I am travelling to Venice on business the first week of August. My company has booked me a hotel in Mestre on the mainland, I am assuming because it is closer to the Port or the Airport (I am arriving by cruise ship). Is Mestre nice - I cannot find a lot of information about this city on the Web. Since I only have one day off should I request they book me a hotel right in Venice rather than on the mainland? Or is it an easy commute?

Mestre is an easy commute, but it is to Venice what Newark, NJ is to Manhattan. So . . . ask yourself the question: if you had one night in NYC, would you want to spend it in Newark?

Mestre is, indeed, mainland and closer to the airport, and all the transfer would be easier.Also the hotels there are much cheaper than in Venice, but Mestre is UGLY, and has nothing to do with Venice and its atmosphere! Have your company change your hotel, and stay in Venice, if you can, even if it implies in transfer made by water taxies. It's a totally different perspective and experience. To really feel Venice, one should stay in the island, not in Mestre, or even in the Lido. <BR> <BR>Surlok

This one's a no-brainer. Definitely, Venice!

Mestre is a 20 minute train ride from Venice. People stay there if they've been driving a car and don't want to leave it in the parking lot at the entrance to Venice. <BR>You didn't write how long you will be there (only how much time you have off). What will you be doing in the evenings. <BR>You'd rather be in St Marks in Venice that in Mestre. <BR>

um, this is a business trip, right? Where is your business/conference taking place? If it is in Venice, I'd say it is a no-brainer. Even if it is at the Airport and/or the Port, you would be going the opposite direction of the masses commuting to/from Venice from the mainland, so that wouldn't be bad either. But at this date, and depending on your per-diem, someone will need to do some quick checking.

I would like to add my 2 cents. A couple of years ago,our family went to Florence and decided at the very last minute (while there)to go up to Venice. We could not find accomodations in Venice for the right price so we stayed at a Best Western 4 star hotel in Mestre right across from the train station. The hotel was nice with a wonderful full american type breakfast buffet,bathrooms huge and clean and the rooms were great.(It was obviously an international business hotel and could accomodate every traveling type.)We walked across the street,hopped on the train(for about 50 cents apiece) and took the train over the water to Venice everyday.WHAT A VIEW as you are coming into the city!!! It took about 8 minutes and was easy,cheap and did not take away from our Venice trip. Yes,Mestre is a typical working city but we did not even travel around it as we spent everyday over at the islands.It was nice for us as we had a 6am flight back to Brussels and we could take a cab (that was prearranged from our hotel the night before) for an early morning pickup-did not have to deal with expense and hassle of wate taxis.We were happy with it as we got a "family room" with 4 twin beds so we could all be together which is rare in Europe. Have fun and don't work too hard?

My husband and I just returned from a 2 1/2 week trip to Italy. The first part of our Italian journey took place in Venice. We, also, stayed at the Best Western Hotel Bologna, and were quite impressed. The location, right across from the train station, could not have been better, the breakfast was the best we had during our entire Italian visit, and we were also able to check into our room at 9am after a long 43 hour journey to get there! <BR> <BR>We spent two days in Venice and went back and forth via train and it is a breathtaking view once you leave the station upon your arrival. <BR> <BR>By the end of both days, we were glad to get away from such a touristy area and return to our quiet, business-like hotel.

There nothing like walking he "streets" of Venice (St Mark) as lost as the next person and laughing at yourself and each other and with them all at all hours of the night. <BR>I doubt if you'd do that with one eye on your watch.