The 25-room Hotel Iris is a budget, canal-front hotel conveniently located near a vaporetto stop and within walking distance of attractions like Campo San Polo and the Rialto Bridge. With stained bedding and old furnishings -- we saw tube-style TVs -- the hotel is in need of a deep clean and a major update. Rooms have either shared or private bathrooms, plus there's free Wi-Fi in the lobby, though it can be spotty. The location is hard to beat at these rates, but there are some hotels that compete, like the far more charming -- and clean! -- Ca' Riccio in the Cannaregio area of the city.

The 43-room Hotel L’Orologio is a four-pearl design boutique with a central location a 10-minute walk from St. Mark’s Square. Rooms have black wood-heavy decor punctuated by bright pops of red, yellow, or green, and upscale amenities such as flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, minibars, and electric kettles. Many rooms have panoramic Grand Canal views, but a few overlook a small side street and are a tad dark. The bar is a nice, quiet spot for a nightcap, and free breakfast is served daily in the adjacent room or the tiny shaded terrace by the Grand Canal. Travelers looking for a property with more historical touches and a location even closer to St. Mark's Square may want to compare rates with the Corte Di Gabriela.