Good Alternative to Staying On Venice
If you're travelling by train, make sure you know how to find the hotel when you make your booking, especially if you're arriving at night. You need to get off at mestre station, one stop *before* venice, an easily made error that caused one young couple
... we spoke with quite a bit of trauma. Additionally, there is no tourist information office nor anyone at mestre station who is willing to assist tourists with directions. Ensure you have a good map with clear directions because the hotel is somewhat tricky to find, starting with having to find the station's underpass under the train tracks. It's not far (only a few minutes walk), but tricky. We did not use a taxi but the shortness of the trip might make the 'scenic' route tempting for a cabbie.
the hotel is a villa that's been converted into accommodation. The decor is venetian and attractive. The hotel reception was welcoming but only a couple of the staff spoke communicable english. Our 'superior' room (in name only) on the ground floor was clean, roomy, had all the usual amenities and the large double bed was of the hard-but-not-uncomfortable variety that seems to be the italian standard.
the only noticeable drawback for us was the included breakfast which was spartan, even by continental standards. (someone mentioned - too late for us - that all you have to do is ask for more. )
the venice islands are ten minutes away by the frequent public buses. The hotel staff issue a map on request with details of the correct bus numbers to take and the closest stops are only a couple of minutes walk. Tickets can not be bought on the bus, so you must buy a swipe pass which can be purchased at the newsagent on the way to the bus stop (check with reception for its location - oddly not on its map). Bus ticket prices to venice are very cheap but you can also purchase passes which include the public water buses (vaporetto) on the canals. The pass periods are not designed for short term tourists so be careful. Purchase one that suits your circumstance or it could prove expensive. [personal observation: considering the millions of tourists each year (or perhaps because of them) venice is surprisingly tourist unfriendly. ]
we stayed at villa serena because we had failed to book accommodation on venice in advance in high season. The room price turned out to be considerably cheaper, however, so we would happily stay there again.
btw, we didn't discover until our third and final night that the corner was a favoured hangout for streetwalkers, and then only because we were told by another couple. We're not particularly naive, it's just that we normally got back around 9:00pm (while it was still daylight) and nocturnal activities weren't noticeable.
