Dating, incredibly, from 1227, it’s tough to find a more historic place to lay your head than this. The building’s long and complicated history—it was once the “Inn of the Monkey,” run by nuns, the original mostly destroyed by fire in 1513—is well worth delving into (the owners have all the details). Rooms are simply but classically furnished, with wood floors, exposed beams, air conditioning and private bathrooms—some rooms still contain original frescos, possibly dating from the medieval inn. Note that some rooms are on the sixth floor—and there’s no elevator.

Calle Drio La Scimia 240a (near the Rialto Market). www.hotelguerrato.com. tel. 041/5227131. 19 units. Vaporetto: Rialto (from north side of Ponte Rialto, walk through the market to corner with UniCredit Banca; go 1 more short block and turn right; hotel is halfway along Calle Drio La Scimia). Amenities: Babysitting; concierge; Wi-Fi (free).