Too pricey and unfriendy - are you having a laugh??

I researched a lot of hotels trying to find the 'right' hotel in Venice (i.e. right price, right place and right room). I was running out of options and took a chance with the Lisbona - an absolute result.The hotel itself is not the largest but is beautifully situated right in the middle of San Marco (about 5 mins from the square). I heard some complaints from the other guests about the size of their rooms but given it was 130 Euros per night we were spoilt with luxury - compact I agree, but very well appointed with a lovely bathroom and a small balcony with a canal view - and this from the 'standard' double room!

Oh, and a nice continental breakfast too....All in all, I highly recommend the hotel to others looking for a reasonably priced hotel in the heart of town (in October). And I couldnt disagree more with our friend from Chicago - I dont think he was writing about the same hotel!! I couldnt disagree more with him about the staff attitude - his review does the hotel and its staff a real injustice. Perhaps it is his attitude that needs reviewing!Bravo Lisbona.

Great Location, Too Pricey Though, and Unfriendly Staff

I searched high and low for just the right room. I wanted a balcony on a side canal. I got that at Hotel Lisbona for $250 Euro a night for just me. The room was beyond tiny, with almost embarrasing amenities (half used jars of shampoo)and the so-called balcony was a joke. My mini bar never worked, yet they continued to nickel and dime me on charges, even though I had to trek downstairs myself everytime I wanted something to drink. I couldn't believe I was paying $250 Euro a night.

The staff was curt at best, calling me at 10:00 at night the night before my 4:30 wake up call to come down and close my account out. They woke me up. I was furious. On the bright side, the central location was fabulous, a few steps from the San Marco square. I know better now, and won't book a room with a balcony, who needs it. I have a feeling I would have been much happier at a hotel that specializes in customer service, somewhere off the main tourist area. There are so many choices in Venice, and Hotel Lisbona is not a good choice.

Awesome Hotel for the Price

I shopped around forever, to find a reasonably priced hotel in Venice on a canal. Decided on the Lisbona and were very satisfied with our Sept 2003 stay. The rooms were nicely decorated and clean. The hotel is along a side canal, facing the 5-star Hotel Baur. Had a slight problem with the water pressure in the shower some mornings, but it only lasted a minute or two. You are just a few steps away from San Marco square and there are gondola rides just steps away from the hotels front door.

The hotel staff even arranged for a complimentary boat ride to Murano for us. Looking forward to staying there again. A great value for the price!

Couldn't believe our luck!

I was travelling with my eight-year old son on a bit of a hooley from Dublin - Brussels - Venice - Stuttgart in August 2003, and after what was a very crummy hotel in Brussels (room stank of ammonia, old fashioned grill-fronted lift of the sort when put together with curious 8 yr old fingers = a trip to casualty, unsettlingly close to the red-light area, bar/lounge the size of a postage stamp, etc) I was looking forward to our next internet booked hotel with considerable trepidation.

Hotel Lisbona turned out to be like a gift - close to San Marco in spectacular surroundings, a quaint stepped bridge, a smalle calle with a beautiful church, and smart designer shops make up the view from the front door. Air conditioned to within an inch of decency, every possible need catered for in the rooms, from a sewing kit to a mosquito repeller, lovely staff, and an eat-all-you-can brekkie.

All this with lovely clean rooms, comfortable beds, and stunning decor.

As my son said, 'It's dead posh here innit, Mam!'

Hotel Lisbona was certainly the cherry on the cake of staying in Venice, and I could recommend it to any traveller gladly.

Nice and inexpensive in venice

This was a terrific hotel for a reasonable price, just a few steps from san marcos. It is an old charming hotel. The rooms are small but comfortable. The service was friendly and helpful. I would happily stay there again.

Great 3 star hotel in 5 star location

If you are looking for a reasonably priced 3 star hotel in the San Marco area - look no further than the Hotel Lisbona. Located 3 mins walk from the Piazza San Marco and directly opposite the luxurious Hotel Bauer is this charming boutique hotel. The decor is typical Venetian style (not just another anonymous hotel room) and most rooms have a view over a canal which is frequented by serenading gondoliers. Although the rooms are not large, they are definitely not the smallest hotel rooms in Venice! Our room was located on the first floor and had a full bathroom with a bath which you could sit in and open the bathroom window and listen to the singing gondoliers - very romantic! The breakfast was served downstairs and was very good in comparison to most other Italian hotels. There was also a small lounge area downstairs where you could have a drink in the evening and share your travel stories. The only down side is that the hotel is not easy to find the first time you look for it - when you cross the bridge behind the Hotel Bauer, it is on your left (towards the Grand Canal), past the gondola station (you can't miss that - all the gondoliers with their striped shirts are lounging around waiting for customers!) and at the end of the covered walkway. I hope you enjoy your stay there as much as we did.