Hotel Ca' d'Oro (Venice, Italy)
Review

Great Location in Quiet Area
with a Flavor of Venice

By Marianne Schwab | Best Travel Deals Tips Blog

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As European hotels go, Hotel Ca' D'Oro is a typical three-star European hotel but less charming than the photos on their website indicate. However, it is a good value for the type of hotel that it is though I am far less enthusiastic about it than other reviewers. What I loved about this hotel was it's location in Venice on a canal (one of those things you dream about when you go to Venice) and that it was conveniently located within five minutes walking distance to the Rialto Bridge (without being in the commotion of the Grand Canal).

I got up early every morning to walk the neighborhood and experience local life and liked that this hotel was off the beaten path but conveniently located and generally easy to access (if you’re not schlepping luggage). Don't miss a visit to the rooftop of this hotel for fabulous views and photos (below).

Hotel Ca D'Oro has a tiny lobby and small elevator that was very inconvenient for checking in and out as you had to go up to your room one at a time with your luggage (I had a large but not over-sized suitcase and a carry-on and my friend had the same). We had a room that had a view of the canal (if you stuck your head out the window about a foot) and it was located on the alley by the canal. Beware that the locals start unloading boats very early from the canal adjacent to the alley (photo below) which woke me up every morning around 6:30am (one of the hazards of being near the canal or a busy area).

The room was very small but clean (but not very shareable), the bathroom was clean, and the beds were not horrible but not as comfortable as I consistently experience in American hotels. The staff was cordial, but not overly friendly or overly helpful. To be more accurate, it didn't seem to occur to the hotel staff that they were in the hospitality industry.

There were no porters and no staff available for hire to assist you with your luggage in any way, which was stressful as we had to schlep our luggage to the water bus terminal about five to six blocks from the hotel (but that included maneuvering over two bridges with staircases). I would have been very happy to pay someone to help us as my friend had disability issues, however the hotel staff could not accommodate any requests of this nature so my advice is to pack light if you're pinching pennies (since water taxis to the airport are close to US$125-150) and it's no fun schlepping suitcases (even on wheels) over two bridges to the water bus station.

The breakfast was adequate and very European but I confess, as an American, I was craving eggs and had no success finding an American breakfast offered anywhere in the city.

[Tip: Don't book a gondola on the Grand Canal, but book it with a gondolier on one of the small side canals. You'll save about US$30 and get the same ride.]

Worth a mention: I got several bug bites while in Venice in late October. There were a couple of large mosquitoes in our room that could have been due to the canals. Bring bug spray. All in all, I'd recommend this hotel, but it's fair to know what you're getting. Use the money you save on this hotel for that priceless (but expensive) must do gondola ride.

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