This Hotel Venezia Mestre review covers what it is like to stay on the mainland while visiting Venice. I found the rooms simple but comfortable, the staff helpful and the tram connection easy. With Venice around 15 to 20 minutes away, it is a strong-value base for budget travellers.
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Hotel Venezia Mestre at a glance
Why we booked Hotel Venezia Mestre
We chose Hotel Venezia because accommodation in central Venice was considerably more expensive for our dates. Our standard double room cost £83.59 through Hotels.com, including breakfast, and earned £4.23 in rewards. It gave us a private, comfortable base while keeping Venice within an easy tram or bus journey.
We were travelling through Italy on a tight budget after spending a month in Valencia, and Venice accommodation was particularly expensive for our August dates. Staying in Mestre allowed us to keep the trip affordable without compromising on the things that matter most to me: cleanliness, safety and a comfortable night’s sleep.
Read Next: Venice on a Budget Guide: Where to Stay, What to Eat & Where to Soak Up the Magic
Our stay at Hotel Venezia Mestre
We booked a standard double room at Hotel Venezia Mestre in August 2025 through Hotels.com, paying £83.59 for bed and breakfast. The booking also earned £4.23 in Hotels.com rewards. This review is based on the room, breakfast, location and transport connections we experienced during our own stay.
Hotel Venezia works best when the price difference is substantial. Check the rate for your dates and compare it with at least two central Venice hotels before booking.
Why Mestre Is the Smarter (and Cheaper) Base for Your Venice Trip
Staying in central Venice would undoubtedly have been more atmospheric, but the prices available for our dates were considerably higher. Mestre gave us the balance we needed: a more affordable hotel, breakfast included and a straightforward journey into the historic centre.
The nearest bus and tram stops are only a few minutes from Hotel Venezia, and our journey into Venice took around 15 to 20 minutes. It required slightly more planning, particularly when returning in the evening, but the saving made that worthwhile for us.
And, it’s technically still Venice – just without the lagoon tax. A tram or bus will get you to Piazzale Roma in about 15 – 20 minutes, running day and night. Tickets cost about €3–4 return, and you can hop on with a standard ACTV pass.
It’s the ideal setup: Venice by day, a calm, affordable base by night.
Stay at Hotel Venezia – Mestre’s Budget Friendly Base for Exploring Venice
Hotel Venezia is a traditional three-star hotel rather than a sleek, modern city stay. Our room was simple and compact, but it gave us everything we needed for a budget trip to Venice. The biggest selling point was not luxury. It was the combination of price, breakfast and straightforward transport into the historic centre.
What was our room like at Hotel Venezia Mestre?
Our standard double room was compact, but it was still perfectly comfortable for two people. The bed was genuinely comfortable, the air conditioning worked brilliantly and both the bedroom and bathroom were spotlessly clean.
The décor felt a little dated, but that did not bother me considering the price. My non-negotiables in any hotel are cleanliness, safety and a good night’s sleep, and Hotel Venezia delivered on all three.
What was breakfast like?
Breakfast was included in our £83.59 room rate and was a good start to the day before heading into Venice. It helped make the overall stay feel even better value, particularly when comparing the price with accommodation in the historic centre.
What could Hotel Venezia improve?
The most obvious improvement would be a light modernisation of the rooms and communal spaces. The traditional décor may not appeal to travellers looking for something sleek or contemporary.
That said, I would be careful what I wished for. A major refurbishment could push the hotel into a higher price bracket and remove much of what currently makes it appealing. I would rather have a clean, comfortable and affordable room than stylish interiors accompanied by a much higher nightly rate.
Is staying in Mestre worth the compromise?
Staying outside central Venice does require a little more planning. You need to account for the journey into the historic centre and make sure you know how you are getting back at the end of the evening.
For me, that was a fair compromise for the saving. The transport connection was straightforward, and I would happily spend an extra 15 to 20 minutes travelling if it meant getting a clean room, comfortable bed and breakfast at a much more affordable price.
