Will be flying into Milan and will stay for a couple of days before going to Venice to pick up a cruise. I assume that taking a train to Venice would be our best choice. I am rather intimated by the forums discussing luggage on the train and especially once we get to Venice. Most posters suggest taking a water taxi to a hotel with a dock. Probably what we need as we will have heavy luggage and at our advance age, we do not want to lug our luggage over bridges, etc. We like staying in nice hotels (Marriotts and Hilton types in the States). Can I get some hotel recs for Milan and especially for Venice because of the accessibility issue. Probably would spend only one day in Venice at a hotel and our second day there we will check into our cruise boat and will be there for the better part of the next day before the ship departs. I know, not a lot of time, but it is what it is. So having a nice hotel in Venice in a great accessible location will be important. In Milan I guess the location is important but not as much as in Venice. Also can anyone give me an estimate on how long the train trip to Venice will be. And do you think I need a 1st class because of the luggage issue? If I had only 3 days, would you suggest 1 in Milan and 2 in Venice?

One day is enough time to get a feel for Milan, see the Duomo and the Last Supper and have a nice meal. Venice has a lot more to see and do so definitely spend more time there.

In Milan I recommend for location, location, location and yes, clean and comfortable too:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._Lombardy.html

I cannot help you out with a hotel in Venice. We stayed at the Bauer Il Palazzo (I think) but it was very disappointing. I'm sure you can do better for a lot less!

Have a great trip.

gruezi

older folks laden with luggage and worried about storing it means 1st class for sure IMO on the Milan-Venice train, and trains in Italy are much cheaper than most countries so it will not break the bank.

My answer from the other thread where you asked the same question:

Regarding your suitcases, how large is large? 2nd class has ample storage space, so I would not necessarily choose 1st class just because of your luggage, but for larger seats and less people.

Some Venice to Milan sample times and costs:
ES/ train— 2hr35min; 1st class 38,50€; 2nd class 27,60€
R train—3hr31min; 1st class 21,85€; 2nd class 14,50€

2nd class IME has the same storage space but since there are more travelers in it finding space on the storage space is more problematic

Thanks for the Milan rec, Gruezi. Hotel Spardi does get great recs on Trip Advisor. An considering it, but I would like to stay at the Marriott or the Hilton Milan because of points, but am a little concerned about location. Hilton, which seems to get a lot better review than does Marriott and seems closer in to the sights, is on Via Luigi Galvani, and is close to train station and airport shuttle buses. That is good since it looks like it is super expensive to take a taxi in from the airport, correct? And we will be taking the train to Venice when we leave. What do you experienced travelers think about the location for the Hilton? We will be there only for 2 days, but part of the first day will probably be spent after a nap after around 18 hours of travel time.BTW I booked the Westin Europa in Venice. Thanks all.

We haven't been to Milan yet, but we are going next summer, so I've been studying up on hotels. My understanding is that the area around the train station (Centrale) is a bit seedy, especially at night. Maybe someone who has been there can confirm or deny this.

We prefer Milan to Venice and enjoy the Park Hyatt there. Beautiful hotel and perfectly located. Also the Melia Milano is a lovely hotel and a great value.

I have stayed several times at Milano Centrale with my mom and I do not find it seedy. It is not the most charming area but I very much enjoy Le Meridien there and it is often a great price. The location is very convenient and I walk to Duomo square in 15-20 minutes. There is also very good public transport.

I believe this hotel in Venice has its own water taxi 'stop': The Hotel Colombina, a four-star hotel, located at Calle del Remedio, Castello 4416. It is a nice hotel.

Larry,

I have been to Milan twice - both times by train. From the train station I took a cab to the Duomo area. The cab was maybe 10-15 minutes I think, so you will not be too far from things staying at the train station. For me, when I am in a walking city, as Milan is, I like to walk everywhere and esp. at night be more "in" things. I would not feel that way at the train station personally but for many this is not so important.

I mostly am posting back to tell you to make a reservation for the Last Supper. Very worth it but you have better luck getting in quickly with a reservation.

Enjoy Milan. I think it is an often underrated city. I am not into fashion so much, but something about the Milanese just really brings out the people watcher in me. Spend an hour inside the arcade sipping a cappucino and watching the beautiful people....

