Ctkathy – How unfortunate, sorry you had that happen; I don’t suppose the hotel lowered the rates, did they?

Amy – I’m just about to reserve my hotel. Would you mind saying which hotel you’re referring to—I might like to avoid it?

Betsys – The Accademia is one I’m looking at. Would you stay there again? What canal is that hotel on? Thanks.

Just back from Venice too. Had a canal view, but I was on the second floor. There was a bridge over the canal right out our window so if the window was open, people crossing the bridge were at eye level. The noise on the canal (walkers not boaters) lasted until about 9pm, not too bad. Was nice seeing the gondoliers every nite. Out room was tiny though so there was no sitting at the window.

By the by, instead of taking the free one-way water taxi ride to Murano, get yourself a water bus ticket for the day. That way you can look at the glass blowing without feeling you owe them anything. Kinda felt we were at a TimeShare presentation.

Jim

Thanks, Jim. I'll do that - about the ticket. May I ask what hotel you stayed in? Did you like it, other than being eye level with the tourists?

We were at the Pensione Accademia in March, with a nice large corner room overlooking the canal (not the Grand Canal, of course, but whatever canal the Accademia is on). Ahh . . magic!

Until, unfortunately, the construction crews working on the building on the other side of the canal arrived at about 6 AM, followed shortly by the honey barge, which began pumping out the septic tank of another building across the canal. And that's a busy area as well, so there was a good bit of noisy foot traffic late into the evening. I doubt that's a typical canal-view experience, but it was enough so we'll make sure there's no canal view in our future next time.

FlyFish--research your future non-canal view hotel well.

There can actually be construction and noise at hotels that are no where near a canal--even at hotels in cities that have no canals at all.

Yes, of course, Rufus - but if you think about it the canals in Venice are, in effect, the equivalent of major roads other areas, so necessarily have a bit more activity than non-canal areas. And I don't think you're likely to find a 60' sewage barge too far away from a canal anywhere.

Yes, of course FlyFish, but that doesn't make a noisy non-canal city hotel any less noisy.

JES - wanted to let you know that we booked the Lisbona - with canal view. Thanks to everyone for input.

VENICE...if you can afford it yes, do you want the noise, with the beautiful view, YES..if you go once in your life to Venice YES>>>30 euros is not much. and nothing compares to this Venice, experience...to look at the water...

Maire,
Please let me know how you like it when you return!

Rooms over canals are nice. Just remember...no screens on windows. We had a canal view--and mosquitos at night. This may or may not be common, but that was irrelevant to us. We did a lot of swatting.

Maire: sorry I've been away. See you have booked the Lisbona. Probably great. Accademia is at junction of Grand Canal, and San Trovaso Canal. All too beautiful to forget. You will love it all.

Marie
Go for the canal. I am usually one to try to save the money because you are not in the room much. But not in Venice. We have stayed at the Hotel Galleria 2 times and love sitting in our room, having a coffee or wine and watching all the action on the Grand Canal.A bonus was when the weather was not so great, we were in the comfort of our room still enjoying Venice. Of course we love to roam, but more than anywhere else, we just love staying on the Grand Canal.

I'm by no means implying anything about this particular hotel, but I think some of you should see what a "canal view" gets you at this particular one: a view of the hotel next door and if you look straight down, a bunch of gondolas. I stayed nearby and this is the only side with "canal view". It's not really what you expect.

http://www.veniceby.com/violinodoro/...nodoro_4_s.jpg

Maire,
Just wondering if you're back and how you like the Lisbona?
JES:)

Hi JES - we haven't left yet. We leave in 33 days. Yikes! I am soooooo not ready. Thanks for asking; I'll let you know when we return. :)

Make sure there isn't a vaporetto dock in front of your room or you won't get any sleep..

Lucky you...I just got back from my trip (so I don't get to look forward to it anymore)!
Have a great time:)

I have read all the replys , but no one has answerd a questions I have .
What time of year -- no one stated Iwill be going the last of MAY-IS IT COLD COOL
are there crowds at that time --is june better?
I have a wish before I die (im84) to go to VENICE (I have been twice )ON TOURS spent 4 hours in total .
I wish to go and wander around perhaps sit on a bacony or window with a view
for a week .

jp, I didn't see your original questions.
I should think May would be a very nice time to go to Venice--not too hot or crowded but a nice temperature. Toward the end of May, would be a little safer with the weather.