dosu

First time to Venice will be at the end of October. I'm considering two hotels. Which location do you think would be better. Awaiting reply on availability at La Calcina, so I hope San Croce is a good location.

Ca' Bonvicini (San Croce?)
http://www.cabonvicini.com/eng/location.html

La Calcina(On the Giudecca canal)
http://www.lacalcina.com/HTML/en/cal...azione_en.html

Thanks so much

PalenQ

?

Ralphie

I personally prefer the location of the Calcina..however, as it appears to be right on the Guidecca canal, you might want to research to see how prominent the noise from vaporetti would be early in the morning. I've never stayed in a room so close to a major canal but I've read reviews from those who were awakened very early every morning by the noise from the boat engines.

Mimar

La Calcina is on the Giudecca canal but I'd say it was in Dorsoduro. La Giudecca is another separate island.

Either of these locations is good.

dosu

Thanks Ralphie/Mimar... good point, i will check on the noise factor.
Since we will be there just two nights, I'm trying to figure the ease of getting to and from the train station and also getting to the 'main' areas of Venice to see the sights and shop. Do you know if there is shopping, restaurants and sights within easy walk of each?
PalenQ-not sure what your question is

bardo1

You can get to the 'main' areas of Venice to see the sights and shop equally well from either hotel.

I think La Calcina is much easier to get to from the train station because it's right down the Fondamenta from the Zattere vaporetto stop. I can easily imaging getting lost trying to find Ca' Bonvicini.

kappa

I think PalenQ just topped this thread for you, perhaps because he had no answer for your question but since he opened this thread.

I am more familiar with the Calcina location. I did stay there 2 nights about 5 years ago and passed by there lots of times even when I was staying elsewhere (been to Venice about 10 times in last 6 years). Giudecca view from the room was very nice. Noise was not a problem but amusing to see a huge cruise ship (linking Venice and some Greek destination?) passed in front the hotel at 6.00 am. Much less familiar with the other location near St.Stae vaporetto stop. I have nothing bad to say about it. But La Calcina would be much easier to locate when you arrive in Venice than the other. You can see the hotel even from the vaporetto on Guidecca Canal, a rose colored building with a floating terrace in front.

You can get from either hotel to main shopping areas between San Marco and Rialto in about 10 minute walk.

La Calcina rooms were rustic and plain with bare wood furniture. That's their style at least when I stayed there. The other one's look, from its site site, much more fancier, if that's important to you.

dosu

Thanks Kappa... now I understand PalenQ's post!!(Thank you PalenQ)
The Calcina rooms don't have the 'venetian' decor, but appear a bit nicer than 'rustic' on there website. I actually prefer the simpler decor at Calcina. Room #2 is the one I'm hoping to get. It has two corner windows with balcony on the canal. It wasn't available on my first choice dates, so I'm switching things around a bit. As you say, getting there will be easier too, as Ca' Bonvicini has a few bridges to maneuver to get there.
If Calcina is not available, how far am I

dosu

oops.. posted to soon!
I was asking.. If the Calcina is not available, what is around the area where Ca' Bonvicini is? and how far is it to some good areas to shop and restaurants. Just don't want to be too far.
thanks all.

Zerlina

Santa Croce, where the Bonvicini is, is one of the less touristed areas of Venice - fewer shops, fewer restaurants.

dejafaux

We stayed 1 block off San Marco square and it was very quiet there, at the Villa Igea. Personally, when I return to Venice, we will stay off the beaten path as much as thats possible. The tourists and vaporettos are up very early in the AM, as was stated already. The grand canal was closed very close to the train termimal and our taxi had to take us through little winding canals to get us there, it was a traffic jam of taxis and boats, Im sure the people staying on that canal were not very happy that day....

bardo1

You will not be "too far" from anything. Venice is not that big.

The Bonvicini is about 1/4 mile walk to the Rialto Bridge and then about 1/4 mile from the Rialto to St. Marks Square.

The San Stae vaporetto stop (which takes you anywhere in Venice) appears to be about a 5 minute walk from the Bonvicini hotel

DinPa

Stayed at La Calcina in May. No noise from any vaporettos. A beautiful location, many restaurants right down the Zattere. Away from the crowds, but very close to everything.

dosu

It appears La Calcina isn't available. I was looking at the Hotel Becher which seemed more central. But if it's just 1/4 mile to get to Rialto Bridge.... looks farther. Just seems that each time we leave the hotel we'd have to go up to San Stae to go anywhere, especially if there are few restaurants and shops in the area. I'll see what hotel Becher comes back with. The price will certainly be higher. As Ca' Bonvicini was very well priced at 145E with a canal view and balcony.
Thanks for all replies.

rialtogrl

Dosu, go with the Ca' Bonvicini. That is a cool neighborhood. From there you can walk into Campo San Polo in seconds, and that is a good landmark (especially if you get lost - it's pretty easy to find as it's a big campo.) While that looks to be a very quiet street, once you get your bearings, you'll be able to get into the Rialto area within just a few minutes and there are lots of shops and restaurants there.

It's also pretty central - not exactly close to Piazza San Marco, but good to check out other parts of the city.

Have fun!

dosu

thanks, rialtogrl, makes me feel a bit better and i'm tired of searching for hotels
by the time i get my bearings i will be leaving!!only two nights, working on adding another day.
thanks for the help.

bfrac

We stayed in the Santa Croce area last year and liked it very much because it was quiet at night, so I would vote for the Ca'Bonvicini. I agree with rialtogirl about the neighborhood and everything is close or only a vaporetto ride away.

dosu

thank you all, i'm booked at Ca Bonvicini!