My honest verdict
Hotel Venezia Mestre is not the most modern hotel you will ever stay in, but it gets the important things right. Our room was clean, safe and comfortable, the air conditioning worked well and the bed gave us a genuinely good night’s sleep.
At £83.59 including breakfast, I could easily overlook the dated décor. Staying in Mestre requires slightly more planning than sleeping in central Venice, but the saving made that worthwhile for us. I would happily stay again, particularly if central Venice prices were significantly higher.
The staff know the city inside out – they’ll tell you which bàcaro still serves locals, or which vaporetto line has the best sunset view. You’re a short walk from Piazza Ferretto, Mestre’s lively square, full of shops, aperitivo spots, and evening energy.
For travellers who want genuine hospitality and value without compromising on location, Hotel Venezia strikes that balance perfectly.
What to Expect from Your Room at Hotel Venezia
Our room at Hotel Venezia was comfortable, simple, practical, and well looked after. You’ll get all the essentials without the fuss, plus a few touches that make travel days smoother.
Each room includes:
- Free Wi-Fi for planning your next wander (or posting that perfect canal shot)
- Air conditioning and heating so you’re sorted all year-round
- Flat-screen TV with satellite channels for a quiet night in
- Safety deposit box and wardrobe for peace of mind and space to unpack
- Telephone and wake-up service if you’re catching an early vaporetto
- Private bathroom with bath or shower, bidet, free toiletries, hairdryer, and fresh linen
- Interconnected rooms available for families or groups
- Choice of one large double bed or two singles, depending on what you need
What You’ll Save by Staying Outside the Lagoon
A mid-range double room in central Venice often starts around €200–€300 per night, climbing higher in peak months. In Mestre, you’ll find comfortable options between €75–€150, even in high season.
For our stay, we paid £83.59 for a standard double room at Hotel Venezia Mestre, booked through Hotels.com. This included breakfast, and we also earned £4.23 in Hotels.com rewards towards a future booking.
For our dates, staying in Mestre offered noticeably better value than the central Venice hotels we considered. It allowed us to keep the accommodation cost down without sacrificing a private room, breakfast or an easy journey into Venice.
How to Get from Mestre to Venice
Getting to Venice by Tram or Bus
If you’re staying at Hotel Venezia, getting into Venice couldn’t be easier. The tram and bus stops are just a short walk away – no need to trek to the train station unless you fancy it.
The Tram (Line T1)
The T1 tram runs directly from Mestre Centro to Piazzale Roma – the gateway to Venice’s main islands. It’s smooth, clean, and reliable, taking about 20 minutes door to door. Trams run roughly every 10 minutes from early morning until late at night.
A one-way ticket costs around €1.50 and can be bought at any ACTV ticket machine, newsstand, or tobacco shop (look for the blue “T” sign). You can also use the AVM Venezia app to buy and validate your ticket digitally.
The Bus
Several bus lines also connect Mestre to Venice, including the No. 2 route, which follows a similar journey to the tram and ends at Piazzale Roma. Travel time is again about 20 minutes, depending on traffic. The same ACTV ticket works for both tram and bus – just make sure to tap it on the validator when you board.
Top tip: If you’re planning to explore for a few days, grab a 24-hour or 48-hour travel pass, which covers trams, buses, and even vaporetti (the water buses in Venice). It’s brilliant value and saves you queuing for tickets each time.
From Hotel Venezia, it’s about a 5-minute walk to the nearest tram and bus stops, so you can be wandering along the canals before your morning coffee has even cooled.
Trains from Mestre to Venice Santa Lucia
Trains run directly from Mestre Station to Venice Santa Lucia, the main stop right in the heart of the historic centre. The journey takes around 10 minutes, with departures roughly every 10 minutes during the day. Tickets start at about €1.50, depending on the train type, and it’s one of the most affordable ways to hop across the lagoon.
