Ali25

We are taking our first trip to Venice and, unfortunately, I am not finding the "perfect" hotel (a flaw I have in myself with all of my travels - no lectures, please! HA!). I would like a small, mid-priced, hotel or B & B with a balcony on any decent canal - preferably near San Marco? I guess I am always looking for "Romance"....is that a flaw?
Thanks for any input. We will be there Sept. 2-5, 2005.

usbeauty

Part of the problem is that the Film Festival begins on Aug 31 for 10 days and many of the best hotels are already sold out during this period. You have a good idea but timing is everything. You can work with a travel agent to find that hidden gem, or perhaps try adjusting your dates? Hope this is helpful.

hlocke1

Hi Ali --

Not sure if they're booked b/c of the film fest, but try the Hotel American... we stayed in room 101 last summer and had 3 balconies on a nice little Dorsoduro canal. It was about a 10 minute walk to St. Mark's. =)

Good luck! -- h.

Ali25

I'm topping this - since we never did take this trip last year...it was vetoed and we did a long Stateside trip instead. We do plan to go now in September and I still have the same desire for a great hotel or B & B with a great balcony with a great view. Is the Grand Canal the best option or are the smaller ones simply more romantic? We would like to keep it not too expensive or glitzy, yet rather boutiquey and classy. Help?

almesq

We stayed at Palazzo Sant'Angelo and really enjoyed it. Small luxury hotel, about 14 rooms I belive, and for a bit extra each night you can select a canal view room--has a balcony right on the Grand Canal. You say "not too expensive," but that is very subjective, so don't know if this is in the range you are willing to pay, but you should check it out. It is not "cheap," but certainly not as much as some of the very expensive hotels there.

almesq

I meant to post a link to hotel--here it is:

http://palazzosantangelo.com/

nessundorma

Everyone I know who has stayed overlooking the Grand Canal has complained of the noise, and some complain of the gas fumes from the Vaporetto. A small quiet canal is far more romantic. Venice is at its best in tucked away corners.

Ali25

Beautiful website from Almesq...but out of our budget this time since we travel so much. Also, thanks for the suggestion about the peace and quiet of the smaller canals. Has anyone stayed at either La Calcina or American Dinesen or Villa Igea?

marcy_

We stayed at Ca'Angeli last September and loved it. It's a small hotel- they actually call themselves a B&B, right on the Grand Canal. No problem at all with noise or fumes.

http://www.caangeli.it/

It's in a great location in San Polo and the staff are very nice and helpful. You have to pay in cash, which I thought was a little weird, but not really a problem. They only have 4 or 5 rooms.

We were celebrating our anniversary and had the largest and most expensive room with a great canal view, but even if you stay in one of the other rooms without a view from the room you can sit in the balcony/windowseat in the sitting room and enjoy the canal view.

Our friends who were travelling with us had a smaller room upstairs that had a charming terrace with a partial canal view (more of a canal "glimpse&quot, and it was nice, too.

I highly recommend this place- very romantic!

tuscanlifeedit

I have posted many times about the Hotel Ala and the canal side rooms with small balconies. These overlook a side canal where the singing gondola ours go by each afternoon. I think it is majical. These rooms are about the best bargain I know of. Those that have followed my suggestion and had one of these rooms agree with me. You have to ask the hotel directly for the rate.

http://www.hotelala.it/

tuscanlifeedit

sorry... that should have been singing gondola TOURS...

welltraveledbrit

The American hotel has a lovely location (Dorsoduro)in a fairly quiet area near the Guggenheim museum, But you will have to book ahead for the balcony rooms.

franco

I'm sorry that I'm posting it twice a day already, but nobody seems to read other people's threads here: if you don't mind to take breakfast at the nearest coffee bar (as every Italian would do), you might try www.rosadivenezia.com, which is a self-catering apartment having a balcony with a truly stunning view on a small canal - and it's merely two minutes walking from St. Mark's square. The price is 160 Euros per night, which is more than fair, I think, and the furnishing of the apartment is so very beautiful that it would suit your desire for romance quite perfectly. Me and my wife, at least, we love it!

worldinabag

Ciao

What about this joint - http://www.hotelsantachiara.it. Otherwise this apartment - http://www.wenicevenice.it/venice-lodging.htm. Yes Franco I have found The Rosa too and couldn't agree with you more - thanks for sharing. I haven't stayed there but it looks like a great deal and definitely on my "shopping list" should I return to Venice

Saluti

enzian

Thank you--I have to mark this one.

Amart

We loved the room behind the check in desk at http://www.locandalevele.com/. It was huge, had a tiny balcony and a small canal and a tiny bath. The service was wonderful.