Ca' dei Barcaroli

We were pleased with our choice, especially since the owner met us and happily moved us to a quieter room. He was very friendly and seemed keen to make our stay as good as possible. The room had a bed plus a sofa with a sleeping mattress, both decent quality. It may not look like a four-star hotel, but the price should be considered too. We were travelling with my parents, and there was free parking in the yard if a space was open. There’s also a charging spot beside the hotel. For getting to Venice, an express bus is a four-minute walk away and takes about 15 minutes. I’d choose that over the Venice parking lot, which is very expensive and requires you to leave your key. Breakfast was just okay. In Italy I expected coffee and a croissant, maybe a cigarette, so I wasn’t looking for much.

There’s a tram to Venice about a five-minute walk behind the hotel. The room and bathroom were spacious, and breakfast was affordable and good. It isn’t a luxury resort, but you get more than you pay for.

My room had a broken handle, an uncomfortable bed, cheap materials, and an AC unit that was noisy. Breakfast also felt like they’d cut corners. The bigger issue was the night staff demanding more money for a room we’d already paid for online. We spoke with the manager, who lowered the amount a little, but it was still unacceptable and around three times the room’s listed price online. It felt like a scam. Staff spoke in their own language about guests, and the atmosphere reminded me more of Delhi than Venice. I wish I could rate it below one star.

The staff were excellent, and the rooms were comfortable with a decent WiFi connection. The bathroom was fine too. It’s about 15 minutes from Venice by tram, which costs €1.50 each way. Breakfast is served and costs €6 per person if it isn’t included, but it’s pretty average. There’s no laundry service, iron, or ironing board.