We stayed at Foresteria Valdese for three days in May. We loved the location -- very central and yet quiet at the end of a street across a canal. Even the teenagers on a schooltrip who were staying there at the same time were very well-behaved. The room was very basic; we ended up in a three-bed room with a bunkbed as no doubles were available, but thanks to a large common room we did not mind the cramped space. The bathroom was very nice. The very fact that we were staying in an old Venetian palazzo was a treat though we did not have frescoes in our room nor the canal view though we know that if you are lucky you can get those. As we had to pay for a room for three people, it seemed quite pricey, but certainly a better value than a hotel in Mestre. IWe'd go back any time.

See poligeo's review below also for detailas of the building and lication. Lovely hostel type accommodation.
Excellent location near piazza San Marco, views of the canals from nearly all rooms and truly interesting old ventian building. Super clean and well run. Lovely common room with television and super awesome breakfast with bread, yoghurt, coffee, tea, cereal! Super interesting!

My last trip to Venice lasted one week and I divided my accommodation into three different places in order to have a richer experience of the different areas -or sestieri- of the city.

Foresteria Valdese is in the Palazzo Cavagnis. It is run by the Waldesian Church that took over the building around 1868 and since then it is being restored in different stages. It is located in the sestiere of Castello, very close to Piazza San Marco and to Rialto Bridge. Just off Campo Santa Maria Formosa at the end of a narrow street between the Scandinavia Hotel and the bar with the biggest display of tables in the same square. Continue along the street and the Palazzo Cavagnis is just across the bridge at the end.

I heard about this place years ago and I was looking forward to staying there. I was not disappointed. The building is magnificent. The room had two large windows overlooking the canal. The bathroom was kitted out with lovely toiletries. Everything was spotlessly clean and the area is very quiet at night. The rooms have TV and heating for the winter. Altough there is no air conditioning we did not even open the windows at night.

Breakfast was abundant: selection of juices, fresh fruit, yogurt, cereals, breads, jams, tea, coffee, cold milk and hot milk too! More than enough to start the day. The staff were friendly and the rest of the guests were very correct. Most of them were Italian families which made breakfast time very picturesque for a foreigner.

I would recommend this place to people with an appreciation for Art and Venetian architecture. If you're too fussy please go somewhere else because the true luxury you are going to find in Foresteria Valdese is the possibility of enjoying an old palazzo and waking up to the canals and the real Venice.

I will definitely stay again in the future.

Many people opt to stay outside of central Venice because it is so expensive. This 16th century palace hostel run by the Waldensian church is a great find - 10 minutes from San Marco but in a non-touristy area. Some of the rooms are quite updated, some are older but have frescoes on the ceilings and walls (it is a palace after all). Great place, easy to find (once you find Santa Maria Formosa, walk between the cafe and hotel Scandinavia and you are there).