I will be going to Venice and Florence in late September for a week. Does anyone know of any 2-star hotel, clean, for under 80Euro for 1 person? hopefully it is not too far away from St. Mark Square. Thanks

I was traveling solo in Italy last year in September. I stay in 2-star places. I think you are going to have a tough time for that price in Venice for that time of the year. I stayed at Casa Fontana (www.hotelfontana.it/) for $115.00 Euro. It was nice and very well located. If you need a place in Florence, I stayed at the B&B Dei Mori (www.bnb.it/deimori/) for $70.00 night. Both were clean with private bath.

Yes with a bit of luck, it is possible to find places in that budget range. I'd suggest looking on the EuroCheapo website at the Editor's picks -- www.eurocheapo.com

Venice is compact and so, even if your are not in San Marco district (which IMO, preferable to stay elsewhere) it's not too far from the main sites. I'd suggest looking in the Rialto Bridge area or Cannaregio (up by train station). The Hotel Galleria, an oft mentioned budget hotel is in Dorsoduro, by the Accademia Bridge; BUT, the single room here is teeny tiny small. I can't imagine they charge more than 75 or so euros for it now; when I was there in 2000, I paid equivalent of $50 USD. But I'd not recommend that room.

Another suggestion I've seen mentioned is staying at the covent. In Venice, it's well located; name is Instituto Guiseppe (???).

www.venere.it/

Allows you to search for availability by dates and will give you a rate for your total stay, which can be sorted by price. Lists literally hundreds of hotels in both cities (and vitually all others throughout Italy.) Has customer ratings. Will show you the difference in cost between a single room and double for single use if both are available. (Though on your budget, you are likely to be solely in the single room price range.)

There are definitely some possibilities there; be sure to click on the tabs for B&Bs, guesthouses, etc. on your results to see those in addition to the hotels that will come up first.

Yes, it is possible in both cities. Depends on a lot of variables, including whether or not there's some special event taking place. Don't be too concerned about being near Piazza San Marco--Venice isn't all that large. Here's another web site with Venice hotels listed by stars.

http://turismo.regione.veneto.it/en/...rghi/index.htm

But the less expensive rooms go first, so don't wait.

www.lacalcina.com

Pensione La Calcina on the Guidecca canal is a 3-star. Singles with shared bath for 75 Euro in Sept. Nice breakfast included. Not too far from San Marcos. Lovely hotel.

If someone didn't mind staying on Murano, here's a place with A/C and private bath for 52 euro, single--88 double:

http://www.venicehotel.it/venice_hotel.htm

In FLorence, Hotel Casci (www.hotelcasci.com). It's great value and a very pleasant place to stay.

Hi
You might want to consider the B&B Peterson in Florence. Near the train station. The Ancilottis are very nice. Rates for a single are 36-41 E.

http://www.bedinflorence.it/

I stayed in the small room at Hotel Galleria and found it to be charming. Although, being only 5'2" I fit quite well into it. It was as wide as my arms stretched out (believe it!) The location of the hotel is good though. I also stayed at La Calcina, and the room was larger and a little bit more charming.Also more expensive. Great breakfast. I believe I paid around 90 Euros or so there, and Hotel Galleria was cheaper. I would recommend either one.

Johnmango:

You might try Albergo Doni in Venice. (www.albergodoni.it). I don't know if they have availability, but, according to their website, their single is €55/night. They have been recommended on this board, in Rick Steves' book, and by a personal friend of mine--which is why I made reservations there for my trip in Sept.

In Florence, you can look at Hotel Dali (www.hoteldali.com). Their single, according to their website is €40/night. They are also recommended by the same personal friend of mine as well as www.eurocheapo.com.

I should reiterate that I have not stayed at either place yet, but they do come recommended as simple, clean and well-located by someone I know well and trust. Also, I've already made reservations at both places and the proprietors were very kind and helpful.

Good luck,
Jennie

Danacat,
Yes I'll confirm your dimensions of the single room in Hotel Galleria; I, too am 5'2" and measured the width of the room by stretching my arms from one side of the wall to the other. I'll grant you it is a good view of the Grand Canal from the window; but it wouldn't be a "do again" for me --- at least in that single room.