Hotel Moderno - Venice, Italy 

Four night stay
Posted: Sat, Jun 21 2008
This was a last minute booking so had to take what was availble. That said Hotel Moderno was fine. Entrance up an alley which looked a bit off putting - but there are many many hotels similarly sited - up alleys. Have to register in the hotel next door - the Hotel Zecchini. We had a third floor room. Furniture a bit old fashioned but bathroom modern and clean - although the shower isn't great. We visited Venice to see the City and not to spend time in our room other than sleep. Room was clean. Staff friendly and helpful. Breakfast served in the Hotel Zecchini. Small dining room but breakfast was fine - eggs available if required. Hotel well sited. No real complaints. Venice expensive. We found a comparatively inexpensive restaurant just a fe doors away from the hotel - the Brek bar ristorante. Pasta and draft wine at euros 3.30 a carafe. Saw nothing else as inexpensive. If you expect cheap and cheerful you wont be disappointed. If like us you don't spend too much time in your room it is absolutely fine. Enjoy your stay - we did.

warning - this hotel is a health hazard!
Posted: Tue, Apr 15 2008
I was travelling in Italy with my son and booked this hotel for our last holiday evening in venice. The photos displayed on the website made it look like a charming, old style venetian hotel. It promised a warm welcome, which was enticing, as i'd found most contact with tourist service providers in Northern Italy disappointingly cold and disinterested. It was also close to the railway station which made our travel plans easier on the following morning. Arrival at the hotel dispelled all hope of a pleasant stay. The lobby is miniscule and there was no lift. We were told"this is a 2 star hotel, madam, what do you expect"? when we asked if there was a lift or someone who could help with the bags. Four flights later we opened the door to what was in effect a garret, dank and musty, old stained blankets on the very old and hard beds. A further trip to reception to complain assured the viewing of another room. This was on the next floor down - equally dank and smelly, if slightly better decorated. But the room contained a double bed, which was not suitable as i was travelling with my teenage son. There were also some noisy guests armed with several bottles of wine and glasses making their way upstairs who were evidently intending to have a drinking session in their bedroom. I pointed this out to the receptionist who simply shrugged We were then offered a room in 'our 3* sister hotel further along the street'. we went off to view and lo and behold this was the room whose photograph had been on the website for Hotel Moderno. Better room, but the hotel had no reception, and access directly from the street simply by positioning yourself in front of the main door which then opened automatically. It didnt feel safe, nor did there seem to be any staff in evidence. We declined, and went to a much better and pleasant hotel further along the street. Hotel Moderno mis sold it's accommodation by displaying rooms which actually belong to another hotel!! Beware - especially if you are simply seeking a modest, clean and friendly hotel for a brief stay - and if you havent got a bad back - you will have one before you check out! we were told that the payment would still be taken from my credit card, which i objected to on the grounds of misselling. If any reader has advice on how to handle this situation if it arises, i'd be glad to hear.

decent enough
Posted: Tue, Jan 08 2008
booked this through lastminute.com as it was one of the cheapest hotels they had in venice, the location is good although next time i might stay closer to Rialto / San Polo. We stayed in room no. 10 which was the attic before i think, walked up tiny sets of stairs right up into the roof. the rom was tiny but the bathroom was a decent size by 2* standards. was very clean and the staff were friendly enough. the narrow corridor wasnt damp, dark or grotty, it was narrow! but aout 5 metres long and very safe and clean. lots of restaurant nearby including a pizza plac open very late 2 doors down. internet cafe across the road! breakfast was simple but good enough(the scrambled egg was excellent)