GregW

My wife and I are going on a hastily arranged (accidently found a "reasonable" airfare on Delta) 4 day trip to Venice at the end of October. We did a 1/2 day trip to Venice a couple of years ago but, have not really experienced it yet.

I have done some research and come up with 2 properties that seem like good candidates but, I do not know the areas and hotels well enough to choose (...I can't make up my mind!)

Can you offer any suggestions or experience with these?

Hotel Violino d'oro (San Marco):
A number of good reviews on location, rooms and breakfast buffet. Close to San Marco and Alilaguna stop.

Ca' Bernardi(San Polo):
A couple positive posts (here and on SlowTrav)about the property and the American owner. The main positive here is that they offer a 1 bedroom apartment that is reasonable and available. (We prefer staying in apartments, if possible)

My hesitation is that I am not familiar with the location and can't find many reviews pro or con. I like the idea of being somewhat removed from the "tourist" areas but, at the same time I want to be in an area that has restaurants, shops and markets close by and not too far from the main sites.

You have proven to be very helpful (and entertaining!) in the past...I would appreciate any feedback or input to help me make up my mind.

Greg W

Kate

Your comment about apartments rang a bell. When I was there recently, I really enjoyed wandering around the area where the Peggy Gugenheim museum is - Dorsoduro just across the Grand Canal from San Marco, and thought I'd love to stay there next time as it's quieter, but still central to the main sites. Then, when I got back, I found this website for lovely looking apartments in that area. That's where I'm going next time!

http://www.warmhospitality.com/app-en-iris.html

They're owned by a well-known hotel in the area.

Eloise

I heartily second Kate's recommendation of the Dorsoduro area. It has many of the points of interest one wants to visit (Accademia, Church of the Frari, Scuola Grande di San Rocco, the Peggy Guggenheim), many restaurants, bars and cafés, lots of life in the evening. It's also easy to get to the San Marco side, either over the Accademia bridge or by traghetto (a gondola that plies back and forth across the Grand Canal all day long) from San Toma.

To my mind, San Polo is relatively lifeless.

Leely

We've stayed on the border of San Polo/Dorsoduro before (I think it was officially Dorsoduro), and we really liked it. Venice is pretty small (admittedly I love to walk and wander, particularly at night); if you're leaning toward the San Polo place, I'd say go for it. And then walk towards Dorsoduro when you want a glass of wine, some dinner...

bobthenavigator

I would find the San Polo location to be a bit remote for me. The Violino d' Oro is in a great location for the action, but may prove to be a bit noisy. I love the location of the Hotel Ala best, or the cute B&B right behind it named Locanda Barbarigo. They also have an apt. closer to san Marco that we stayed in for a week. Ask Vito about that.

GregW

Thank you for your input.

Anyone have any experience with Ca'Bernardi?

Greg

flygirl

I love Dorsoduro! Would love to be near Santa Maria della Salute (did I get that right?) and Peggy's Palazzo non-finito.

but, I don't think you can go wrong in San Marco sestiere. correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think there is a 'bad' neighborhood in Venice. they just cater to different tastes.