I have always thought getting a Canal-view room would be as important as getting an ocean-view room at the beach. <BR> <BR>However, my budget of $150/night isn't coming up with anything with a view (Even in low-season November!) <BR> <BR>So, I ask, is it really that important to have the view or should I settle for "just a hotel"? Or does anybody have a recommendation of a $150 room with a view? <BR> <BR>Thanks, <BR>Scott

Scott: I posted my 2 cents worth of opinion to your same question on the Italy forum. You'll have to go there to read it. Some of us are trying to make this new format work. Don't let the boycott bullies tell you where to post.

Scott, my wife and I just got back from Venice. We had a great room right on the Grand Canal, we could almost touch the boats from our window - the price in US dollars - about $85 including a breakfast brought to the room. The hotel was the Galleria right near the Academia bridge. With the strength of the US dollar, good buys are easy to find. Is a canal view a must? Probably not, Venice is beautiful nearly anywhere, But if you want a canal view, finding a hotel under $100 shouldn't be too hard.

I have a question about "2 cents worth of opinion". What it means? I'm not from the USA and have seen that on some other message boards. <BR>Thanks <BR> <BR>

Hi, Jonas, slang expressions can be confusing, can't they? <BR>Americans use the expression "2 cents worth" I believe to mean: here's my personal opinion (even if you didn't ask for it), and you decide how valuable it is. (2 cents being either a great bargain if it's good info or being almost worthless if you disagree with it!) <BR>Hope my version helps.

Thanks a lot Ann . I understand it now. <BR>I have waited to see if anyone will answer, and now I can go to bed. It's 3.30AM here!

Scott- <BR>Lucky you, heading to my favorite city in the world! <BR>I really don't think it's necessary to have a canal view. The last place you want to be in Venice is in your hotel room. Wandering around, getting lost in the maze of streets and canals will be what you want to do there. Last year we stayed at Pensione Calcina and thought it a great choice...would definitely stay there again. There was another that we really liked that we would consider staying at next time and I think the name was Pension Accademia or Hotel Accademia, something along those lines. Have a wonderful time!

Right name is Pensione Accademia, Dorsoduro 1058, 30123 Venezia, tel 39 0415210188 fax 39 0415239152. Website <BR>http://www.pensioneaccademia.it and email: [email protected] <BR>Nice place, lots of recomendations here in the forum. Good luck.

Hi Scott; We had a "canal view" room in Venice. We didn't ask for,just ended up in one. Yes it was nice, but not really necessary. I certainly wouldn't pay a premium for it. Enjoy Venice!!!...Paul J

We stayed in a fantastic hotel in Venice, at least we found it delightful. It was right off St. Marks Sq. No canal view, tiny rooms, and noisy, but it was under $100.00 per night and the staff was great, and it had a great view of the roof tops of Venice, now, I don't think our hotel would be to everyone's taste, but the sound of late night singers staggering home, and the sunlight on the rooftops was magic for us, plus you certainly couldn't beat the price. It was called Hotel Ai Do Mori, and like I said, for us it was wonderful!

Dear Scott, <BR>When I was in Venice, I found that I sort of "overloaded" on scenery after a while and was sort of glad to boat back over to our hotel on Lido - not a canal in sight. Is this the architectural equivalent of Stendahl syndrome, where you overload on art? <BR>Depending on the weather, it may be too cold to be too close to the windows, maybe you can save money by not having a canal view, and not feel too deprived because you would not have been able to use it anyhow! <BR>Either way, you'll love Venice - it's a magical, beautiful place.

Above posters are correct: Canal view not that big a deal in Venice. Just get a nice hotel and sleep there. Spend your waking hours enjoying the city and out of your hotel. Some canal views are also noisy views early in the morning. We enjoy the Al Gambero hotel in Venice. It does have some rooms overlooking a canal, but the rooms are nice and reasonably priced. Email me if you need additional info.

janice, where on the Lido did you stay? <BR>Tell me more! My hubby insists on staying there!Thanks

A friend stayed at the Locanda Sturion in Venice and like it. She didn't offer the rates, but she doesn't usually spend a great deal on lodging. It is close to the Rialto and has canal views of the Grand Canal. <BR> <BR>The hotel's Internet site is http://www.sayville.com/sturionus.html.

I'm interested in knowing more about the hotel in Lido someone posted about. Can you send me more information? <BR> <BR>Thanks!

The Pensione Accademia does afford some great views of the canal and the hotel’s garden down below. But it’s a tough booking — you better call well in advance of your trip. One caveat: You might be awakened earlier than you want by the sound of the canal traffic.

We stayed at a small hotel, hotel gallini on a smaller canal. It was very clean and nice. It is not necessary, however it sure is nice!!

Scott: I've stayed on the canal and off the canal and liked each just as much as the other, but my husband loves being on the canal. We are going in November, also, with two couples who have never been, so we are staying on the canal. The only trouble is I don't get as much sleep on the canal--not because of the noise--but because I just want to sit there and watch all night! Try Locanda Leon Bianco; it is on the canal and, with current exchange rates, about $96 per night. It is a small 3 star and very nice with antiques and new bathrooms and breakfast in your room--about 6 or 7 rooms. It is close to the Rialto; in fact, we could see it from our room. We use a water taxi (it is just as cheap, if you have 6 or more people), and the hotel has its own canal entrance.

I agree with whoever said that a canal view isn't necessary, because you're not in Venice for the hotel, are you? (actually I'm not big on hotel-views anywhere) <BR> <BR>An aside: do you think holidaying Venetians ask for a road-side view? hehe

This reminds me of the TI in York. The couple ahead of us wanted a hotel room 'inside the walls' for under 100gbp. Because they would not stay 'outside the walls' they ended up paying 160gbp. Being cheapskates we stayed 6 blocks 'outside the walls' along the river walk for 44gbp with onsuite. The difference buys a lot of pints in the local pub, or in Venice glasses of vino on the terazza.