We are scheduled for a trip to Italy April/May 2011, and I have been researching, researching, researching to the point of being overwhelmed. I will post again later with some itinerary questions, but for now I believe we have decided to fly from San Francisco to Venice first. Our budget is about $250 or so per night, knowing that we will likely need to pay more in Venice. So far, we have found availability at 3 places:
*Pension La Calcina
*La Villeggiatura
*Locanda Ca'Zose
Our priorities are clean, comfortable, quiet - a place with good sleeping, and yet a little charm is nice, also. The cost of the first 2 are the same; the last is less expensive.
Has anyone stayed in these? Any thoughts?
I was guessing that the Dorsoduro might be a calmer, quieter place to stay.
I have also written to Hotel al Ponte Mocenigo but have not had a response.
Any other suggestions? We don't want to splurge too wildly because we hope to have 18 days in Italy. Thank you, Fodorites, for any assistance.

This may help:

BOB’S FAVORITE HOTELS IN VENICE:

BEST MID-RANGE 3 STAR HOTELS: Prices will vary from 140 to 250E

• www.locandaorseolo.com Rave reviews in good location

• www.lacalcina.com Popular hotel in Dorsoduro on Zattere

• www.pensioneaccademia.it A Venice standard on Grand Canal

• www.cadeidogi.it Small hotel in Castello with decent prices

• www.cortegrimani.com Diverse family apts. in good location

SMALL B&Bs: PRICES VARY FROM 100E TO 220E AND BY SEASON

• www.corte1321.com Helpful hosts in San Polo area

• http://www.alpontemocenigo.com/en/index.htm A real gem in a real part of Venice that is off-the path

• www.guesthouse.it Great value but not my favorite location

NICER 4 STAR HOTELS: prices range from 250 to 500E—vary by season

• www.ponteantico.com Lovely new place at Rialto on Grand Canal

• www.capisanihotel.it/ Boutique hotel near Accademia Bridge

• www.liassidpalacehotel.com Lovely amenities in Castello

• http://hotel-venezia-metropole.com/ Fabulous location but pricey

WILD CARD OPTIONS: Hotel & apartment options with good prices:

• www.hotelmessner.it Well priced rooms & apts. in Dorsoduro

• http://www.palazzettodaschio.it/ Apts. in a real 16th century villa

• http://www.hotelriva.it/ Small budget hotel in great location-120E

Thanks, bob! Have you actually stayed in any of these? We are looking at nonview rooms at La Calcina to keep cost down and perhaps have a quieter room location. Do you have any details to give?

We stayed at the Hotel al ponte
mocenigo a few years ago and loved it. Truly is a gem. The breakfast is served out in the courtyard, weather permitting. We would definitely go back.

We also stayed at Al Ponte Mocenigo in 2008 and really liked. Very helpful staff and we also enjoyed breakfast in the courtyard. We would definitely stay there again. It's quiet and only about 100m to a vaporetto stop.

It close enough to the train station that we could walk there when our time in Venice was finished.

We have been staying in apartments in Venice for a number of years and truly enjoy the experience much more than a hotel.

Lately we have used the folks with good luck: www.veniceapartments.org

These people also get good reviews: www.viewsonvenice.com

There are usually three night minimums.

Al Ponte Mocenigo has not yet responded to my email, so perhaps they do not have availability. Thank you all for your recommendations. Please continue!

I was thinking that for our first time in Venice (and we do not speak Italian), we may need the assistance of the hotel staff so hadn't considered an apartment.

We have stayed in apt. for a week each our last 2 trips. I have had family and clients stay in many on my list.

Heer is a Venice slide show you may enjoy.

http://tripwow.tripadvisor.com/tripw...3-3c54-f932?lb

Inspiring photos, bobthenavigator; thanks. Also appreciate your list of hotels, which I am viewing in detail. No vacancy for al Ponte Mocenigo, unfortunately. And emailing hotels back and forth seems to take quite a bit of time due to the 10 hr. time difference.

We stayed at La Calcina a few years ago, albeit in a room with a view - the view was incredible, as was having breakfast every morning outdoors on their floating dock.

Thanks, socaltraveler. Would love to have that incredible view but we are tightening that budget so we can see more of Italy! I haven't been able to get their reservation link to work in the last 5 days and the regular email process is slooowwwww...Do you think we'd be able to eat outdoors end of April/early May?

We stayed at Locanda Orseolo two years ago - highly recommend this lovely, friendly place.

Love La Calcina. We've often had better luck faxing or just phoning rather than e-mailing.

Here's another option, in a different area of the city. Usually we like to stay in the Cannaregio, but on our last trip, we wanted to be closer to San Marco (we like to go there just about every night, to enjoy the music and people-watch). We found Casa Santa Maria Formosa, which is just off the campo of the same name. The room was nice, the building charming, and the staff very helpful. On the weekend, with the windows open, there was some noise from the campo, but it was quiet the other nights. Campo Santa Maria Formosa seemed to have a lot of locals there in the evenings, at the cafes and just chatting while watching their children pay. Our room, a triple with a partial canal view, was 199 Euros/night, so I would guess that other rooms would be within your budget.

We stayed at the Hotel Bel Sito a few years ago and loved it. It is a small hotel - no elevator but cute rooms that face a church - we had angels outside our room.

http://www.hotelbelsitovenezia.it/eng/index.aspx

It is close to a vaporetto stop which is always nice and very easy to get to San Marco and other areas you will want to visit.

Just back from Venice Saturday and stayed at

http://www.capagan.com/ based on location and tripadvisor

reviews. Rooms are small, no view at all, but spotless and very interesting. And remember this is Venice and nothing is inexpensive or large. Is very quiet. Half block from San Samuele #2 vaporetto stop. Five or so minutes from Academia bridge. Close to good eats. Easy in and out on foot or boat.

Lorna works front desk and is wonderfully helpful and friendly. Gives you a customized map and tips. Is our third trip to Venice but first stay here. Will stay here again if we come back.