Pros:
archie and his son were very helpful and friendly, and would recommend places to go.
Cons:
the bathrooms needed some work,had to pay for a shower and to leave your bag the day you left,no ac
eurotrippers
saw things this way
Maintenance
(2)
Cleanliness
(2)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
(2)
(Review ID: 8592)
although archie and his son were very helpful, i would not reccomend staying here. the dorms were unbearably hot and there was no aircon or fans. the bathrooms weren't very nice, and it was generally quite dirty and untidy. free internet.
Pros:
Ignore the questions one through four; I´m pleased it´s still going strong!
Cons:
One would hope Archie is in good health and things are going well!
Ivario
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 7508)
I last visited almost 25 years ago and enjoyed it. I am pleased Archie is alive and well and that another generation is passing through his doors. I can´t speak about how it might compare with other places and so forth, but I remember being so satisfied with his hospitality and the way he encouraged guests to relax and enjoy each other -- congratulations for keeping things going!I imagine there are problems with the facilities and that things have changed somewhat -- so what.
6 of
13 people found this review helpful
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mihir
salzburg, austria
still a great place to stay 17 April 2006
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
mihir
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 4323)
i read the reviews posted on bug before booking but loads has changed since then. ivy the crazy crazy dog died about 6 months ago so the smell has gone but so has the charm. but its still a great place to stay. venice is like out of a fairy tale but is terribly expensive so 17 euros for a night is not bad at archies. rooms were clean and toilettes were ok. free internet but u cant use it the whole day. first place i stayed at where they charge for hot water showers !!!!!!!!!!! archies younger son ari checked us in and he is a cool chap. archie is still studying, some chinese alphabets or something !!! dont forget to check out the quaint jewish ghetto(oldest one in the world) while ur there.
6 of
14 people found this review helpful
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Elmer
Hawaii
Just the best option! 11 November 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Elmer
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 4324)
Laura, you Rock!, friendly place, no hassle, good price, great location, close to supermarket, free internet, homestyle place to stay.... has character....It was my best decision!Laura working there....such a sweetheart that invited out for pizza and hanging out with her friends....! I felt like being at home.
10 of
16 people found this review helpful
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Macarena
(macarena_canada@yahoo.fr)
from Montreal, Canada
Montreal, Canada
Great place to stay 1 August 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Macarena
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 4325)
This was a nice and cheap place to stay. Located not too far away from the main train station. No curfew. Clean room with a bathroom. Free access to internet, but you must pay for the shower. I think Archie's House is the best option in Venice, I recommend this hostel to all backpackers!!!
10 of
16 people found this review helpful
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Anonymous
New Zealand
Lovely Hostel 3 July 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 4326)
At first arrival me and my two friends were greeted by ultra friendly staff and crazy crazy Ivy. One of the loveliest and homey places I stayed at in Europe. Having to wait for your shower and pay for it too was a little anoying but very bearable. Only a microwave to cook with but free internet. Met some amazing people in this hostel. Our room had lots of space to spread out, no bunk beds there, and a view of the street from which we were graced with various musical performances. If you're looking for somewhere to make you feel at home, good location and crazy dog to play with, this is the place. Plus there's a ping pong table, beat that.
4 of
10 people found this review helpful
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jaypandolfo
Yellowknife, NT, Canada
The epitome of average 11 December 2004
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
jaypandolfo
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(3)
(Review ID: 4327)
This place was merely mediocre but let's face it, nobody goes to Venice for the hostel life. Archie's is a short and uncomplicated walk from the train station, which is nice because Venice has the most confusing streets of any city I've ever been to. It's just minutes from the old Jewish ghetto, which is one of my favourite (and least touristed) parts of the city. Archie is a very nice man who speaks just about every language imaginable. He is an invaluable resource about the city, and gives you a map with a recommended walking tour. As for the facilities, well they weren't the greatest. The rooms tend to fill up with mosquitos, but this is understandable because Venice is basically built on a bog. The bathrooms were on the ramshackle side. And it is VERY annoying to have to pay for hot water; not so much because of the money, but because Archie is often running around doing something, and so you have to wait for him to reappear before you can shower. But for a decently priced bed in a good location (in an enchanting city), you should consider Archie's.
19 of
21 people found this review helpful
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annabobanna
york, uk
Archie is the man 10 September 2004
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
annabobanna
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 4328)
I absolutley loved Archie's house - mostly down to the fact that Archie really takes care of his guests. When we arrived we were greeted by Archie (and Ivy the crazy dog) and supplied with maps, walking tours, boat tours and restaurant suggestions. There's no curfew and NO LOCKOUT (useful, if like me you wilt in the sun and quite like to have a siesta!!!)Our double room was enormous - it even had its own sofa. My friend felt it was a bit dirty but overall i thought it was more than adequate. True, you have to pay for hot water but when it's 35 degrees outside who wants a hot shower??! I highly reccomed Archie's for an affordable, friendly and very memorable place to stay in Venice.
4 of
12 people found this review helpful
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micdab
Kraków, Poland
Average hostel, friendly owner, good location. 3 September 2004
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
micdab
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(3)
(Review ID: 4329)
As far as location goes, it was probably the best place to stay in Venice. The hostel is alright - friendly atmosphere, nice owner. But the building is generally run down (like a lot of buildings in Venice, unfortunately...). The rooms themselves were actually quite nice but the bathroom was in a pretty bad shape. Paying 1 euro for the shower I can live with, but I found it a little exaggerated to have to pay 50 cents for leaving your bags at the hostel the day of your departure.
9 of
9 people found this review helpful
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blancuchi21
Segovia, Spain
Not very nice.. 20 August 2004
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
blancuchi21
saw things this way
Maintenance
(2)
Cleanliness
(2)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
(2)
(Review ID: 4330)
It's very well located. The hostel itself is quite dirty with smelly bathrooms... Archie is OK but it's the first hostel where i've payed for taking a shower and for leaving my backpack a couple of hours the day i was leaving.
