We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Ca' Formenta. The receptionist upgraded our room to one with a view for no charge, and the rooms were good sized for the price and very clean. Location was nice, about a 10 - 15 minute walk from St. Mark's square. Breakfast was good. Really couldn't say a bad thing about Hotel Ca' Formenta. Will definitely stay there again if I go back to Venice.

The Ca’Formenta is a small, well equipped Hotel situated conveniently for exploring Venice on foot and by water. We bought 72 hour water bus tickets and reached the Hotel by the Alilaguna boat from Marco Polo Airport which stops only two bridges from the Hotel. The journey was easy and the 1 hour 5 minute trip was a lovely way to start an idyllic holiday. We booked a double standard room which had every facility we could have wanted as well as views of the canal at the back of the Hotel and the Lagoon. To reach our room we had to cross a small courtyard and the landing stage – quirky! Breakfast was excellent with plenty of choice and the first night we took the advice of the reception staff and ate at a great restaurant along the Via Garibaldi. We used the water buses all the time to visit the islands of the Torcello, Burano and Murano as well as to go up and down the Grand Canal and save our legs. With a 5/10 minute walk to St Mark’s Square and helpful and friendly staff at the Ca’Formenta, we would recommend the Hotel and hope to return there for another holiday.

We stayed at Ca' Formenta on St. Mark's (and WW II Liberation) Day and the following day. Following the Venetian St. Mark's Day tradition, the front desk presented the ladies in my group a red rose when we checked in, which was a nice touch. The staff was friendly, helpful, and fun to talk with too. Everyone speaks English. They readily booked our dinner and water taxi reservations (the hotel has its own dock off a canal to the side of the hotel).

The hotel has a nice breakfast spread and the two outside tables are a great place to start the day overlooking the lagoon and San Giorgio Maggiore, and a pictoresque place to take in an afternoon beverage while the sun sets. There's also a roof top terrace where you can take in the sun though the view there is not noteworthy.

We had two double rooms, one on the front overlooking the water, and one in the back which didn't have much of a view. The rooms weren't large but they were big enough and comfortable. The neighborhood is just that -- a neighborhood where Venetians actually live. At the cafe next door to the hotel families spent the whole day during the April 25th holiday, with kids playing and animated chatter.

The vaporetto at Arsenale or Giardini are near by and the walk to the latter is a real pleasure, either along the water of up the Via Garibaldi ahd through a nice park. We were travelling with my mother who has limited mobility and uses a wheel chair so access to the vaporetto without steps was a real plus for us. The hotel also has a small elevator that can accommodate a wheel chair.

I would heartily recommend the Ca' Formenta. it is reasonably priced by Venice standards. It's not deluxe, but it is very nice and the staff are great. You can get into the major tourist destinations easily but the area around the hotel is relatively quiet and the tourist hords are nowhere to be seen.

My wife and I stayed here 22/04/08 - 25/04/08

TOP TIP
We had the buffet breakfast which was standard continental fare and quite tasty

However fill up because once you leave the hotel its costs an arm and a leg to eat or drink anything.

I went knowing it would be dear but was not expecting it to be so dear

The Hotel

It was very easy to find and very close to a water bus stop which was handy when arriving and departing from Venice

The hotel is a 10 min walk to St Marks Square and faces the lagoon.

I think the Hotel is one of the less expensive hotels in Venice but probably outside of venice would not be viewed as value for money

I cant fault the hotel though, it was clean and had helpful staff. i would recommend it to anyone.

The room was big enough (although we did have a superior room) The bathroom was tiny but had a nice enough shower

The area the hotel was loated was relatively quiet, seeing how busy Venice was I was really glad we did not stay closer


I have come away from venice very glad that I've been as its a beautiful place. However I feel that it comes with a price, thats the price of being or at least feeling that you've been ripped off (not by the hotel though)

Of the three days we had in Venice;

Wednesday was busy but not too bad

Thursday was quiet and great no queues

Friday was horrible masses and masses of people, I hate to think what it would be like in peak season


You will love Venice but go knowing you will feel liked you have been fleeced for food and drinks.

If you went not knowing that it would spoil your time