Information on Accommodations in Venice
Dense Development:
Since the entire island of Venice resembles a historic old town, the buildings are constructed very close together. You’ll notice this even in your hotel room: the surrounding houses are often just a few meters away, which usually limits the view from the window. Even during the day, the light in the room can seem rather subdued.
If you value natural light and a beautiful view, you should choose a hotel on the Grand Canal or one overlooking the lagoon. The upscale hotels in these locations offer bright rooms with large windows and picturesque views of the water.
Why Many Hotels in Venice Don't Have a Restaurant
Venice is a unique island city, characterized by narrow alleys and numerous
Waterways. Space here is extremely limited and precious. For this reason, only a few hotels have their own restaurant offering half-board or full-board meals.
The space occupied by a restaurant—including the kitchen and storage area—is generally used more efficiently if it is instead allocated to five to ten additional guest rooms. For many hotels, this is significantly more profitable.
Only larger hotels with four or more stars often offer their guests their own restaurant—they have the necessary infrastructure and space to provide this service.
City Size and Hotel Location
Venice is a compact city—you can easily walk across the entire island in about 30 to 40 minutes. This has an important implication: the location of your hotel is less critical than in other cities. Instead of focusing on a central location, it’s best to prioritize value for money when choosing your accommodations.
Here's an example: a hotel near the Rialto Bridge is located right in the heart of the city and is only about a seven-minute walk from St. Mark's Square. This shows that even accommodations outside the tourist hotspots are usually very well connected.
San Marco Center:
Venice is divided into six districts. The heart of the city is the San Marco district, home to the famous St. Mark’s Square. This is where the most exclusive hotels are located—and the prices reflect that, as the location is considered the best in all of Venice. Those looking for more affordable accommodations will find cheaper hotels near the train station or near the parking garages at the Piazzale Roma. These are farther from St. Mark's Square, but still offer good access to the city center. The choice of location depends entirely on your personal preferences and your budget.
Information about accommodations on the Lido
The Lido of Venice is a narrow island, about 10 kilometers long, that shields the Venetian Lagoon from the open waters of the Adriatic Sea. The only way to reach this idyllic beach island is by car ferry—a round-trip ticket for two people, including a car, costs about 50 €.
Most hotels on the Lido have their own parking lots. Alternatively, you can park your car right on the street in front of the hotel—it’s easy and convenient.
In contrast to Venice’s densely built-up historic center, the houses and hotels on the Lido are more sparsely distributed. This gives the island an open, bright, and relaxed atmosphere—ideal for anyone seeking peace and space without having to sacrifice proximity to the lagoon city.
The Lido has excellent connections to Venice—specifically via the regular ferry service, known as the Vaporettos, the public water transportation system. A boat departs about every ten minutes, so you never have to wait long. The fare is €9.50 per person, one way. If you travel frequently, you can save significantly with a multi-day pass and explore the lagoon at your own pace.
Information on Accommodations in Mestre
In the picture of the Piazzale Roma in Venice. The greater Venice area also includes the industrial and port city of Mestre, which is located on the mainland at the northern edge of the Venetian Lagoon. Mestre is about 5 km from Venice and is very well connected to Venice via numerous bus routes (public transit) and a train line. (€9.50 per person per trip, or you can purchase a multi-day pass.) Hotels in Mestre are generally a bit cheaper and usually have parking, or you can park on the street in front of the hotel.
The rooms are generally larger and brighter than those in Venice. If you’re traveling with an oversized vehicle, you should choose a hotel in Mestre, because in Venice itself, NO hotel has its own parking lot, and the parking garages at the Piazzale Roma are designed only for standard passenger cars.
A piece of good advice
If you're not quite sure which accommodation to choose, take a look at the guest reviews. These are 100% authentic. Only guests who have actually stayed at the hotel are allowed to submit a review after their vacation. This prevents abuse by third parties.