I will be visiting Italy in November with my husband and need help with choosing budget hotels. I still haven't finalized our trip but the starting point would be Rome and northward. One place was recommended to me in Venice and that is Hotel Guerrato. Does anyone have information on this. Please help.

Good evening, Catherine <BR>Have no direct information on the Guerrato, however surf into www.veniceinfo.it should have what <BR>you desire. Also www.italyhotels.it/ <BR>is a very good source for IT hotel informations. Richard of La Grange Park, IL

Do you think it is Casa Gerotto? <BR>CASA GEROTTO CALDERAN: Campo San Geremia 283. <BR>Tel: 041-715562. Tel/Fax: 041-715361. (34 rms., 12 w/toilet & bath or shower.) 50,000-70,000L (26-36E) single (no toilets); 80,000-110,000L (41-56E) double; 100,000-140,000L (51-72E) triple; 140,000-160,000L (72-82E) quad. Breakfast (8:30-10:30am) at 7,500L pp is not obligatory & can be served in the room. Cash only. English spoken, charming simple hotel w/wonderful simply furnished airy bright large rooms, #310 & 210 are the best rms. w/balconies & bathrooms, #211 has a balcony but no bathroom, #312 has a balcony, #212 w/a huge balcony is a perfect room for 4/5 people, double-paned windows, central heating, no elevator, 4 flrs. They will accept a reservation via fax. Owned/managed by Olindo Milani & her wonderful family. Vaporetto: Ferrovia. Located in charming square. For walking directions, see Hotel Al Gobbo. <BR>http://www.HelloEurope.com <BR>

There is a book called "The Guide to Loging in Italys Monasteries" <BR> <BR>There are lots of monasteries that rent rooms at very low rates. <BR> <BR>No frills, but clean and safe.

Hi Catherine - <BR> <BR>I'm so jealous! We were in Venice last November and actually stayed at Hotel Guerrato. We had come across it from Rick Steves guidebook as he said his tour groups book it solid 50 nights a year so we figured it must be ok. The staff was really helpful and friendly and our room was clean and spacious by our experience of pensiones and budget european hotels. It had a pretty Venetian glass chandelier and oversized clunky furniture. <BR> <BR>Venice took a little getting used to because the alleys are so tiny and confusing and everything seems a bit closed in. If we took a running start we could have probably lept out our window to the next building! We had a room towards the back of the building and it was pretty quiet. An article I read had a review of the hotel and said be sure to ask for a room away from the Rialto side since the mornings are noisy from the shopping stalls opening along the Rialto Bridge. <BR> <BR>The location was pretty convenient - of course in Venice everything to see is easily manageable. It's literally steps from the Rialto Bridge which at first seems a bit tacky and dingy but is soon overlooked since VENICE is so dingy and that's the fun of it! We could walk to St. Mark's in less than 10 minutes and never took the same way since we could never find the same way! <BR> <BR>The interior of the hotel is a bit dark and the remotest bit musty. It has a big thick wooden staircase going up to the rooms and a pleasant breakfast room. They served a delicious pastry for breakfast along with cereals etc. The Rialto was swamped during the day with shoppers and peddlers so we didn't spend a ton of time here, however, after Rome and Florence, walking in Venice was just like going around the block. It was so pleasant to wander and we never felt tired or too far away to go back to the hotel for a break, etc. <BR> <BR>If we walked left out of the hotel away from the canal and then right at the street, we wandered into some fun local restaurants and shops vs. the area around St. Mark's which is for the most part - tourist. We also took a recommended "pub crawl" from Rick Steves' book and the first bar was terrific. Very local, very tiny and very lively! I don't know the name but you could leaf through his Travels in Europe - Italy. <BR> <BR>We didn't look around too much at other hotels to compare so I don't know if something lighter and brighter exists but I have no hesitation recommending Guerrato. Sorry to be so lengthy but it was fun to see a familiar name. Hope you have a great trip wherever you stay!

Just wanted to thank you all for the information you gave me.