I've actually seen lots of responses to these questions recently posted so I'm going to try again:
I've booked Corte Grimani but its too $$. Right now I'm looking at the accademia area primarily, with some locations in the San Marco area close to Accademia. The specific properties I'm interested in are San Vio through LuxRest and Apartment Pisani through Veniceapartments.com. We are a fam of 4-our children will be 4 and 18 months and we'd like to be central but also not in the midst of the madness (hence the Accademia). Any advice, personal experience with these properties etc is GREATLY appreciated. TIA.

If you're more specific about how much time you have, how much you want to spend, and what kind of accommodations you're looking for, you're likely to get some very good responses.

We've stayed at the Europa a block or two from San Marco...very close but very quiet, and had adjoining rooms. But it's a hotel, not an apartment. Ran about $100 Euros/night when we were there in 2003.

Jules

We had very good luck with this agency which has some lovely apartments, too.
http://www.venice-rentals.com/venice/index.html

You get better bang for the buck and better living conditions farther away from San Marco. You also get to live in neighborhoods where the remaining Venetians are, and where there are grocery stores, etc. Dorsoduro, Cannaregio, San Polo and Castello all get my vote over San Marco.

Its really easy to get around and the whole city is a wonderful work of art..

We have one week, we want to stay VERY the accademia area in the dorsodura. We dont want to spend more than 1200 E for that week. The more bedrooms (ie-2) the better. I've checked out basically every aprt. with every agency-just dont know which to choose and def want Accademia or close to via san marco.

Ani-I have an ex-pat friend in Venice who recommends Luxrest apartments and their owner highly. I looked at the San Vio apartment, it is VERY spacious-and very well located, I'm sure you'll be happy here.

However, the Apartment Pisani with (veniceapartments.org not .net, btw) would be my first choice BECAUSE it has that FABULOUS view of the Strada Nova-once you have an apartment that looks out on the heart of Venetian life in this location, it's difficult to want to stay anywhere. HOWEVER, you need to email them about how large the apt. is, as it does not give the square meters, AND it does not appear to have a/c-which if you are there in June, July would be a problem.

They are good about responding quickly, and I believe all charges, cleaning, etc. are included in the final price-but email them to be sure.

Thanks so much for the replies and opinions...very helpful. We'll be there at the end of March so no ac worries.

So I reserved Apartment Pisani through Veniceapartments.org BUT I was originally interested in the Apartment Pisani through Veniceapartments.com ( veniceapartment.com/pisani.htm )

Could anyone give me some advice? I was really wanting to stay somewhere with closer walking distance to San Marco, etc...as was the .com apart. HELP!!!

Here are the sites for both Apartment Pisani:
http://www.veniceapartments.org/html/pisani1.html
http://www.veniceapartment.com/pisani.htm

Personally I'd go for the veniceapartmants.com one. I think it's a better location for your needs.

ttt