Looking for a nice hotel which isn't too expensive in Venice. Want to be near San Marco. Would like to be on the water, or at least have water view. Any suggestions?

Corinne, <BR>When ae you going, and what do you want to spend? Also do you want an elevator, air conditioning, etc?

We found the Al Gambero on this site a few years ago. Used it on our trip to Venice in 1999. <BR> <BR>Nice, clean hotel with some rooms that look over a small canal. We will use it again on next trip. <BR> <BR>Located on Calle Dei Fabbri about half way between San Marco and Rialto. Tel is 39 041 5224384 Fax 39 041 5200431. We had room #1 that overlooked the canal. Rate in Oct 99 was 210000L for double with breakfast included. Rooms were small, but had recently been remodeled and fixtures in the bath were new.

We stayed at the Locanda San Barnaba -- it is in the Dorsdoro (sp.?) and about a 15 minute walk from San Marco. There isn't a great water view, but it is on a small side canal. The building is a restored palazzo -- nice size rooms, very clean, great location. Prices ranged from 300,000 - 400,000 IL.

La Calcina in the Dorsoduro - nice views from some rooms of the Giudecca Canal. Rooms are large, comfortable and clean. I believe they are around 240,000 lira per night which is about $120, very reasonable. Also, they have air conditining. I highly recommend it.

Hi Corinne! DO a search on this forum on the Leon Bianco www.leonbianco.it Many people on this forum have stayed there, including myself, and have been pleased. Rooms with a great view of the Grand Canal are 280,000 lira. No A/C, no elevator, but charming.

I second the motion on La Calcina in Dorsoduro. It's newly refurbished and nicer than ever. <BR> And if it's full, try the Seguso next door. You must specify a view over the water if you expect to get one. It's worth the few extra $.

P. S. If a room overlooking a small back canal counts as a "water view," then also consider Hotel Ala, which is less than 5 minutes from Piazza S.Marco. I stayed in a small but spotless and perfectly nice room there overlooking the little canal in the back. Very good breakfasts, too, with the best coffee I had in Italy. <BR>(Still, the views are great from La Calcina and Seguso, though; just farther from S.Marco.)

A caveat about the Leon Bianco. My husband and I booked a room with them <BR>for May via e-mail several months ahead. During the trip he became ill and we couldn't push on to Venice. When I called to cancel (on the day of our reservation), they had never heard of us! I'm so grateful we didn't bite the bullet and continue on to Venice--I can't even imagine landing there with a sick spouse and no hotel room. The upside: no cancellation charges. <BR>

Hi Sue! I'm glad that you had decided not to stay in Venice, otherwise I can imagine the hassle of finding a place last minute! I also used e-mail to find availability for the Leon Bianco, but I always feel nervous about sending the credit card number through e-mail (not encrypted) so I called personally and gave them my credit card number obver the phone. Maybe that made a difference? They only have about 10 rooms, and it's a father-son team that own and manage it. <BR>Regards, <BR>Mariarosa

Corinne, <BR>I second Bob's suggestion for Locanda al Gambero. I stayed there just a couple months ago and it was a great choice! The location cannot be beat - so close to San Marco and the Rialto. I requested a canal-view room when I made the reservation and was told there were no guarantees. But when we arrived, we had a fantastic corner room (#311) overlooking the small canal and alleyway. The room was small, but had been completely renovated and with double-paned windows, we had no problems with noise. <BR> <BR>It is only a one-star hotel (no elevator and not all rooms have private bath), so the rate was 240000L/night (double with private bath) - much cheaper than any other hotel I considered! I did all of my correspondence through email; the hotel's address is [email protected]

Liesl, <BR>I can't seem to access Hotel Gambero through the e-mail. Is this the correct address?

Laconda Sturion right at the Rialto Bridge great location great rooms great breakfast. Have to climb long flight of stairs to get to it but worth it. Hint - the entrance is actually down a little alley off the main sidewalk by canal.....check it out.

Sorry forgot the link to the Sturion's web site <BR> <BR>http://www.sayville.com/locanda-sturion.html

ttt for karen. <BR>