Once we get off the water taxi, is there any option other than walking to get to our hotel with the luggage etc.

ALso Hotel Alpiava - anyone know how far from the water taxi this walk is? (the hotel says it is 5 minutes walk from San Marks square and the rialto bridge.

Walking is most likely your best option, but you should be able to get a porter to help you with your luggage.

Presume you mean the Al Piave Hotel ???

Directions (per website):
From the San Zaccaria Stop --- At San Zaccaria, by the Vaparetto (Water Bus Stop) is a street called Calle Delle Rasse. Proceed down that street To the end and turn left; then Turn immediately to the right. There is a Pharmacy at the corner. Proceed Ahead and cross the Bridge called 'Ponte Storto'. You will arrive at Ruga Griffia and The Hotel is on the left.

Since you appear to be budget minded, I wonder why you'd take a taxi. As I recall you're arriving by train. Take a vaparetto from the station to San Zaccaria stop. It is unlikely you'll find a porter in my experience and the taxi driver will not leave his boat to walk with you.

We stayed at the Al Piave last month. It is a 5 minute walk from the either the San Marco stop or Rialto. We only took 1 22" rolling bag each though so it wasn't bad. If you have a lot of luggage you may need to find a porter. Although it is an easy walk, there atr small bridges to cross and you have to go up and down the steps with your luggage. If you need a porter, you better go to the San Marco stop. There's a better chance of finding one there. Also... no elevator at the Al Piave so you will be carrying your stuff up the stairs there. Plan accordingly!

Deb

San Zaccaria is considered a San Marco stop. It's San Marco's Eastern stop. Vallaresso is San Marco's Western stop and, I believe it's the porter stop Deb intended to suggest. From my experience, one can only find porters at the Vallaresso stop. If they're not there when you arrive, wait a bit, because they may be on a run. Their English is decent and you can negotiate the price based on number of bags and distance to your hotel. I use these guys often. When stairs are involved, they're worth every Euro they ask for.

thanks all