ryokousha

For our 3 night trip to Venice in early May 2007, I am in the process of selecting our apartment for my family of 5 (2 adults and 3 kids) plus my single brother = 6 persons. Here are my options:

OPTION 1: TIEPOLO
http://www.veniceapartments.org/html/tiepolo1.html

Apartment in Castello area - for the price, canal view, comfortable living space: 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.


OPTION 2: GRITTI _ 210Euros more than Tiepolo for the 3 night stay.

http://www.veniceapartments.org/html/gritti1.html

Near Rialto. Beautiful grand canal view! And I love the main bedroom. This would have been my first choice but Tiepolo was much cheaper (210 Euros less) so it got bumped up to first choice. This apartment has only 1 bathroom and 2 bedrooms. The 3rd double bed is a sofa bed in the large living room which my 2 kids wouldn't mind using.

Please comment on location. Many have commented on the DORSODURO area to be their favorite but was unsuccessful in finding one in that area. Comments on the CASTELLO area? specifically the area where the TIEPOLI apartment is?

GOOD LOCATION for me would be in a quiet not so touristy area, but accessible to important sites and convenient to reasonable local restaurants, market and grocery. We plan to do a combination of dining out and preparing some quick meals in the apartment.

If the location of the GRITTI aparment is much better, would you pay the extra money for the location and the beautiful grand canal view??(I hope the view from the apartment is as good as it looks in the picture..)

Has anyone stayed in either of these apartments??

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Holly_uncasdewar

I'd go with the Tiepolo. It's considerably larger than the Gritti, plus it has a washing machine.

Bailey

Boy...I have a weakness for a gorgeous view....and the GRITTI sure has one in spades!!
You mention a 3 day stay...then you probably won't need to do any laundry.
Plus it's near one of my favorite restuarants....Antico Panificio.
BUT...it does have only one bathroom...............

ps...I didn't see a link that lists the price....do you mind sharing the rates with us?

mcnyc

Hm...this is a tough one. I like the rooms in the Tiepolo better, but the Gritti has a living room I'd love to spend a lot of time in.

However, I'd spend time in the Tiepolo just because you want more quiet and less touristy, and that's about as less touristy as you can get. Plus, it has 2 bathrooms. With 6 people, bathrooms would be my deciding factor.

BTW, what is the cost we're talking about here for each place?

ryokousha

Thank you all for the quick replies.
This board is addicting. It's so hard to get back to work when all I want to do is read and read from this board.

Apartment Gritti is 905+50 for 3 nights, Tiepolo is 696+40 for 3 nights. I just checked now and realized, Gritti has 2 bathrooms. 1 of them in the master's suite. Does that tip the scale??

Could you describe to me the area around the Tiepolo and around the Gritti? The location will be my main deciding point. I'm worried that the Tiepolo may be too "away from it all"? We would like to be in a local neighborhood, with local shops and markets but not too far from the attractions and restaurants/shops.

The Gritti is looking more and more attractive to me but the lower price (and 3 bedrooms) of Tiepolo holds me back. And Holly, thanks for that detail, I hadn't realized the Gritti had no washing machine. We may need one by the time we get to Venice.

Decisions.. decisions... I'm not complaining. It's a good problem

Bailey

Yes...the second bathroom makes it more attractive.
The area around Tiepolo is out of the stream of heavy tourist traffic.....but because it is...it will be a little walk to many of the things that you'd like to see. I also noted that it is on the 3rd floor...American 4th. So after the additional walk then you have the HIKE.
If you were staying for a longer period then I may be nice to settle into a quieter area.
I always love a room with a view....by the way the Grand Canal view is even more magical at night!!
Gritti is in San Polo one of MY favorite area of Venice...lots of restuarants & shops....churches....etc. And if you like you will be near the Rialto markets....but if you head the other direction you will find lovely peaceful campos.

Bailey

Some nighttime photos....
www.pbase.com/baileyzim/venice_after_dark

Quiz

Try www.vrbo.com I have had great luck with this site.

Holly_uncasdewar

Clarification: the Tiepolo is on the 2nd floor (U.S. 3rd). Not a bad hike.

BoniseA

The second bathroom in the Gritti, is a "service bathroom". What is a service bathroom? Could it mean it doen't have a shower or tub?

