City Apartments - Boteri

The terrace was amazing, and I loved being able to use the kitchen and have breakfast in the sunshine. This place feels cozy and friendly, and the owner is so nice and makes a personal connection that had me feeling at home right away. As an artist, I found it inspiring and authentic, full of art, books, antique objects, and a real venetian vibe. The location is excellent too, just a minute's walk from the best market in town, with lots of cute restaurants nearby. It feels like the real Venice opening its doors.

For the budget, it was satisfactory. I do think the shared bathrooms should be cleaned more often. The place could use a makeover, and some of the dusty, antique shop style furniture could go. Still, I can see why some people might like that look.

This felt more like staying with family than in one of those impersonal hostels where they treat you like a number. I was there for 10 days, and the owner, a very warm and kind Italian man, and the staff were lovely. Whatever I asked for, I got. It’s a place for romantic, poetic, artistic people, or anyone who loves authenticity. For me, it’s the best hostel in Venice. The building is an old, historic three floor place in central Venice, about 3 minutes from Rialto. It has big, spacious rooms, and mine had a toilet inside. Every room has a toilet close by, and there’s a well equipped kitchen on each floor. Everything was clean. The paintings, art books, books about Venice and other countries, and carnival decorations, objects, and costumes all feel part of the hostel’s history.

It’s cheap and the location is decent, which is how it earned two stars from me. Still, even with budget expectations, Ai Boteri disappointed. The place felt dark and a little sketchy, especially at night. Rooms were basic and poorly maintained, there was no AC, and the different room levels made getting around awkward. The rusty shared bathroom wasn’t very clean, and the outdated common areas felt uninviting. It just didn’t have a welcoming hostel atmosphere. I’d spend a bit more for somewhere more comfortable and better managed.