travel52

Because I wanted to make sure to get a room at the Hotel Ala (because of the elevator etc) for May 2006, I have been eager to book ASAP. The discount websites, nor Best Western were taking reservations yet. I called the Hotel and they were taking reservations already. A Deluxe Double with a canal view was quoted as EURO 250,00. I really wanted to stay closer to the $200 range, but she would not guarantee a canal view with just a standard double. When I told my husband the price he has been pale every since. Could I have gotten a better price by "cooling my heels"? Also, someone hinted on this board that there might be 2 Hotel Ala's in Venice. Please tell me this isn't true. This was the most difficult hotel to figure out for this trip and I can't decide whether to feel good about it or not!

rex

I have never heard of a second Hotel Ala. Unlike airfares, it is far less likely that May rates there will display a roller-coaster graph in the next 11 months. I think you did fine.

Best wishes,

Rex

travel52

Thanks Rex. The "sticker shock" for Venice is mind boggling. Good thing I have more time to save some money. Anyone else with experience with the rates at Hotel Ala?

rex

You're welcome...

...and topping, to try to get you some more answers...

worldinabag

Hi

Have you looked at Locanda Leon Bianco - http://www.leonbianco.it. For 200E you get Grande Canal views. Look at Trip Advisor -www.tripadvisor.com - for reviews. Apparently room 4 is the one you want.

For half the rate try for a canal room (apparently room 2 is good) at Al Vagon Hotel - www.http://www.venice-hotel.hotelalvagon.com. Mixed reviews on Trip Advisor.

Hope this helps.



Hope this helps.

mcnyc

Maybe it was the time of year, but when I was looking at the Hotel Ala for this July (Sunday after next actually), I found a pretty nifty price of 150 Euro for a queen, canal view w/deluxe furnishings. I was quite pleasantly surprised since:
1 - it's the middle of tourist season
2 - it's Bienale time
3 - Venice hotels are supposed to be super expensive

Anyway, in the end, I didn't go for the Hotel Ala, but the Hotel Abazzia, closer to the train station (read: easier for me to deal with my family's luggage). I have been forever planning to stay in Venice for Carnivale, so I may stay there yet! It looks so pretty and walking distance to St. Mark's Square.

My suggestion is to check back the Best Western website every so often to see if the price might have gone down for the time period you desire. Who knows what great deal you might find?

Best wishes,
Margaret

jurisdoctor

My husband and I stayed at the Ala in October 2004 and we loved it. We paid 190 euros/night (when the dollar was at its weakest) for a "superior double" room, which ended up being a canal-view room (a tiny canal but lovely). The Ala has lots of Venetian atmosphere as well as the amenities that make a place comfortable, without being stuffy. The location is very convenient, the breakfast was very good. Our room was small, but big enough to accommodate the two of us and our big suitcases. The music from the gondolas floating under our window from time to time was magical.

travel52

Thanks for the help. I think I will stick with my reservation and check back with Best Western from time to time to see if they can give me a better rate. The hotel meets all of my needs so I hate to gamble. As we were told by the waitress when we were charged 8 E for a coke across from the Duomo in Florence "Well, you are in Fiernze!" Well, I guess it's Venice !

mamc

We love the Ala. My recollection of rates is that we paid about $200 two years ago for a medium-sized, canal view room. Of course, the Euro has strengthened a lot since then.