Starting to plan my '07 trip to Italy for the first 2 weeks in May. Would appreciate your advice on the first of,I am sure ,many future questions. These two Venice hotels seem the most popular from what I've been reading on this site. The Orseola does not have an elevator, does La Calcina? Which would be the "best" place and why? I am ready to make reservations today,and know I need to quickly, both are still available. Thanks in advance for your help Genie

I dont think one is any better than the other. They are both great choices, the biggest difference is the location.

La Calcina is on the Giudecca Canal and Orseola is nearer to San Marco. I personally would stay as far away from San Marco as possible due to the throngs of crowds you might have to encounter on your way through the city.

No, La Calcina does not have an elevator. It is a very lovely hotel, calm and quiet, and a treat to return to after a day touring the city. I've stayed there twice. But am not familiar with the other one to compare. Because they are so both very popular I would simply see which you can get a reservation at, before you fret too much over the decision. I've never heard a bad thing said about either hotel.

Whichever you choose, make your reservation ASAP.

Genie - to add more, I am biased toward La Calcina because of the location. We stayed in the Dorsoduro and loved it and were glad we did not stay near San Marco.

La Calcina is very close to Zattere vaporetto stop but also easy to get to other places on foot. That whole area is lovely in the evening. There is a great gelato shop (NICO) close by as well. La Calcina has a waterfront restaurant out on a big dock on the canal. Its lovely.

SUZIE or CHICAGOLORI,
Thanks a bunch!!! My only concern are the stairs. La Calcina has a double on the fourth floor (partial view) and another room (don't know what floor,just wrote and asked)without a view. Do you know if they count the fourth floor as what we would call the fifth? My "fat" (just kidding) husband cannot walk up too many stairs. We might just have to find a hotel with an elevator, do you know of any good ones in the 200EURO range? Once again, thank you so much for your advice. I will have many more questions for you and others on Venice, this will be our first time there, did Rome this Spring. Genie

La Calcina is a real find imo, and I'm sorry I don't know of similar others with an elevator. It's the only place I've stayed in Venice. If the non-view room is on a lower floor I would consider it. I've stayed in a non-view single and a canal view double and both were very nice. The stair case is not that steep, but again I'm sorry I don't know how they count floors in Italy. Hopefully someone else can help with that.

We stayed at Pensione Accademia and that too had a lot of stairs, no elevator. So, I can' recommend a hotel with an elevator from personal experience.

Genie, you might want to repost with that specific question to get more answers. "Can anyone recommend a Venice hotel with an elevator for around 200E/night?" type of thing. I am sure you will get good suggestions from this group.

La Calcina just responded. They have a "smaller" double on the first floor for 146euro. Should I grab it ???

I would. You can always cancel if you find something else since you are booking so much in advance. They are so popular that they will have no problem re-booking it and the rate is fantastic.

I would, absolutely!! I believe the room price still includes breakfast too?

Finding a nice hotel in Venice in that price with an elevator will be a bit of a challenge.

Know that the small double is probably just that. A double bed, a dresser, a chair, closet or armoire, bathroom. The furnishings/linens, etc. are very good but if they say "small" it probably really is. But you still get all the charm of this lovely hotel. There's a restaurant on the patio over the canal, plus small dining room off the lobby, rooftop patio, etc.

I believe the first floor will still have 1 flight of stairs. Would that be a problem?

Done!!!
Thank you Suze and Chicagolori....
Just booked the 146euro "smaller" room for 4 nights the first of May. Don't expect a "luxurious" room, but think all the other features will make up the difference. That gelato shop (NICO) nearby sounds great Genie

Hey, that's great news! Not sure how you'll be arriving (train or plane) but there is a vaporetto stop very near the hotel. I'm guessing you'll enjoy the hotel and love the neighborhood.

Suze, Molto grazie! We will be arriving by plane. The vaporetto sounds perfect. Do you know which stop that is? Ciao!!! Genie

Zattere (sp?)

Genie, you're a smart woman to jump on the offer from La Calcina, my home away from home in Venice, even though I've only stayed there once!

Buon viaggio

Suze - do you know how long it takes for Pensione La Calcina to return emails? I have emailed twice in the past 2 days, no response. I am afraid I won't get a reservation. It's for 4/27-4/30/2007.

Madison, Sorry I'm not sure. Both times I stayed there I made my reservations by fax (the first time I was already in Europe). You could phone them. The front desk people speak English.

Thanks Suze. I will call in the morning. I think I made the mistake of using the form that is on their website. I just have such a good feeling about this hotel and I have read rave review from both you and others. It looks as though it's my cup of tea. We sometimes just know a place is meant for us.