I am trying to decide between the Hotel Metropole (Pricey); Hotel Bisanzio and Hotel Rialto. What would you suggest?<BR>Thanks.

Don't know the 3 you asked about but look at Pensione La Calcina. www.lacalcina.com. It was high recommended to me by European friends and I've stayed there twice. Lovely little place. On the Guidecca canal, Zaterre vaporetto stop, near L'Academia bridge, about 10-15 mins. walk from San Marcos. Out of the hub-bub but near to everything central. It's truly a hidden gem.

I have stayed at Hotel Rialto twice, mainly because they were about the only hotel I could find that guaranteed me a Grand Canal front room with a balcony. This was especially appreciated because they only have three of those. Both rooms we had there were very nice, the second one was nearly twice the size of the first and more like a junior suite with a huge seating area at the balcony end -- but it was the same price as the other one. Go figure. Maybe it was because that time we rented two balcony rooms on the canal.

Wanda, from what I've read, and seen of the Metropole, they're not all in the same league. The Bisanzio especially has had many favorable comments here i the past (you can do a search to read the specifics) but <BR>the Metropole really would be in a higher category--more luxury. Hence the price difference. Whether it's "worth it" is up to you and your budget.

Wanda---I'll agree with Elaine's comment regarding the quality level of these hotels. I have stayed at the Metropole several times over the years, most recently 2001, and at other places such as Paganelli and Flora. The Metropole is indeed a step up in luxury, service, and quality in every aspect, and the price reflects that. But it doesn't mean that the Bisanzio or Rialto aren't nice hotels. Elaine has it right when she says you have to decide what it's worth to you personally. Having stayed there, I have to say that the higher price for the Metropole, in spite of its overall appeal, isn't worth it to me. I stay there because my wife won't stay anywhere else. Given my choice, I'd stay somewhere at half the price. If I sound like a traitor to the Metropole for the sake of my wife, so be it. I prefer a happy marriage to a different hotel. Enjoy your trip regardless of what you select; I think you'll be happy with any of these hotels you named unless you are a picky person.

Have stayed at both the Bisanzio and the Metrople. We;re going back to the Metrople this fall.... but then we're old geezers now and like our comforts.If cost makes a difference, go with the Bisanzio. It's a nice hotel, good service. We like that neighborhood, so have enjoyed our stays at both Bisanzio and Metropole.