Backpackers House Venice - Hostel

I stayed five nights in total across two weeks, twice in dorms and once in a double room. I didn’t find bed bugs, though I can’t say whether I was lucky or whether they’d been dealt with. The dorm and double rooms were clean and nice, and the cleaning lady was a really lovely person. There are only two bathrooms, one on each floor, so it can get difficult around the 10 o’clock checkout. Best to go early. It’s a nice area with a market, bars, and restaurants, and a good starting point for exploring Venice. From the bus station, it’s a straightforward walk of about 8 to 10 minutes, crossing six bridges and passing Malcanton Marcorà University. There’s no sign outside, so if you get to the plaza, you’ve gone too far. After the last bridge before the plaza, look for an Indian takeaway on the left. The door across from it has 2967 above it. There’s a small note with numbers to call and a bell to ring. Check-in is advertised from 2 to 9 pm, but there might not be anyone there to let you in, so it’s a good idea to call and tell the manager when you’ll arrive. The manager is cool. Have your passport and the small city fee ready. I wouldn’t call this a hostel, since there’s no common area to hang out in. It’s just a bed for the night. On my second-last morning, plainclothes police woke me around 8:30 am. They asked for identification and had me fill out a form. They showed me ID that I couldn’t read and said they were part of a terrorist watch. The form had odd questions that didn’t seem related to terrorism, and I had to sign it. I don’t know if that’s normal. I told the manager, who called me back and acted as if he knew nothing about it. I was happy with my stay overall. It’s a good place to stay, and I’d definitely recommend it.

The reception staff were very kind and helpful, and the location made it easy to walk around, with lots of restaurants nearby. Finding the entrance may take a little care, so check the doors for the sign. The rooms smelled nice and were very clean, and the shared bathroom was large and clean too.

I was glad to leave. I’ve never stayed in a hostel before where I just wanted to get out. I paid 55 euros, and the bathroom was shared by at least eight people when all the rooms were occupied. The shower head was broken, and that wasn’t the only problem. The toilet upstairs leaked from the back and soaked the floor, which I temporarily fixed. Water also escaped from the shower, so there was a towel around the outside. The water from both leaks was still there 24 hours later and had started coming through the ceiling to the first floor. The Wi-Fi didn’t reach my room, which matters when, like most people staying here, you don’t have Italian phone service. I went to the office three times to find someone and nobody was there. These issues could be fixed with some work and a bit of pride from the staff. The bathroom smelled like a litter box. Everything else was on par, though.

After the second night of a four-night booking, I woke with more than 30 bed bug bites and found an adult bed bug on the mattress when I pulled back the sheets. I took a photo and asked the man there to cancel my last two nights. He was angry, but eventually paid me half the cost in cash from his pocket and assured me I wouldn’t be charged for the remaining nights. Once I left, I was charged the full amount anyway, and he refuses to do anything about it. I’ve spent over 60 EURO on laundry and ointment for the itching. I wouldn’t stay here even if someone paid me. It’s not worth the pain and trouble.