Just planning my January/February 2010 Europe trip - discovering that accommodation in Venice is extremely expensive when compared to most of the other places we're staying (UK/France). Is there a certain Hostel that people recommend for its price and its reputation? My mate and I are mostly looking to book private twin rooms, prefferably with private ensuite but we don't really care at the end of the day if we have to share bathroom. We're more particular about having a private room for the obvious privacy and protecting our belongings. What do people recommend?

I priced out some hotel rooms when I was in venice. The average was about 60-80 euros a night for a cheap place on the island. Off the island, prices are a lot more reasonable. Next time I go there, I'd definitely put up the money for a 3 night stay on the Island, having already stayed in a hostel off the island. Book as soon as possible if you want an Island hostel. Cheap hostel on-Island? Probably not going to happen.

I don't know of any en-suite hotels on or off the island in particular.

If you want a regular off-island hostel, I like Camping Alba. They have a pool(Not much use in november) a store, and an in-suite bathroom(shared by four people)

Hotel Caneva. Location cannot be beaten (5 min walk to St. Mark's), and its relatively inexpensive. Was about 70E a night for a private room double bed. Shared toilet/shower but there was a sink in the room. Most rooms look out over a canal; my girlfriend (now wife) and I spent a couple evenings with a bottle of wine and chatted with the people going by on gondolas.

I looked pretty intensely for a cheap place to stay in Venice, and this was about as cheap as I found that was still somewhat central. If you can't afford the 70E (and we definitely had to cut back on other things, long story but I basically lived off of snickers bars and beef jerky for a few days after my gf went home) then you'll probably need to look on the mainland.

For the price/location, it's a place I really recommend.

Hi, iZach:

Yes, Venice is expensive. And it also doesn't have many traditional hostels - especially during the winter. A few of the city's hostels close up shop when it's not summer, making finding a cheap bed even more difficult.

I visited and reviewed the biggest and most traditional hostel in Venice - Ostello Venezia - which is on the Giudecca island just across from St. Mark's Square (some of the rooms have windows from which you can see the basilica). The only private rooms are for handicapped travelers, but since you're going in the low season you might be able to book those rooms anyway.

Otherwise, I think the next best option is a 1- or 2-star hotel in Venice. Some of them are a pretty good bargain (at least for Venice), especially if you're sharing a room. I've written about budget hotels near the train station in Venice, and a couple of the hotels near St. Mark's Square are reasonably priced, too.

And, since I just published this article, it's on my mind and you might find it handy: things you should know about Venice.

Have a great trip - Venice is still one of my favorite cities on earth.

Ciao,
Jessica

I paid €30-35 for a single with shared bathroom, in Mestre on the mainland. That was Feb/March this year. I stayed there not only for the money - just don't fancy being in the middle of tourist crowds day and night.
There is not reason to pay double on the laguna, when it takes only 15 mins/€1 by bus from Mestre to Piazzale Roma in Venice proper.

I'd say the same goes for the restaurants.

I've used this website before istopover.com because it has great inexpensive places to stay in a lot of cities around the world. Here is one Venice that is $70 a night http://www.istopover.com/home/listings/1657

Really cool way to meet people and live like the locals.
Hope that helps!

I would second the Camping Alba (I think the full name is "Plus Camping Alba D'Oro"... ). It's not right IN the city, but they have a regular shuttle, and the accomodation is a good deal. Nice campground too. I ended up in a little 2-twin bed cabin, and they were nice enough to bed other people in other cabins, so I had it to myself! A short walk (outside) to the bathroom. There was also the pool (though barely open when I was there in October), and a decent restaurant and mini grocery store.

I stayed at Hotel Dalla Mora (http://www.hoteldallamora.it/lang1/home.html) for 80E/night this past summer, but split the room with my friend to reduce the cost.
It is actually IN Venice as well, not on the mainland. They have a list of rates depending on your preferences, and they're only about 10-15 min away from the train station.

Venice is great.

I actually think there IS a reason to pay more to stay on the islands themselves in Venice, even if it's just for one night. If you're on a really strict budget, you can then move to a mainland (Mestre) hostel to save money. But there's nothing like being in Venice really early in the morning and/or really late at night when the day-trippers are no longer crowding the streets. It's magical...

Tortuga_traveller wrote:[...]I like Camping Alba[...]

jessus wrote:I would second the Camping Alba (I think the full name is "Plus Camping Alba D'Oro"[...]

This camping, as well as another one that hasn't been named yet, Camping Fusina, are poorly connected to both Venice mainland and island. Plus, after a certain hour during the night you absolutely have no connection at all. Plus, I've been told by people that stayed in both of these that the comfort wasn't at a decent level considering the paid price.
The solution that I bring is Camping Jolly (http://www.ecvacanze.it/en/elite_family ... ping-jolly) located on Venice mainland in the neighbourhood Marghera, at about 20 minutes on foot from the Venezia Mestre railway station. Here with only 19 euros per person you can stay in a little house with two/three beds and private bathroom. Venice mainland and island are well connected 24/7, by train from 5 in the morning to 0050 in the night and by bus all 24 hours.

JessieS wrote:[...]Venice is expensive[...]

Compared to what? To people coming from western or northern european countries Venezia is considered even a cheap site.

moniak wrote:[...]There is not reason to pay double on the laguna, when it takes only 15 mins/€1 by bus from Mestre to Piazzale Roma in Venice proper. I'd say the same goes for the restaurants.

Well said;)

JessieS wrote:[...]there's nothing like being in Venice really early in the morning and/or really late at night when the day-trippers are no longer crowding the streets. It's magical...

This is absolutely true: from about 0130 in the night to 0615 in the morning you get a completely different view of the island. Same applies for sunny/rainy/foggy/clear days and nights. Now in November, even two sunny days gives you a different view of the island, it's magical - I grown up here and I still don't have enough of it:)