I have seen a few questions about off-season hotel rates in Venice, and whether they really exist or not.

I have booked a double room for 4 nights (Dec. 18-22) at La Forcola (www.laforcolahotel.com) at 68 Euros per night including all taxes and breakfast. This is an offseason rate that the hotel is offering directly -- I couldn't find it on any hotel search engines.

I've never stayed there, but all reviews here and on tripadvisor seem very positive.

I think that WillTravel stayed there?

She might have booked through ryanair hotels (or something like that). Did you Google that or did you try that website?

Low-Off season rates exist. With Venice hotels, the lowest season is often from around 2nd week of November to around first week of March with slight differences depending on each hotel. During this periode, Christmas, New Year and Carnavale are exceptions. Also I've noticed many hotels apply shoulder sesason rates in mid-summer.

Out of my 8 trips to Venice, 7 of them were done in the lowest rate seasons.

For example, last February after Carnavale, I stayed at Hotel Mercurio, 2 star hotel near Fenice Theater taking their winter offer of E50 per night. For a single room it was not tiny at all and with a bathroom. I also liked the central location. Take a look at their special offer here below. I usually book direct with the hotels.

http://www.venise-hotel.hotelmercuri...&oftext=en

look at www.lacalcina.com

i give this as an example because they very clearly spell out room rates which vary by time of year and type of room

111op is right. I booked a cheap rate through the Ryanairhotels.com site for La Forcola for last December, but if you got a good rate directly that's excellent, because then you aren't paying in advance. I certainly think 68 Euros for a double room and breakfast at that hotel is a very good deal.