons or anniversaries.
> More information / make a booking
Hotel Foscari Palace ****
One of the nicest hotels on the Grand Canal, the Foscari Palace is in an excellent location close to the Rialto and the Ca’ d’Oro vaporetto stop. It is an elegant historic palace with good-size rooms, a few of which have views of the Grand Canal. There is also a little rooftop terrace. Another good spot for a romantic break.
> More information / make a booking
> See my list of all the hotels on the Grand Canal
Hotel Ai Mori D’Oriente ****
This is yet another Cannaregio hotel – it’s a useful area for quiet canals and good accommodation. This four-star hotel is on one of the most appealing canals in the area, close to the lively Fondamenta della Misericordia. It’s a bit removed from the biggest tourist sights, but is particularly good for a longer trip when you want to get a real feel for Venice. The hotel is smart with good bedrooms.
> More information / make a booking
Hotel Liassidi Palace ****
I walked past once and this hotel looked so attractive I was drawn inside. It is in a nice area packed with small canals and lanes not far from St. Mark’s and the long waterfront of Riva degli Schiavoni. The hotel is elegant and luxurious, with good public spaces including a little outdoor sitting area. Two ground-floor junior suites cater for disabled visitors – an unusual effort in this difficult city (request one of these in the comments form when making your booking). The hotel’s prices reflect the high standards.
> More information / make a booking
Starhotels Splendid Venice ****
This large chain hotel is popular, and well-reviewed, making it a decent option for busy tourists, if lacking in intimacy and atmosphere. The location between St. Mark’s and the Rialto is very convenient if you’re here for a short (or your first) trip and want to see all the big sights. The hotel has canal views and a range of room types.
> More information / make a booking
> Venice accommodation search – for a complete listing of the latest availability, prices and reviews.