Mazzini

For the price and the area, this was a decent stay. It's not a 5-Star Hilton, but there's no need to be scared off if you're coming with a tour group like Explorica / World Strides, as we did. The location is great, with shops, restaurants and the Adriatic Sea beach all within walking distance. Staff were friendly and attentive, and the owner was always around to help make things enjoyable. Our room had comfortable mattresses and fairly modern furniture. It was fairly clean, maybe 90%, and could use a little touch-up. Breakfast and dinner were available at the hotel. There isn't an elevator, which isn't unusual in an older Italian building, but that meant hauling my suitcase up at least one level. I was on the 3rd floor, which was a drag. The rooms felt cramped, and although they had AC, it wasn't very strong. The first night got pretty hot, though using a small portable fan on the nightstand made it fine. The bathrooms could use updating, but having a private one in every room was good. The meals served to our group were pretty basic: salad, fries, meatloaf, chicken and plain pasta with tomato sauce. Breakfast was a bit better, with fresh croissants and fruit, but still not spectacular from my American perspective. I'd eat the included group meal, then go elsewhere to find something better to fill up on. If I were booking my own lodging, this probably wouldn't be my first choice. I saw some nicer looking hotels nearby, but it was my first and only trip to Venice, so I can't say which options are actually better. Knowing what to expect, this was a decent place to stay, and I'm not complaining. Its average rating is 2.8 right now. I'd put it around 3-3.5, but I'm giving it 4.0 to boost the average a bit. For a school or tour group, a positive attitude should make it a good base for exploring this part of the city.