Planning a last minute trip to Italy in about 3 weeks... hotel bookings are slim. We are using Venere and TA to help guide us!

Venice:
Hotel Al Piave
Residenza Ca' San Marco
Al Gazzettino
Residenza Laguna

Rome:
Hotel Smeraldo
Hotel Trinita dei Monti
Hotel Duca d'Albra
Nicolas Inn

Any thoughts on these?

You should also read the comments at Trip Advisor as well.

www.tripadvisor.com

We're already using TA. If anyone else has thoughts on narrowing these down, please let me know! Thanks!

Stayed at Trinita dei Monti a million years ago, loved it then. Perfect location, charming atmosphere, etc. Only negative I remember was a kind of aloof-to-the-point-of-cold management, but that was over in the late '80s, so more than likely not pertinent. Sorry I can't be more help than that!

oops, sloppy editing: shouldn't read "over in the late '80s", just "in the late '80s". Mi dispiace!

I would stay in Hotel Agle Alboretti in Venice. I never stayed there but saw it and it's very nice. It's in Dorsodoro across the Grand Canal. Literally 3 minutes by Vaporetti. It's very quiet and there are great restaurants there.

I haven't stayed at your Venice choices, but 5 of stayed for 3 nights last year at Nicolas Inn.

I would definitely recommend it. Remember that it is a B&B and not a 24 hour full service hotel, if that makes a difference to you. It is located near the Forum in an old building and up two flights of stairs. Once inside the Nicolas foyer, the decor is serene and contemporary.

We had 2 comfortable rooms; our friends' double was on the courtyard side and had a shower; our triple was on the street side and had a bath/shower combo. The windows were amazingly soundproof.

Breakfast is delivered to your room and was a generous continental. The owners, Melissa and Francois, speak several languages including English (she is from the US) and are extremely helpful.

They are very willing to make museum reservations and restaurant recommendations etc, or just to leave you alone if you prefer! They do not live at the B&B but are available 24 hours by phone.

For Rome :

Whatever hotel you choose, be sure it is in a CENTRAL Location. IMHO, it is absolutely vital to have a central location to really enjoy Rome at your pace. Public Transport via underground subway isn't exactly very convenient, buses are an OK way to get around, but nothing beats being in a central location and walking!

If you get a good hotel location, Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, Emmanuel Vittorio Monument, and even the Coloseum should be walkable.
You'll just have to take the bus to the Vatican and to Trestavere.

As for venice., Its just so small that location is not much of a problem. Comfort will be the factor!

I just posted a review of the wonderful B&B we stayed at in Venice-B & B Sandra (www.bbalessandra.com). I think she books well in advance and may not have much open, but if you don't mind a B&B this place and the location were wonderful. Shirley

My wife and I stayed at Duca d'Alba in 1993 and 2003. In the late 90's they renovated, shrinking the rooms drastically in the process. I would avoid it, even though the staff is nice and the location is good. Next May we're going to Rome again, and this time we're staying at an apartment managed by Ilglicine. I recommend seeing what they have available if you're going to be in Rome for more than three days.