Hotels: Venice vs Lido
 

My young, 65 year old+ parents will be in Venice in Sept. at the end of a cruise. I'm looking for accommodation under 250,000 lira. Venice looks very pricey. Has anyone stayed at the Lido area? Is it difficult to get to? Or any suggestions for a good hotel in Venice?

It's been a good many years and old advice is not reliable about hotels, however, the Lido is basically a dressy beach resort. If Venice is hot which it can be in Sept. I would rec. the Lido. It's a pleasant vaporattto ride from the Piazza san Marko, about 15-20 minutes across the lagoon. There used to be many reasonable pensiones. The large hotels are turn of the century GRAND and might very well appeal to that age bracket. You'll need a guide book to give you some idea of prices. Frank

Absolutely good advice from Frank. I don't know the rates either but the dollar is very strong right now. Venice in Sept. can be intolerably hot and the Lido is lovely--even has some casinos if they like that. Miles of beautiful beach with attendants--a good place for older tourists and Venice itself is a quick vaporetto ride away. The primo experience like this would be the Hotel Cipriani on another private island with its own shuttle boat back and forth, but that's guaranteed to be very pricey---you don't say what the budget is. If they can afford the Cipriani--go for it. I think it's still part of the CIGA hotel chain.

My husband and I have stayed on the Lido a few times at the Quattro Fontane. Last July, our room cost something in the range of $220. Venice is pricey, and the Lido follows suit. It is really lovely, however. In addition to spending time within Venice itself, we took a bus trip way out on the Lido, and found a small fishing village where we took photographs, drew, watched people, and had a very relaxing time.
The Quattro Fontane is a pretty hotel, with a newer section management wants to foist off onto unsuspecting tourists. If your folks go there, warn them to insist on staying in the old section of the hotel. Lots of stairs...could be a problem?

The Lido is the answer. If they want to spend
$120 for a B&B type place, then the Villa Albertina
is the answer. If they want a nicer hotel,a 4 star
for about $160, then the Villa Mabapa is good.
Both have web sites---the latter you can book thru
Best Western. Tell them to have a gelato for me.