Venice is one of those places where choosing the right hotel can make a surprisingly big difference. Stay in the historic centre and you are right among the canals and narrow streets, but you also have to deal with higher prices, crowds, stairs and the challenge of getting your luggage around.
We decided to stay just outside the historic centre at MEININGER Venezia Mestre, and after spending several nights there with our family, I was pleasantly surprised by how well it worked.
Our room was comfortable, getting into Venice was straightforward, and having a guest kitchen and laundry facilities turned out to be particularly useful when travelling with three kids.
So, is MEININGER Venezia Mestre actually a good place to stay when visiting Venice? Here is what our family stay was like and what you should know before booking.
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| MEININGER Venezia Mestre: a comfortable base just outside Venice with easy access to the historic centre. |
Why We Chose MEININGER Venezia Mestre
When travelling as a family, I don't necessarily need a hotel right in the middle of the action. A comfortable room, easy transport, somewhere to get food and a little space to relax can be more important after a long day of sightseeing.
That was what attracted us to MEININGER Venezia Mestre.
The hotel is on the mainland in Mestre, close to Venezia Mestre railway station. We travelled by car, left it near the hotel and used public transport to get into Venice each day.
It meant we could enjoy Venice during the day without having to worry about driving or parking in the historic centre.
Location and Getting to Venice
MEININGER Venezia Mestre is located on Via Ca' Marcello, around 500 metres from Venezia Mestre railway station. The hotel also has bus connections towards Venice, with a direct bus to central Venice stopping close to the hotel.
For us, the bus was the easiest option. We used it each day to reach Venice and didn't find staying in Mestre a hassle at all.
The railway station provides another option, with trains connecting Mestre to Venezia Santa Lucia. The area is also well connected to the wider region by regional and long-distance trains, buses and airport coaches.
So although you are not staying inside Venice itself, the location is practical. You trade the atmosphere of sleeping in historic Venice for easier access by road and public transport.
Our Family Room
Our room was one of the pleasant surprises of the stay.
We travelled as a family with three kids, and the room was more spacious than I expected from a relatively budget-friendly hotel. There were comfortable beds, a clean private bathroom and a table with chairs.
That table turned out to be useful throughout our stay. We could sit down for something to eat, plan the next day or simply have somewhere to relax without everyone being on the beds.
MEININGER rooms have private bathrooms, air conditioning, heating, bed linen and towels. The hotel also offers different room configurations, including family rooms and multi-bed rooms.
One thing worth knowing before booking is that the rooms do not have a refrigerator or minibar. There is a refrigerator available in the guest kitchen instead.
The Facilities We Actually Used
MEININGER Venezia Mestre has several facilities aimed at making longer or family stays easier, including a guest kitchen, laundry facilities, communal areas, a game zone, free WiFi and a 24-hour reception.
We actually made use of several of them during our stay.
Guest Kitchen
The guest kitchen was particularly useful. On some evenings, we bought food nearby and heated it at the hotel rather than going out for another restaurant meal after a full day in Venice.
There is also a large SPAR supermarket nearby, which made it easy to pick up drinks, snacks and food for the room.
For a family, this gives you a little more flexibility than a traditional hotel where every meal has to be eaten out.
Laundry
The laundry facilities were another feature we appreciated. When you are travelling with children for several days, being able to wash and dry clothes can be far more useful than it sounds.
The hotel currently offers washing and drying facilities for an additional fee.
Breakfast
We also had breakfast at the hotel before heading into Venice.
The breakfast buffet was a convenient way to start the day, especially when we knew we would be walking for hours. MEININGER currently serves breakfast from 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM, with vegan options available.
Parking If You Arrive by Car
If you are driving to Venice, staying in Mestre can simplify things considerably.
We left our car close to the hotel and used public transport for our days in Venice. That meant we didn't have to take the car into the historic centre or spend time looking for somewhere to leave it.
MEININGER lists both street parking and a public parking garage nearby, with parking charges applying. Because parking arrangements and prices can change, it is worth checking the current information before your trip.
For us, being able to leave the car behind and explore Venice by public transport was a definite advantage.
What Is Mestre Like?
Staying in Mestre is obviously a different experience from staying on one of Venice's islands.
When you walk out of the hotel, you won't immediately find canals, historic palaces and Venetian bridges. Mestre has a much more everyday, mainland-city feel, with shops, supermarkets, restaurants and other practical facilities.
After a busy day in Venice, we actually liked having somewhere a little less hectic to return to.
Piazza Ferretto, the main square of Mestre, is around a 20-minute walk from the hotel. So there are things to explore locally, but the main reason to choose this hotel is really its combination of accommodation and transport connections rather than the sightseeing directly around the property.
Is MEININGER Venezia Mestre Good for Families?
Based on our own stay, yes.
What worked for us was the combination of a comfortable family room and practical facilities. The guest kitchen meant we didn't have to eat out every evening, the laundry was useful with three children, and public transport made getting into Venice straightforward.
MEININGER also offers family rooms with bunk beds. The hotel currently advertises discounts for younger children, although these offers can change, so check the current conditions when booking.
For families with older children or teenagers, the combination of space and flexibility may be more useful than the traditional services you would find at a more formal city hotel.
Things to Know Before Booking
Our MEININGER Venezia Mestre Video Tour
Want to see more of the hotel before booking? We filmed a short tour showing the MEININGER Venezia Mestre, including the hotel and some of its shared areas.
Would We Stay at MEININGER Venezia Mestre Again?
After staying here with our family, I would consider MEININGER Venezia Mestre again for a Venice trip.
The hotel didn't give us the experience of waking up beside a Venetian canal, but that wasn't what we were looking for. Instead, it gave us a comfortable place to stay, practical facilities and an easy way to get into Venice without taking the car.
For us, that made the difference.
If staying inside historic Venice is the most important part of your trip, then Mestre obviously offers a different experience. But if you are travelling with children, arriving by car or simply want a practical base outside the busiest part of the city, MEININGER Venezia Mestre is worth considering.