Venetian Gem (Hotel Boccassini (Venice, Italy))

Member Name: Essexgirl2006

Product:	Hotel Boccassini (Venice, Italy)
Date:	05/04/09 (167 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Clean, well run, little B&B

Disadvantages: Limited facilities compared to bigger hotels

I had heard Venice was an expensive city, so expected to struggle to find a place to stay for a reasonable price when we went last August. I checked my favourite Italian hotel website Venere.com as they usually book small, independent hotels, where I initially found this, although I actually booked this through the hotel's own website. Rooms are available with and without air-con, but I wouldn't recommend going without in the height of summer as it can be quite humid. Savings can be made by booking a room with a shared bathroom, I understand that only two rooms use each shared bathroom which is accessed by the communal areas. This is quite common in the independant hotels in Venice which is so short on space. I checked one of these communal bathrooms out and found it clean and airy. There are also Superior rooms with a garden view, but I don't believe there is any other advantages. Overall we paid Euro250 for three nights in peak season for a room with air-con and private bathroom on a bed & breakfast tariff. The hotel is a one star due to limited facilities, (possibly the lack of rooms with private bathroom) but we weren't worried about having a bar or gym or anything like that.

The hotel was easy to find - there is a map and directions on the website - its just a short Vaporetto (waterbus) journey to Fondamenta Nove and then a two minute walk, and it was signposted. It took us about 15 minutes to walk to Rialto Bridge or St Marks Square, at a gentle meandering pace from the hotel. When you arrive at the hotel you are let into the pretty terrace garden covered by a trellis from the heat. Access was always through buzzing people in, people couldn't walk in off the street and they were always greeted by someone from the hotel. The hotel also sold small bottles of mineral water for 1 Euro. This was cheaper than the shops and cafes in the city. We had been advised that supermarkets sold it cheapest, but there was not one nearby. There are a number of local restaurants in the surrounding streets that cater for locals and tourists, so you do not need to walk far to find something to eat if you are feeling lazy.

Our room was towards the back through the terrace garden, there is a bureau style dresser as you go in and then down a few steps to the good sized bed with bedside tables, wardrobe and dressing tables with an adjacent long bathroom. The room, although small, was comfortable and we both slept well. Hot water was readily available and the air-conditioning worked well. The hotel supplies soap but not lots of shampoos and shower gels. As Venice is such a cramped city , our window looked onto another building (no one could see in), but this didn't bother us, as it kept the room shaded and cool. I suspect this would be common in any small hotel.

If the weather allows breakfast is served on the terrace, but sadly we had rain in the early mornings so we ate in the pleasant little breakfast room, just off of reception. It is a small room, but all decorated in white so is light and airy and cheerful in the mornings. There is a waitress service offering coffee, cappuccino, and fruit juices to drink. On each table is a basket of mixed breads and rolls, including those funny biscotti things. This is alongside soft cheese, jams and nutella. It is a modest breakfast but suited us and neither of us are big breakfast people.

I found the staff all helpful and polite, with varying success in English. If I was to return to visit Venice I would definitely try and stay here again, the city is not large so location is not a problem, it was clean and friendly and pleasantly decorated and made a welcome sanctuary from the heat and bustle of Venice in high season. If you are after big cooked breakfasts and lots of amenities there are plenty of other hotels that can cater for you. Considering the fact that Venice is supposed to be one of the most expensive cities in the world for tourists, we were really pleased with the value for money we got from this little gem.

Hotel Casa Boccassini
Cannaregio 5295
30121 Venice, Italy
Ph. +39.041.5229892
Fax +39.041.5236877
http://www.hotelboccassini.com/en/location.htm
There is a map and directions on the website.

Summary: Charming B&B that met our needs in Venice.