And the food and coffee.... yum....

gruezi

I recently returned from a second stay (with a gap of several years) at the hotel Flora in Venice. I tend to go for moderate to pricey hotels myself. The Flora is by most accounts considered moderate. We had a superior room that was comfortably large. Bathroom not ultramodern, but serviceable and modern enough. Everything may not be new, but it is spotless. The hotel has 'continental' breakfast, and other services can be arranged for such as
laundry. While they don't have their own water stop, there is one very nearby, and they are so accommodating that I'm sure they can arrange for a water taxi to bring you to that stop, and a porter to take your luggage from the stop to the hotel. They did the reverse for us on the way out of Venice (porterage to taxi stop, taxi to train station, porter met us at the train station). The biggest pluses about this hotel are the location and service, and I will sing their praises whenever I can. The one hotel disadvantage that comes to mind, is that there is no business center, just one computer terminal in the lobby, inexpensive but uncomfortable to use.
www.hotelflora.it

OK, Gruezi,You've convinced me to not be so cheap. Even tho I can stay at Marriott or Hilton on points, I need to spring for a room in the central part of Milan. Especially since we will only be there for a day and a half. And like you I like people watching, especially if I can sit outside with a glass of wine. I went online to the Spadari site and they are showing sold out for the time I am there. Wow. Thats close to a year from now.But I have plenty of time to check back. I looked at various other hotels and because of rating I was looking at Hotel Cavour in the area.However, I am concerned that reviewers found the rooms stuffy and that AC doesn't workafter August.Is that true for all hotels as the reviewer there says?We would have a hard time sleeping with windows open in early October. Actually, I don't need to be in an inexpensive hotel, just not in a super expensive one. Prefer under 270 or so. Anyone have other suggestions in Duomo area? AirConditioning is impt to us.
Elaine, thanks for your rec, but in Venice I am already booked at a Westin Starwood Hotel, the Regina.

Larry--Hotel Spadari isn't sold out; they just aren't taking bookings for October 2010 yet. If you play around withthe booking tab on the website, you'll see that they are only taking bookings through July, 2010. You can't book in August or later yet.

OK.Thanks, enzian. That makes sense. I will wait a while for my booking there. Might also rethink my Venice hotel. My res got messed up at the Westin Regina and now it appears really high. I like good hotels but it may be a few bucks out of my comfort zone. I sure like the location and the "partial" canal view, but the 413 euros for a non refundable room gives me pause. So I'm open to suggestions for a really good hotel that might be a little under that price. If I was to select the Hilton across the lagoon, how inconvenient would that be to get to the main areas? Anyone have thoughts on that or a hotel on the grand canal?

I don't work for them or anything, but the Flora is practically next door to the Europa-Regina. Or, across the street is the Saturnia-Internazionale, where I stayed a few years ago. It's an older hotel, but some of their double rooms are quite they have their own water entrance, all services, and nice breakfast buffet.
At the other side of Piazza San Marco is the Dona Palace. I haven't stayed there but looked into it recently,and reviews are mostly excellent.
Personally, I see no point in visiting Venice and not staying in Venice.

Definitely stay in Venice. Especially since you really have only one day there. Plan on walking all day and all night in Venice.

We also visited the Dona Palace, and thought it looked nice. For your budget, you should definitely be able to get a canal view room. I still suggest you consider the Hotel Colombina, too. We always choose lower priced, local flavor hotels, and spend less than your budget. We do not stay in 'chains' when we travel abroad.

For first-timers, San Marco area (although can be very busy) may be a obvivious choice. I heard lots of good things about Dona Palace mentioned above so it's worth checking out.

By personal experience I recommend Foscari Palace, 4* superior. Although it is located in Cannaregio area, only 5 minutes walk to Rialto Bridge and 15 to Piazza San Marco. The best thing about this hotel is the Grand Canal view at very affordable prices. Choose Deluxe/Superior double or suite but WITH Grand Canal view. We stayed in Nov.2004 (they opened in June same year I think) and Dec.2005 and paid low season rates in 2004, €160 (Deluxe double/GC view with 2 windows) and in 2005 €230 (Gonzaga Suite - huge with 4 windows. 3 of them with a blcony (standing only). Depending on the seasons, it could well easily be within your budget. €230 (for Gonzaga Suite) was way over our usual budget but we had no regret at all with our choice. The hotel has many other positive points that I might have mentioned on the following review I posted on T.A. after our 2nd stay.
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUse...ce_Veneto.html

It gets good reviews constantly today so I suppose things have not changed much.

The hotel is located on Campo Santa Sofia across the canal from the famous fishmarket. You might enjoy the gondola like traghetto boat ride for only €0.50 to get to the market side.

http://www.hotelfoscaripalace.com/eng/foscari/home.asp

Thanks, all. Great suggestions. BTW, kappa, prices listed now seem to be close to double what they were in '05. But since I don't really have to have a canal view, the prices are probably within my budget. I just like hanging out on a terrace with a glass of wine. I guess the rooftop terrace might be a bar also? If not, I'm sure I can find a bar closeby that overlooks the canal. Will also check out Dona Palace and Columbina.

> prices listed now seem to be close to double what they were in '05.

Sorry to hear that. It also depends on the time of the year. When are you going? If you mentioned above, I haven't caught it. SEP - OCT is high season. I paid the lowest rates in end Nov and start Dec. I wouldn't be surprised if Gonzaga suite (50m2) cost €230 (what I paid then) x 2 in high season.

Roof top terrace is fabulous view-wise. No bar there but you can order at the hotel bar next to the reception. They will bring your order to the terrace.

Yeah. I'm there in high season I guess. Oct 4 - 6.