Hotel Dalla Mora

The one-star Hotel Dalla Mora is a Cheapo winner in the Santa Croce neighborhood, with pristine rooms (most with canal views), friendly owners, and wonderfully low rates.

Situated in a 16th-century building nestled off of one of Santa Croce’s main shopping streets, the Hotel Dalla Mora offers one of the best hotel values in town. Its 14 guest rooms are smallish but feature handy wall-to-wall shelving and furnishings that are a mixed bag of antique and sturdy '80s and '90s pieces. Only two of the rooms are air-conditioned, and all are without television and telephone, although Wi-Fi is free and works throughout. Also, take note: 10 of the 14 rooms offer prime canal views.

In terms of bathrooms, the Dalla Mora offers three options: Rooms with a private bathroom, rooms with a private shower and shared toilet in the hall, and rooms that share all facilities. Shared or private, bathrooms are modern, and colorfully tiled in blue and green. Rooms with private bathrooms are obviously the most expensive, and go quickly, so book early. Rooms with shared facilities are located in the hotel's small annex, located across the tiny street.

Friendly brothers Francesco and Alessandro have been running the Dalla Mora since 1980, and they’ve added little extras that add another dose of charm. There’s the original artwork lining the hallways and decorating the breakfast room, the communal canal-side terrace that begs for an evening glass of vino (open until 8 pm), and a general sense of calm (guarded by the hotel’s lack of TV).

A traditional Italian breakfast is included in the room rate. Note that the hotel does not have an elevator.