Venice Times Hotel

With a putty-colored exterior with rust-red shutters and balconies, the Stella Alpina Edelweiss is unadorned and a bit weathered, but its rooms and hallways are clean, and it's conveniently located. Red-carpeted steps lead into the lobby, which, with its gold-trimmed pillars, archways, Venetian-glass chandelier, hand-painted designs, Oriental rug, red-striped sofas, and vintage-style front desk, exudes a sense of faded elegance. A large staircase leads to the rooms -- there's no elevator. The lovely courtyard, surrounded by tropical trees and foliage and plenty of seating, including a green-and-white striped swing seat, is a lovely gathering spot, and the highlight of the hotel.

The hotel is located on a narrow pedestrian street that’s about a three-minute walk to the Santa Lucia train station, and a five-minute walk to the Grand Canal water taxis and the Scalzi Bridge. Within a 10-minute walk is the Piazzale Roma bus terminal. Some of Cannaregio's local-style restaurants and shops are also within walking distance. By vaporetto, it’s a 30-minute trip to St. Mark’s Basilica and 15 minutes to the Rialto Bridge. The walk to Gallerie dell'Accademia takes 20 minutes. It’s a 40-minute drive to the Venice Marco Polo Airport.

The 30 rooms at the Stella Alpina Edelweiss are clean, basic, and a bit dated, with carpeting or parquet floors, white curtains, and Venetian-style white furniture. While vintage-style light fixtures add an interesting touch, the commercial drop ceilings in some of the rooms lessen the effect. Budget Single and Double rooms have in-room sinks but share bathrooms. All rooms have flat-screen TVs on desks, air-conditioning, and safes. Wi-Fi comes with an additional fee. 

Standard Rooms have one to four beds. Junior Suites have living rooms, separated from bedrooms by sliding doors. Bathrooms have mosaic tile designs. Private bathrooms vary in size but have showers, hairdryers, and bidets. The hotel does not have an elevator, so guests who prefer not to climb stairs should request rooms on the ground floor (though these can be noisier). The large windows, which don’t have screens, mostly overlook the streets or courtyard. Higher-priced rooms have balconies.

Straying from the hotel’s shabby elegance, the breakfast lounge goes for a more modern vibe, with a boldly designed wall, modern chairs in various colors, and pale wooden floors. Breakfast is included in the room rate and includes cereal, fruit, cold meats, and cheeses. A vending machine offers snacks and drinks for purchase. Patio seating is available in the courtyard. The front desk is open 24 hours a day, and luggage storage is available for a per person fee. In-room Wi-Fi and use of the lobby computer also come with a fee.