<i><font color=#555555>"Look for signs that say "per San Marco" …Not all that difficult"</font></i>

Now that's funny. A simple Google search will reveal thousands of tourists who complain they had no idea which way the arrow was directing them to go. So they walked in circles, twice. And then there are the men who hate to admit they got lost. Very funny.

<i><font color=#555555>""Check a map" is subtle?"</font></i>

It is if the tourist comes to Venice with one of those pull-out maps offered in some guidebooks. I've stopped counting the times I've helped strangers find their way in Venice. Oh the maps I've seen people carry in Venice…

<i><font color=#555555>"I know Snobby hates Strada Nova"</font></i>

That's not true. It's never been true. I love Cannaregio. I have a dear friend whose family lives near Ghetto Nuovo. I visit her often. I get coffee beans on Tera San Leonardo. I have favorite restaurants in the neighborhood that I've been visiting for many years. I've never been to Venice and not walked Strada Nova. I've been taking notes on the construction at Hotel Abbazia for many years.

Do I love Strada Nova during morning and evening rush hour? Absolutely not. It's the main drag for all train commuters. Worse than anything I've experienced at Grand Central. Some of those luggage hurlers on Lista di Spagna can kill you. Or at least kill a great pedicure.

Then there's all the cheap shops. Yes, I know, they're all over. But the abundance on Strada Nova conjures a made-in-China rash. And how about all those awful Middle East-pizza-by-the-slice joints, pretending to be Italian? Worthless and offensive. And since millions of tourists believe there is no such thing as bad gelato, every other store on Strada Nova now claims to offer "artisanal" sugar ice, passing as gelato to the pre-diabetic no-nothings.

Am I being subtle enough?

<i><font color=#555555>"but we love her anyway"</font></i>

Good thing I'm not needy. (Back at you, sweetie!)

I have stayed at Hotel Al Piave. It is quite nice with a good breakfast. It is a short walk to San Marco. It is far enough away to avoid to din but close enough to walk in about 5 minutes. Mid June goes for- 170 Euro. It is booking fast so better hurry, whether you stay here or elsewhere.

http://www.hotelalpiave.com/

CaVino - thanks! Alas, no more rooms for the dates we'll be Venice.

I have never stayed at Hotel Scandinavia, but it sits in an enviable position in Campo Santa Maria Formosa.

Just far enough away from frenetic Piazza San Marco and the Rialto.

Thin

my party stayed in Venice proper for 3 nights in Jun 2012. from there we went on many tours, gondola rides, all over Venice. the timing was terrible for us because we were in the middle of tourist season and there was some sort of Italian military parade in San Marco, etc., crowds were terrible. however, we did find the wonderfully colorful island of Burano, 20 minutes out in the Venice Bay, which had all the color of Venice, without the crowd crush. if/when we go back we will do the Burano B&B at this link

http://www.isoladiburano.it/en/index.html

and travel into Venice proper only when we think we have to. but, we are older and much prefer the slower pace...

FoodSnob makes a habit of being condescending, don't take it personally.

For me, no I would not want to stay near the train station. I don't see that as a positive. Even arriving on a train it's very easy to hop a vaporetto to get to your hotel neighborhood.

I really like the Dorsoduro area (it overlooks a large shipping canal) and about a 10 mins. walk from San Marco Piazza. But likely harder to find inexpensive lodging than around the train station.