HotelChatter

1. When To Go
Venice's nickname is La Serenissima, but that's pure irony: not even an Italian would call the city serene. It's a tourist magnet and people flock in from all over the world during Carnival (February), the various Bienniale art and culture festivals and the Film Festival in September. Hotels are packed and double their prices, insisting on minimum stays. Unless you're desperate to see the festivals, avoid them like the plague.

Hotel rates in Venice are as fluid and unpredictable as the water around them. If you can, go during the week to avoid the weekend-break prices - in most cities, weekend-break deals are cheaper; in Venice it's the opposite. And go during winter if you can stand the fog.

2. Where To Go
Guidebooks tell you to get a 'central' location near St Mark's Square and the Grand Canal. But no! Turn that round. Avoid hotels in these areas... Venice is such a teeny city that you can walk to St Mark's Square or the Grand Canal within a few minutes from pretty much wherever you are.

St Mark's Square used to be filled with pigeons, but they were all killed off by a 'don't feed the pigeons' policy. Now it is filled with tourists, which in many ways is worse than the pigeons. Incredibly noisy streets and rocket-high prices are all you can expect round here.

Don't stay near the Grand Canal either, because prices triple if the hotel website can even mention the word 'Grand Canal' in its location section. In fact, staying over a canal may sound romantic, but it's not - in Venice canals are roads and you get the early morning rubbish collectors and other river traffic blasting and shouting their way around underneath your window.

Instead, check out the Dorsodouro district, the studenty San Polo and Santa Croce, or the mainly residential, cheaper, more 'real' area of Cannaregio. Or try one of the islands, like Giudecca.

3. Extra Charges
Breakfast, WiFi, laundry, minibars, even tax - extra charges can double your room bill without you even noticing. There's no strict rule. Some hotels offer up a hefty spread for breakfast, and some charge huge amounts for a slice of bread and a watery cappuccino.

So keep your eyes open. Although, to be honest, café and internet prices in the city aren't that much lower....

Got any suggestions for hotels in Venice that won't kill our wallets? If anyone has any tips on budget sightseeing in Venice, put your suggestions in comments below.