I'd love to hear your thoughts regarding what is the best location for a stay in Venice. We're looking for a hotel in a good location for our trip in October. We'd like to spend around $150 USD per night. This board has been helpful assisting us in narrowing down our location for Rome (near the Pantheon). Now we're on to Venice! Thanks.

Venice isn't all that big, so there's no really terrible location in terms of getting around. However, for me, the area right around P. San Marco and the Rialto bridge area are a bit too crowded. The west end of the city,where the car park and train station are located, is a bit far from the major sights, and tend to be overrun with daytrippers and some of the least desireable shops and restaurants. Again, nothing terrible about these locations, just my personal preference. Other folks love being in the middle of the action around P. San Marco, or near the train station because of the convenience for arrival and departure days.

Of course, I'm assuming you are looking for a place in the old city, and not Venice Mestre, the Lido, or one of the other lagoon islands like Murano.

IMO, the BEST location is anywhere you can find, afford &amp; have confirmed a <b>canal view room</b>. Doesn't have to be the Grand Canal, in fact might be better, quieter, more charming not to be on the Grand C. Also I think depends on what day of week (I'd hate being near S Marco on a weekend when it's most crowded).

There are lots of previous threads with names/suggestions. Dorsoduro is a popular sestierri (sp?-means area)b/c it's near the center but not right IN the center. La Calcina is a favorite hotel in this area on the Guidecca Canal. I stayed at the Pensione Accademia (also a favorite) which is on a small canal that meets the Grand.

Hi
As an alternate viewppoint, I love being located in the San Marco area just because it is more central. It's true that budget choices are fewer in that area, and you can't go wrong almost anywhere in Venice.

Do a search here on Venice Hotel, and also browse through www.venere.it

I personally don't care that much about a canal view, especially if budget is an issue, there are other priorities that I'd put ahead of that.

I like the area right smack in the geographic center. I don't care so much for the area around S. Marco and the Rialto just because it's so busy, and I wouldn't pick the area right around the train station because IMO it's not as personable as other areas. Having said that, I'd probably be happy anywhere in Venice, but I prefer to be in a quiet area with narrow alleyways and canals all around.

I like the area facing the Guidecca canal. Just a few minutes back over the Accademia bridge to San Marco but not so terribly busy as there or Rialto areas. Try Pensione La Calcina, depending on season and room type within your budget. www.lacalcina.com

A canal view (whether Grand Canal, Giudecca or a side canal) is important to me for Venice. I stayed at the Hotel Accademia in Dorsodoru and loved it (quirky, though) and the area. Agree with Rufus that Piazza San Marco and the Rialto Bridge area is not for me, and would love to stay at the Pensione La Calcina next time. I also stayed at a small pension in western San Polo and while I liked the sestiere for its more working class feel, the place was a dump and I still kick myself for not paying the extra E15 a night. Many posters have good things to say about Cannaregio as well. Cheers, Linda

Linda, what was the dump hotel? If it was only &euro; 15 less than LaCalcina, you have a right to be cheesed as that's still not all that cheap.

I just returned from my first visit to Venice a week ago and I appreciated staying in a hotel close to the Rialto bridge. When I got lost in Venice (which inevitably happens, but is fun), I always eventually found signs pointing the way to Rialto, so I could easily find my way back to the hotel. I also found it to be very convenient. It was also very easy to get to St. Marks Square and anywhere up and down the grand canal.
Martha

Martha's tip is a good one and applies to other major landmarks. Look at the corner of buildings and you'll see painted arrows pointing the way to San Marco square, Rialto bridge, Academia bridge... so if you know one closest to your hotel, it can help you find your way back!

San Marco id a good area if you like to stay late and listen to the music - they play until 11 p.m. or so.

We love to stay in the Cannaregio and stayed at La Forcola the last time we were in Venice and will be staying there again when we return next week (I can hardly wait!). It is a good location to explore the areas away from Rialto but still close enough to Rialto to be among the throngs if you should so choose. Personally, any area of Venice is wonderful and I don't think you can really go wrong. You will love Venice. Jackie

I like the Dorsoduro area. Quick trip across the bridge and you're almost at San Marco square. Quieter too. Agree with Suze on the Guidecca Canal suggestion.

Your posts have been incredibly helpful, all. I'm sure I'll have many more questions later in the process, but this is a wonderful start. Thank you!

Sue xx yy: a little late in replying but the dump we stayed at was the Hotel Locanda Salieri in Santa Croce. I remember it as E80/night and we paid E95/night at the wonderful Hotel Galleria in Dorsoduro (NOT the Hotel Accademia as I previously said - no brain that day). I see the Hotel La
Calcina shows E 160 - 182 for high season for a double room with view, and unfortunately that is right out of our budget. Ah, well. Cheers, Linda

I liked the Cannareggio area. Our B&amp;B (Locanda C&agrave; Le Vele) was in a perfect location on a very quiet narrow street, and yet very close to Rialto Bridge. Our room had canal view (small canal) which wasn't that important to us.