Hotels Increasing Rates as Much as 223% for Carnival
February 12, 2012
Travelers who think Venice hotel rooms are already overpriced better prepare themselves this upcoming Carnival season. The Italian city known for its romantic canals and expensive accommodations is going to be even costlier the weekend prior to Mardi Gras. Indeed, an overnight stay in Venice will cost visitors significantly more during the prime Carnival dates than they would usually pay.
CheapHotels.org recently conducted a new survey that reveals price hikes at Venice hotels of up to 223%. In determining such figures, the website focused on the main Carnival weekend of February 17 to 19 and compared room rates on those nights with regularly posted prices.
Topping the list at the 223% upper limit is the Hotel Citta di Milano, situated close to Saint Mark's Square. This 2-star accommodation that usually charges 80 Euros for an overnight stay is socking Carnival guests with a 170-Euro price increase to 259 Euros.
Coming in not too far behind is the Hotel Moderno in the Canareggio neighborhood of Venice. Another 2-star accommodation, this one is posting a 211% rate hike for the third weekend in February. A price elevation from 69 Euros to 215 Euros accounts for that jump.
The Canareggio district, however, does have a few opportunities for budget travelers who want to enjoy Carnival for a bit less. A slightly more wallet-friendly room can be had in this northernmost district of Venice. Here, the cheapest available room for the main Carnival weekend is listed at around 150 Euros.
Staying in the heart of the city, right in the midst of the Carnival action in the San Marco district, and saving money don't go hand in hand, though. The cheapest hotels in that Venetian area are posting room rates upwards of 250 Euros.
The table that follows lists the 10 Venice hotels with the highest price hikes over the main Carnival weekend. The percentages shown were calculated after a comparison with regular room rates.
| Rank | Name of Hotel | Location | Regular | Carnival | Increase |
| 1. | Hotel Citta di Milano | San Marco | 80 euros | 259 euros | +223% |
| 2. | Hotel Moderno | Cannareggio | 69 euros | 215 euros | +211% |
| 3. | Hotel Alla Salute | Dorsoduro | 74 euros | 215 euros | +190% |
| 4. | Hotel Continental | Cannareggio | 150 euros | 400 euros | +166% |
| 5. | Hotel Caprera | Cannareggio | 115 euros | 165 euros | +153% |
| 6. | Domina Home Giudecca | Giudecca | 99 euros | 238 euros | +140% |
| 7. | Atlantide Hotel | Cannareggio | 80 euros | 190 euros | +137% |
| 8. | Best Western Albergo | San Marco | 115 euros | 272 euros | +136% |
| 9. | Hotel Arlecchino | Santa Croce | 140 euros | 327 euros | +135% |
| 10. | Hotel San Mois� | San Marco | 150 euros | 325 euros | +116% |
About the Methodology:
The survey was conducted on February 9, 2012. Available hotels in Venice and their rates for a standard double room for the weekend of February 17 to 19 were established based on a search of the leading hotel-booking sites: Expedia, Booking.com and Laterooms.com. For comparison purposes, the rates for the same rooms for the March 2-4 weekend were established and determined as "Regular Rates."
