We are a party of 5. My wife and I with two small children and a nanny. We will be arriving in Venice in early January by water taxi and are looking for a recommendation on a pleasant hotel near to a water taxi drop off point for 2 nights. <BR> <BR>Thanks, <BR>David

Well, from what I saw when I was there, there's a good number of them near drop off points. Which area do you want? There's the train station, Rialto, San Marco......I would NOT recommend the Carlton Executive. It's scuzzy. A woman I met there was raving about the Hotel Rialto. She said the rooms were amazing and quite large.

Budget?

I just got back from Venice a few weeks ago and had a fabulous stay at the Hotel Giorgione, which is about three blocks from the Ca D'oro vaporetto stop, and about two blocks from the water taxi stop. If you let them know in advance, a porter will meet you at the water taxi to help you to the hotel with your bags. <BR> <BR>http://www.hotelgiorgione.it/venice.htm <BR> <BR>Enjoy your trip!

Hi David, Why don't you try an apartment rental? I had a fabulous experience and I honestly think I may never take a hotel again. <BR>I rented from a company called VeniceRentals. Their site add. is Venicerentals.com I can't say enough about them really. <BR>I read about them on message boards and everything was true blue. They were great and so was the apartment, and at a great price as well. <BR>You may want to go this route just for the space! <BR>Good luck. Susan. <BR>PS I wrote a Venice posting containing info. on taxi rides, take a look, it may help you.

David, we just got back and cannot praise highly enough, Hotel Galleria, beside the Accademia Bridge on the Grand Canal. Vaporetto stop, water taxis & gondolas all at your doorstop. We didn't find it noisy at all. Bank a couple of doors away & restaurant out front. We, family of 4, stayed 2 nights also and found it to be a great location. <BR> <BR>I booked via email & experienced no problems at all. Staff were very helpful. <BR> <BR>email address: [email protected]

I forgot their web site. It's: <BR> <BR>www.hotelgalleria.it