steph and chris

Hi guys: <BR> <BR>We've been following all the talk on Italy (and really enjoying it!), specifically Venice, Florence, Chianti, and Cinque Terre since we're going to try to hit them all on our 2-week honeymoon in May! Our first request of our fellow fodorites is to vote for their favorite of the following hotels in Venice. We are looking for something under or around $150, centrally located (although we're not sure where that would be) and not too modern (we'd like something more 'old-world' than modern, except the bathroom, of course). so, which should we book? <BR> <BR>Pensione Accademia "Villa Maravege" <BR>Hotel Galleria <BR>Albergo al Piave <BR>Pensione La Calcina <BR> <BR>thanks to all who vote - After following the forum, we trust you all to steer me in the right direction! If we're missing a really obvious choice, feel free to include it. <BR>We'll also need help once we narrow down the chioces in the other locations, but we'll get to that later. Looking forward to your responses! <BR> <BR>Mille grazie! <BR> <BR>stephanie and chris <BR>

richard j vicek

Good afternoon, Steph and chris <BR>The Pensione Accademia has been noted <BR>in this and other travel bb's. Any <BR>remarks I can recall were very positive. <BR>It is in a very good location, just less <BR>then five minutes from the Accademia <BR>Bridge and about ten mins to the Pza <BR>S. Marco. There are a number of <BR>ristorantes in the area. <BR>Have not stayed here however and also <BR>have no knowledge of the other three <BR>hotels. Richard of La Grange Park, IL..

Patrick

I appreciate your attempt at this poll, but like most polls it has one major flaw. It is doubtful that you will find anyone who has actually stayed at two or more of these hotels, so no one will really be giving you a good opinion of which is better or best. It would at best be a poll to see how many people read this post who have stayed at each of the hotels. It's sort of like those travel magazine reader polls. Not many readers have stayed at four or five hotels in Hong Kong, so each person is merely voting for the one they have stayed in. What does that prove? I suppose mainly it proves that if one hotel has been consistently featured in the magazine and/or if they advertise a lot in it, then more of their readers will have stayed there and vote for that hotel as their favorite in that city. I guess it's good for business for the magazine to get that hotel to repeat their advertising with them. I'll get off my soap box now. To answer your question, I haven't stayed at any of these five hotels, so sorry can't help rate them.

Paulo

Pretty strange hotel selection for a poll ... Can you tell us about the process that lead you to the list? For starters, let me say I haven't used any of them! <BR> <BR>The Galleria is a 1-star, located on the Grand Canal, steps from the Accademia bridge. A double in May should cost around $90. I haven't seen it mentioned in guide books (but it may be in some budget minded ones) <BR> <BR>The Al Piave is a 2-star, located just off Campo Sta. Maria Formosa in Castello. This is more central than the others, approx. equidistant from San Marco square and Rialto. A double should run approx $130. Haven't seen it mentioned in guides but at least a Fodorite recently posted a positive review (he used an appartment, though, which may be over your budget). <BR> <BR>La Calcina is a recently renovated 3-star (used to be a 2-star) located in a relatively secluded area in Dorsoduro, close to the Gesuati church, facing the Giudecca Canal. The stroll to San Marco should read about 15 minutes. A double should run around $140. It's recommended in quite a few guides and here at Fodors it only receive positive reviews. <BR> <BR>Richard described the 3-star Accademia. A double in May may be a shade ($10) over your budget. It's a very old villa located in a quite area, filled with old furnishings (if they haven't worked on it the last few years, there may be signs of wear) and bearing a garden (rarity in Venice) listed in most guides. It may be the most "romantic" of your list (of course, it'll depend on your definition of romantic). <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR>

Paulo

Everything considered, my vote would probably go to the La Calcina ... <BR>Paulo <BR>

Kimerley

Steph, I have booked a canal room for 3 people at the Hotel Galleria for June 2001. 300,000 Lire a night. If you do a search on the Galleria on Fodors you will see favourable comments. Thats why I chose it. Mind you I'm not going on my honeymoon! <BR>For the Cinque Terre, we are staying at Manarola for 7 nights. I booked a apartment called La Torretta. <BR>For Florence, we are staying at the Hotel Casci for 3 nights. <BR>We then splurged and booked a magnificent Villa near Perugia for 1 week. <BR>It might be more enjoyable/romantic if you concentrate on a couple of areas and stay longer. <BR>Enjoy

Mary Ann

Hi Steph <BR>We were at the Galleria last year (2 couples in 2 rooms). As said above alot depends on what you are looking for. Our room was on the Grand Canal side and ran about $100 in late September. It was one of the smaller rooms, but the view of the canal was terrific. Breakfast is served in the room, very fresh and good, and you can watch the morning traffic on the canal (school boats, vaporettos, vegetable boats, mcdonalds boats). We had no problems with noise and our heads were probably 10 feet from the edge of the canal. The accademia bridge is within view. There is a very good Pizza restaurant between the hotel and the bridge. The staff were very nice. The bathroom was clean but small. We have a picture we like to show friends. The room was long and very narrow with the window at the end. The width of the bed and an asile was in front of the window. I am 5' 8inches and we have a picture of me crosswize on the bed with my head touching one wall and my feet the other! In reality, we spent so little time in the room (breakfast, showering, etc) that it was perfectly fine. They did have a larger corner room on the Grand Canal (not on the side of the restaurant) which was more. My sister in law was able to catch a terrific photo of the sun rising over the canal towards San Marco. All in all we really enjoyed our stay.

steph & chris

Thanks everyone!! you all have been really helpful. We booked the hotel galleria and are looking forward to staying there after reading all the comments. Like Mary Ann, we don't intend to spend too much time in the room so we went for location and lower price. All the more time and money to spend on other things! mmmm.....italian wine! <BR>Thanks again - this forum has been really great to follow. <BR> <BR>Ciao! <BR> <BR>Steph and Chris

Marcie

The very best hotel was not mentioned by you which is Hotel Europa and Regina. It is fantastic and from time to time Starwoods has specials where the rooms are affordable. It is truly a 5 star with a great view and location and charm. I'd check their prices....we got lucky when we went.

Marty

I stayed at the Al Piave this past summer and liked it very much. I don't have my notes right here, but if you do a search, I gave someone else the information on it earlier this fall. I stayed in an apartment and a room. They have a website.

curious

How lucky? Under $150? <BR>

Hans

My vote would be to Penssione Accademia (assuming you can get a room). I have stayed there, at the Georgionne, the Europe & Regina and the Bauer--while the last two I mentioned are in the deluxe range their prices tend to be more than $400/night! The Accademia, however, has (in my opinion) more charm and is quieter and is a wonderful place to stay.