You can buy tickets:
- Online: through the Trenitalia website or the official Venezia transport system site.
- At the station: from ticket machines or the staffed counters inside Mestre station.
- Via app: using the Trenitalia app, which lets you store and validate your ticket digitally.
You’ll arrive at Venice Santa Lucia Station, right on the Grand Canal – step outside and you’re immediately surrounded by bridges, boats, and that unmistakable Venetian energy.
Top tip: Always validate your paper tickets before boarding (you’ll see small green or yellow machines near the platforms). Digital tickets bought via the app don’t need to be validated.
Frequently Asked Questions About Staying in Mestre & Hotel Venezia
Is it better to stay in Venice or Mestre?
It depends on your budget and travel style. Staying in historic Venice puts you right on the canals, but you pay a premium for smaller rooms and tourist-priced meals. Mestre offers vastly superior value – hotels are roughly half the price, dining is much more affordable, and you get a break from the dense crowds, all while being just a short 20-minute tram ride away.
How do I get from Mestre to historic Venice, and how long does it take?
Getting into the lagoon is incredibly simple and takes about 20 minutes. You can take either the ACTV tram (Line T1) or the local bus directly to Piazzale Roma (the main transport hub in Venice). The stops are just a short walk from Hotel Venezia, and services run regularly throughout the day and late into the night.
How much does public transport cost between Mestre and Venice?
A single journey ticket on the tram or bus costs €1.50 (around €3–4 return). If you plan to use the water buses (vaporetti) in Venice as well, it’s highly economical to buy a 24, 48, or 72-hour ACTV transport pass, which covers both the mainland trams/buses and the water transport within the lagoon.
How do you get to Hotel Venezia from Marco Polo Airport?
You can take an airport bus from Venice Marco Polo Airport towards Mestre. Hotel Venezia recommends the ATVO service towards Mestre Railway Station, getting off at Corso del Popolo, or ACTV bus 15. Check the live route and stop information before travelling. The current ACTV airport ticket costs €10 one way or €18 return.
Does Hotel Venezia have air conditioning and free Wi-Fi?
Yes. Every room at Hotel Venezia comes fully equipped with free, reliable Wi-Fi and air conditioning (essential if you are visiting Italy during the hot summer months), alongside heating for winter travellers, satellite TV, and a private bathroom.
Is Mestre safe to walk around at night?
Yes. We felt safe around Hotel Venezia and when travelling between Mestre and Venice during our stay. The hotel is close to the shops, restaurants and public transport around central Mestre. As anywhere, particularly around busy transport areas, keep an eye on your belongings and check your return route before staying out late.
Recent Changes & Things to Know
- Venice Access Fee update: The 2026 Access Fee trial ended on 26 July 2026. There is currently no payment or exemption process required. Check the official Venice Access Fee website before travelling, as arrangements for future years have not yet been confirmed.
- Crowd Control: Expect tighter rules on large tour groups, particularly near St Mark’s Square and Rialto Bridge.
- Respect the Locals: With fewer than 50,000 residents left in the historic centre, Venetians are protective of their home. No picnics on monuments, no dipping your feet in canals, and keep noise down at night.
- Transport Updates: Mestre’s tram and bus lines are reliable, though occasional maintenance can cause short delays. Always check the last service times if you’re returning late.
Hotel Venezia Mestre is not the most modern hotel you will ever stay in, but it gets the important things right. Our room was clean, safe and comfortable, the air conditioning worked well and the bed gave us a genuinely good night’s sleep.
At £83.59 including breakfast, I could easily overlook the dated décor. Staying in Mestre requires slightly more planning than sleeping in central Venice, but the saving made that worthwhile for us. I would happily stay again, particularly if central Venice prices were significantly higher.
Updated: 28 July 2026
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I never knew there was a budget friendly option to Venice. Great tips, thanks Ryan!
De nada amiga! Thank you for the kind words 💚