What does your experience inform? The hotels many posters recommended are all over many sections of Venice as Cannaregio, S. Croce, S. Polo, Dorsoduro and S. Marco, closest to Pizza S. Marco. We'd like to walk around (can also take water taxi, vaporetto)but should I be concerned in taking a place close to Piazza S. Marco or Rialto Bridge? Just how far is each area walking to Piazza S. Marco? Does it really matter? I think Cannaragio seems furthest so I would eliminate that. What area is your suggestion?

Thank you for any help in making my hotel decision. Debbie

> Does it really matter? <

NO. (IMHO)

I don't think it matters that much where you stay in Venice. Well, I'd have second thoughts about the Giudecca. But the town's not that big and we prefer to be away from the Piazza San Marco and the Rialto, as these areas can get very crowded with tourists.

Walking around Venice is its greatest pleasure. That said, look into taking traghettos as well as vaporettos and taxis. Traghetti are gondola ferries that cross the canals at certain strategic locations. A good map of Venice will have these crossings. And traghetti are very cheap.

I like the Dorsoduro. It is close enough to central places, but a bit quieter and less crowded along the Guidecca canal near the Accademia bridge. Easy to get to by vaporetto.

We are trying to narrow down hotels and best deal so far is,"Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo" at 2063 S.Croce. Good area with not too much noise?

I thought the south (Guidecca) side of Dorsoduro felt isolated in November, and dead after dark. It takes a while to get anywhere from the Zattere vaporetto stop - especially if you want to go to Murano and Burano. But if I hadn't been limping I might have been more inclined to walk to the north side and the Accademia stop.

ciaodeb, Please stop SCREAMING in your titles.

I also prefer Dorsoduro and would not enjoy being too close to San Marco but this is just a personal choice. I stayed in Pensione Academia for one trip and liked it very much.

All the areas that are truly Venice should be OK -the choice of hotel is more important unless you have limited mobility - since Venice is quite small. Do NOT go for the Lido or Mestre

I think Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo is perfectly located for being very accessible yet very quiet. It is just steps from a vaporetto stop--San Stae--no need to cross even one bridge to get in the side door. It is a seven-minute walk from Rialto, but the last four minutes of the walk are along quiet, unpopulated streets--extremely quiet. There are a number of good, simple, reasonably priced restaurants nearby as well as a few well-known and pricier choices. I've visited Venice ten times and stayed in a number of areas. After my trip in 2006 when I stayed at this hotel, I was sure I'd found my perfect mix of all my desires.

We stayed near the Rialto bridge in August 06. The area was busy, but that gave it a good vibe at night. There were plenty of restaurants around the area and you could stand on the bridge at dusk watching the gondolas float by.

We walked all around Venice without any problems, including to St Marks Square and to the area where the vaporetto leave for Murano and Burano.

I wouldn't hesitate to stay in that area again, just not in the hotel we stayed in (Hotel Graspo de Ua - not recommended).

I wouldn't suggest staying near St Marks as it is very busy with day trippers and probably priced accordingly.

I love, love, love Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo. Stayed there 2 nights last year and am going back in May staying there again.

I think the location is excellent in that it is so close to the San Stae vaperetto and in a neighborhood that feels real, not super packed with tourists. I think being there added to my love of Venice.

Sandro and Walter are excellent hosts and happy to make dinner reservations, sugggestions on sights to see, etc.

I highly recommend staying there.

Kathy

To all the folks who mentioned Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo, we will be booking with them as soon as we decide on exact dates. Walter and Sandro have been efficent in writing to me, giving me great price and seem very nice. It is great to know you all enjoyed it, and would go back! Thank you, it gives me a good feeling about booking this hotel.