Travel The World

I Love Touring Venice, Italy - Castello District Hotels
The Castello district is the largest of Venice's six
districts, which are locally known as sestiere. It's in the
east of Venice and, unlike some of the other districts,
people actually live there. This is the least touristy part
of Venice, which may be an attraction for many. The area
includes many historic churches. For your convenience we
have listed these hotels in approximate order of cost,
starting with the least expensive. We have personally
verified all website addresses making sure that they include
English-language pages. The exception is clearly identified.

Santa Maria della Pieta is a casa per ferie (vacation house)
rather than a hotel. It does occupy the upper floors of two
palaces but don't come here expecting luxury. You should
enjoy the rooftop terrace. Some of its rooms are great for
families, if you reserve early enough you may get one with
six beds. There are 15 rooms. The address is Calle della
Pieta, Castello 3701. Their website is Italian language only
but clicking the translation provides the basics.

The Hotel Scandinavia, originally built around the year
1000, was once a luxurious Eighteenth Century residence.
According to local tradition this was where Desdemona met
Othello, the "Moor of Venice." Be that as it may, the hotel
is right near the Santa Maria Formosa church and a typical
Venetian square of the same name. There are 33 rooms. The
hotel address is Campo Santa. Maria Formosa, Castello 5240.

The Ca' Formenta was an unimpressive Fifteenth Century
building completely restored into a hotel in 2003. There is
a rooftop terrace. I'm told that the restaurants and coffee
houses in the neighborhood are filled with Venetians rather
than tourists. If you don't speak Italian bring your phrase
book. The street Via Garibaldi, named after the Italian
national hero, was laid over a stream. This hotel's address
is Via Garibaldi, Castello 1650.

The Hotel Londra Palace was originally built in the
mid-Nineteenth Century. Among its famous guests was
Tchaikovsky who in 1877 wrote the first three movements of
his 4th Symphony in room 106. The hotel has a bar and an
upscale restaurant. There are 36 rooms and 17 suites. The
hotel address is Riva degli Schiavoni, Castello 4171.

The Metropole, like the Hotel Londra Palace, has a music
connection. Antionio Vivaldi taught music there. Try to get
a rooftop room, or at least stop by the rooftop terraces.
The place is just packed with antiques and beautiful curios
many of which can be viewed on their website. The hotel
boasts a Michelin two-star restaurant. There are 67 rooms
and a total of 22 suites. The hotel address is Riva degli
Schiavoni, Castello 4149.

About the Author:

Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten books on computers
and the Internet but he would rather just drink fine Italian
or other wine, accompanied by the right foods. He teaches
various computer classes in an Ontario French-language
community college. Check out his wine website
http://www.theworldwidewine.com with a weekly column
reviewing $10 wines and new sections writing about (theory)
and tasting (practice) organic and kosher wines.