Anyone stay in Al Saor in Cannaregio in Venice?

I too stayed solo in Cannaregio during my visit to Venice, and I loved it. One of the things that is great about Cannaregio is that it almost forces you to see more of Venice; if you want to see Dorsorduro, for instance, you may wind up walking back through San Palo and Santa Croce on your way back.

Walking in Venice is great. I would take the vaporetto from the train station get off at a random stop, and then wander back to my hotel. I especially recommend exploring Castello, the oldest of the sestieri. You can get lost there for hours. Also, don't miss the Jewish Ghetto of Cannaregio.

I haven't stayed in the hotel you mentioned but I did stay in Cannaregio about three years ago, at Casa Martini (casamartini.it -- I highly recommend it!).

I agree, it was an interesting area to stay. That was my second trip to Venice so I enjoyed being in an area where locals actually lived and shopped.

I love to walk and so the distance to some of the more mainstream sights was not a problem.

Our hosts sent us to wonderful little hole-in-the-wall restaurants that we would have never found on our own. If I had been solo on that trip, however, some of the places were a bit of a dark walk...not sure if that would have bothered me, just a comment.

Being near the ghetto was interesting, and seeing the Al Pacino/Jeremy Irons version of "The Merchant of Venice" the other night reminded me of that fascinating part of Venice's history.

However, I was in Venice again just this past May, and stayed in Dorsoduro -- we didn't have much time in Venice this trip and seeing the Guggenheim was a priority, so wanted to be in the neighborhood. Also, I was on a month trip and on a budget, so needed something a little cheaper than Casa Martini -- which is not that expensive, but I was counting every penny. Dorsuduro was also a great area to wander in, lots of places to eat and great shops. Very quiet at night, at least where we were (Ca' Turelli B&B, also recommended).

By the way, I was with friends on this last trip, but at one point thought I would be in Venice solo, and my first thought was "Casa Martini!" because of the kindness of the wonderful owners. I think it would be a nice place to stay for a solo traveler.

Have a great trip. Where else are you going?

I chose to stay in Cannaregio for a trip to Venice in March. The B&B I stayed in looks to be about 5 minutes walk from yours and I thought the location was great. After busy days at a number of tourist sights it was good to go back to a more residential part of the city in the evening and find a local eatery in one of the little side streets of Cannaregio. One of the main streets from the station to St Mark's Square runs through Cannaregio and that is always busy during the day.

I was able to walk pretty much everywhere from there (eg Rialto, St Mark's Square and through Cannaregio to the vaporetto stop to get out to the islands).

Thanks for your responses!

Yes, Casa Martini was first on my list, but they didn't have a single available... only a double, at 140E which was a bit out of my budget. La Calcina was also booked. I also looked at Pensione Guerrato, which has a single, but w/o bath at 85E cash. Might be an option, but Carneggio beckons... and Al Saor looks lovely, with some positive comments on TripAdvisor. Maybe an undiscovered gem??? I'm hoping so!

Like you faredolce, I love to walk, and also like the idea of returning to a quieter residential area, and eating in local places at night... would even chance a dark alley at someone's recommendation if there was a gem of an eatery at the other end!

annabelle, I'm flying into Florence (staying at Il Bargello at Florenceby.com for 4 nights, and taking www.divinacucina.ca one day cooking class). Still researching other activities.

Museums, strangely enough, aren't top on my list (I did that a few years back). Then Venice for 4 nights, then Varenna for 4 nights where I'm staying at www.eremogaudio.it -- got a lovely superior lakeside room at a single price.

Still researching other activities. Maybe a day trip to Verona, for sure a day trip to Murano... and of course, walking, eating, gazing, just soaking it in!

I loved how Casa Martini was described... the kindness of the owners. That's why I'm putting the question out about Al Saor. I feel pretty comfortable with my choice, but I'd love to get someone's first hand experience.

Anyone? Thanks thanks!!

I stayed at the Al Saor in Venice in early May this year. I found the location to be perfect, only a couple of blocks from the vaporetto stop and no bridges to haul your suitcase over.

My friend and I stayed in the room with the kitchen. Perfect! We got our breakfast delivered to the door and then bought food at the deli around the corner for evening snacks. The room was clean and bright, the only thing I will warn you about is keep your windows closed at night, the mossies got me.

From that location it is very easy to get around Venice.

Have fun!!

Thanks for the feedback re Al Saor, NMac. I'm staying there the last week of September, so glad to hear that's it nice. My travel companion couldn't see the point of getting a room with a kitchen (which apparently has the added benefit of being a bit larger), so I'll be able to comment on a different room.

Althea, I'll make a point of posting here about our experience at Al Saor as soon as I get back.

Mind me asking you stayed in Dorsoduro? How reasonable was it?

Annabelle2 gave the name, and Googling would have found you thi`s:

http://www.veniceby.com/turelli/pages/booking.htm

Sorry, I missed the comma. I thought she was suggesting ca'Turelli in addition to where they stayed.

Tell your travelling companion that I found the room with the kitchen at the Al Saor B&B in Venice to be a great advantage. You only get the basics for breakfast, buns and jam & cereal but to be able to keep food in the fridge was awesome. We were up so early in Venice and walking all day long that we stayed in our rooms most nights for dinner. We would have a big lunch out and by the time we came back to our room we were so exhausted that we didn't want to go out for dinner. It saves you money too, so you have more to spend in Murano.

We could make our own coffee & tea and have wine anytime we wanted

Hope you have a great trip!!

Thanks for everyone's comments. Therese... I'll look forward to your review, but I might already be on my way! I leave for Italy October 1. Can hardly wait. So perhaps we'll pass each other in the hallway.

Cheers!

Yep, I'll have checked out while you're in Florence (where we'll have been earlier in the week, staying at Caravaggio). I'll probably post while you're still in Florence, though, so if you happen to be on line you can look for it.

So, stayed at B&B Al Saor in Cannareggio for four nights. Really great place, and particularly great value, at 90 euro per night (high season) for our twin-bedded room. Small room, very nicely decorated in a an elegant shabby chic sort of way. Very efficient use of the space, such that what at first seems perhaps too small is actually just fine: beds on opposite walls, large window at one end of room. Small armoire with wall-mounted satellite TV overhead that also functions as a clock/alarm clock.

Bathroom nicely fitted, immaculately clean (as was the room). Ask for a hairdryer if one isn't in your room.

We didn't have a kitchen, so were served breakfast on the small deck. Quality of breakfast food typical for Venice---it would have been nice to have our own kitchen so as to have more variety to our breakfasts, but it was also very nice sitting outside.

Staff very accomodating. Very very quiet street, despite being literally a stone's throw from one of the busiest streets in Venice. Cannareggio really quiet and lovely away from the tourist bustle.

Two restaurants close by that we enjoyed were Al Vecio Bragosso and Trattoria da Bepi. A young waiter at the latter recommended (per my request for a neighborhood place similar to da Bepi) a place called Antica Mola, but we didn't get a chance to try it. Alla Vedova, tucked into a corner very close to B&B Al Saor, looked cool as both restaurant and hangout on Saturday PM. The little Irish pub in the small piazza nearby was also pleasant.