Milan and Venice accomodation
 

Hi

My wife and I are going to Italy next month and we have to start looking for a hotel in Milan and Venice. I have bought a couple of guide books and I'm waiting for the mailman to bring them to me :-) But I'm wondering if anyone got a few recommendations when it comes to hotels in these two citis. We would of course like to find something cheap but on the other hand we do like out "luxury" (good breakfast, cable TV and so on). So hopefully some of you have some good advice for us on where we can stay.

Regards
Gard
www.gardkarlsen.com

You'll have more luck once you give your price range and interests. But, we stayed at the Hotel Lloyd in Milan for about $100 (a special rate at the time) for double room (with AC and private bath)and a nice breakfast buffet. That was almost 2 years ago, so the rate will have increased. The hotel is about a 5 min. or less walk from the Duomo and Galleria. Nice hotel; business style rooms (think older Marriott). Bathroom was huge.

Venice has so many hotels, I'd suggest you look at venere.it and see what appeals to you that is in your price range. Then, come back here with the names of some specific hotels to get personal experience comments. You are a little late starting to look for Venice hotels, so you should get right on it. We stayed in the quiet Dorsoduro section of Venice (Accademia Bridge is the vaporetto stop)at the Hotel American. Lovely hotel on a small canal, 3-star, with private bath and air conditioning. And, buffet breakfast. Was about $140 in summer 2001. Price reduced 10% if we paid in local currency. Cheapest options I'm aware of are near the railway station.

Hi
It would really help if you would say what you want to spend, I don't know why so many of us are shy about naming a price.
"luxury" amenities usually come at a price, especially in Venice where the only industry is tourism and prices tend to run high. In the true budget category you can't assume you'll have an elevator, or a/c, for example.

The hotel Ala is often mentioned here, I don't know current prices. Good breakfast mentioned. The Giorgione is also a good place to look into.

My own suggestion is the Flora, charming, great location (tho only continental breakfast) but it is likely to be booked for next month. Pensione Accademia, wildly popular, is said to have a great breakfast. You could inquire about any of these..

I was in Milon last Sept and am going again this Sept. We flew in and took a bus to Train Station and walk one Block to the Amadeus I have aready reserved and am paying 104 per night. Very clean and nice breckfast.WWW.milanohotels.com

www.hotelgalleria.it in Venice. Get a big room. $145 which is a deal for this city and it's on the grand canal! Good luck!

Pensione La Calcina in Venice is a lovely place on the Guidecca canal. Prices vary by view, no view, what season, double, single, suites, etc. Nice breakfast included in the room rate.

www.lacalcina.com

you better hurry with reservations for venice. All the budget hotels in nice areas are filling up very fast, if they are not already full.

As far as which hotels, pick up a Let's Go Europe, Rick Steve's Italy or Lonely Planet.

eliztrav is very correct, in venice the cheapest options are near the station.

We leave on Wed 5/14 for Italy and I can comment after we return, but we are staying at the Antica Venezia in Venice and the Capital Millenneum Hotel in Milan. The Milan hotel advertises a jacuzzi tub! We booked that one on Expedia for $180 US per night I think. It is our last night in Italy on a 12 day trip. I thought at that point, the jacuzzi tub would be welcomed! I will be posting a complete review of my trip after my return. I want to help others as I have gotten so much info from this message board. If you want, email me at [email protected] for details after 5/27. Happy travels!

I'd reccommend for Milano,
The Lloyd Hotel (like eliztrav says)
The Shearaton Diana (very cool place also pre-dinner)
The Demidoff (my family stays here and for about 120 Euro cont. breakfast included) The first two are a little nicer of hotels, I would try to stay at the Diana if I were you. Nice place, and very hip garden/bar area. Relaxing environment.
Ciao, Melissa