Amy-is right- all "canal views" in Venice are certainly not equal, nor are all worth paying extra for by any means. There are some canal view rooms that are tremendous-like the one at Pensione Accademia, among many others-you just have to check out the websites carefully, and then inquire of the hotel whether you'll get the same view or one very similar to the one shown on the website. Otherwise, I don't think it's worth the extra expenditure.

Since I only stay in apartments in Venice now, it's less important for me to have a canal view (and in Venice, of course, the canals are never more than a few yards away from you, at any place you stay) than it is being in the center of a lively campo, where I can experience, and be a part of, authentic Venetian life.

We paid extra for a canal view on our recent trip, and loved it. We liked watching the gondoliers set up each day under our window, and liked watching the gondolas and other boats going by. See our photos at:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...&y=-jcjeim

(The photos from the Venice portion of the trip are towards the end. Move the arrow over the tiny thumbnails, and watch for St. Mark's Square to find the start of the Venice portion.)

Our trip report on Venice is at:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34821418

- Larry