LAwoman

Thanks for posting these apartments, we will be needing one of this size in the future and these are good choices.

I don't think Tiepolo is that out of the way, you'd be in Piazza San Marco & Rialto in just a few minutes of walking. The area is definitely much quieter.

I think you should take Gritti, though, it's a knock out and you obviously love it. I've been looking at Venice Apts too and that's a good price for the location and decor. Your 3 nights will go fast; you probably won't be in the apt that much so space shouldn't be that much of an issue.

Youve checked to see if both are available? If one or both are already taken that will solve your problem.

TravelsWithStDavid

Fourteen of my family stayed at the Corte Grimani Apartment Hotel in August. We all thought it was a terrific find. They have several different types of apartments. It is on a small canal between the Rialto and San Marco and convenient to both. Our apartment had a huge bedroom with a king size bed and a pull out couch plus a bathroom. There was a living room with another pullout couch plus a kitchen and dining area and another bath with shower. Since there were just three of us, the rate was 200 Euros. My son and his wife had a similar apartment which they shared with their three children and paid 240 Euros. The staff were wonderful, there was an elevator and we were more than happy with our choice. They have a website, Venice Residence Corte Grimani.

Jan57

Wow! They both look lovely. The view from the Gritti apt. looks fabulous! Have you been to Venice before? On our family's first visit to Venice in June 2002, we stayed 2 nights right on the Grand Canal near the Rialto Bridge and the view was priceless. It did cost us 350 Euros per night (for a room for 4) but it was worth every penny. On our second visit to Venice in July 2005, we spent 4 nights and stayed at a cheaper, but very nice place, near the Rialto market. I guess we figured second time around we didn't need the grand view and we had a wonderful time.

If I did my math correctly, the more expensive apt. comes to around $318 per night which to me doesn't sound bad at all. I would probably go for the view. Good luck and have a great trip! Venice is magical!

ryokousha

Sorry I forgot to type the currency. Its 955 Euro for Gritti and 736 Euro for Tiepolo.

ryokousha

Thanks to everyone.
Bailey, WOW! wonderful photos! I'm going to go back to that site and look more closely later but from what I've already seen, WOW!

Bonise A, yes the second bathroom may not have a shower or tub. I don't know exactly what they mean by a "service bathroom". I'll try to ask.

LAwoman, I'm glad I inadvertently gave an apartment recommendation to someone. Yes, both are available at the moment but I probably need to make a decision soon..

Jan 57, we were in Venice 15 years ago on our honeymoon. We took a Globus Tour. And as tour groups go, we got in, saw the sights and left. So its technically going to be our first time to really stay in Venice and experience it all (with our 3 kids now).

I will advise everyone what we finally decide on. In the meantime, more comments and advise to further confuse me are still most welcome.

LAwoman

Ryokousha, whichever way you go, please let us know how the apt worked out for you when you come back, apt reviews are very helpful.

Christina

I'm just guessing, but from my experience in European hotels and apts., I'd guess that means a bathroom with only a sink and toilet. It sounds like it since it doesn't mention any tub or shower and they always did on other bathroom descriptions.

panecott

I think the view from the Gritti is worth the extra 210 Euros. There is only one Venice - you won't have too many views like that in your lifetime.

mcnyc

I just checked out both the Gritti and the Tiepolo again. Taking into consideration the price, I would totally go with the Gritti! I have to agree with all that the view of the Grand Canal at night is magical, and it would be wonderful to see that outside your very own space!

I looked at the bathroom pictures posted on the Gritti, and it looks like 2 full bathrooms (in the American sense, with bathtub, toilet and sink).

At approximately €318/night for your entire family, I think the Gritti is a winner in this case.

Julie_Hurst

Don't know if this will help, but we are staying in an apartment owned by the Pensione Guerrato (which is actually a hotel); the apartment is called Piccalo Guerrato; 2 bedrooms, 1 bath. The hotel says a laundry is nearby. The apartment is located between the Rialto & San Marco; easy access to everything. We are paying 170 euros per night; definitely a good price, IMO. We have use of the hotel, staff, & comp breakfast. The hotel is located in San Polo by the market.

pensioneguerrato.it is the website.

Good luck & have a wonderful trip.
Julie