Hotel Montecarlo, Venice, Italy

My travel companions and I spent one night at the Hotel Montecarlo in Venice, Italy. The hotel is part of the Best Western chain of hotels but don't expect it to be drab - the interior has a lot of character.

To find the hotel you'll most likely head through St. Mark's square into the maze of streets bustling with activity behind there. Shops and restaurants seem to have exploded around the square and tourists will never be far from somewhere to grab a snack or take a rare break for a sit-down meal. Those wishing to shop till they drop won't be disappointed either - everything and anything you could possibly wish to buy is within your grasp. I recommend walking through the area first then going back to make your purchases. Since so many stores carry similar items a little judicious reconnaissance can save you some money.

I split a standard double room with my roommate. The room was spacious, with plenty of room for all of our luggage. If you're staying more than one night you may appreciate the armoire for unpacking and settling in. While room itself was spacious, the bathroom was a bit on the small side though perfectly functional and very clean. As is often the case in Italian hotels, the double beds are pushed together to form one larger bed, though the sheets are seperate. If you're traveling with a platonic companion, be prepared to get a little cozy.

Rooms seem to come standard with a tv and a mini bar (before indulging be sure to read the price list) plus air conditioning which is a nice perk in the summer months. Another large perk is the elevator - meaning you don't have to drag your suitcases up and down stairs to get to your room. You'll appreciate this when you arrive at your hotel jet-lagged and haggard from hours of travel. In the mornings you can enjoy the included breakfast buffet. It's nothing to write home about but has a good selection and will set you off on the right foot for a day of sightseeing.

Those who go into withdrawl without easy access to the internet will appreciate the opportunity to use the hotel's computer. Their fee per half hour of use is comparable to the other internet spots you'll find around the city. What makes them stand out is that you get a scratch-off card with a code which allows you to access the internet. If you don't use all your time in one sitting, you just enter your code the next time you log-on and can continue where you left off.

The reception staff are extremely friendly and their english is quite good. They were able to give us recommendations for hiring a water taxi, and seem to be a good resource for their customers. After we checked out they held onto our bags for the afternoon at no charge. The rooms have actual keys (no technological but boring key cards here) and the staff requests that you leave your key at the front desk when you leave the building. This is actually very convenient if you are traveling with more than one person, as you don't have to worry about who has the key and whether you'll end up locked out of your room if you return to the hotel before them.

Our room cost about $200 (USD) for the night. Considering the location and the average cost of hotel rooms in Venice it wasn't a bad deal. Personally I'd rather skimp a bit on the hotel considering I'm only there to sleep but if you're looking for a friendly, clean, and well-situated hotel and the price isn't so much of a consideration I would definitely recommend Hotel Montecarlo.

Price: ***
Cleanliness: ****
Ambiance: ****

Visit the hotel's official web site for more information and to book a reservation.