My husband and I will be traveling to Venice May 4-8th and we're looking for a hotel (preferably on the Grand Canal) that has free internet connection, continental breakfast, and is within walking distance to San Marco & the Rialto. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! *budget info: between $300-$500 per night

ttt

Here is the best boutique hotel in Venice:

www.locandaorseolo.com

If you read tripadvisor you will see what I mean.

They are on a smaller canal, not the Grand, I don't know about internet, they have a continental and cooked to order breakfast and are in a great location. Book now!

I cannot overstate how much we loved Foscari Palace. I've done several write ups on this forum---search for hotel name and they should show up. There are also dozens of glowing reviews on Trip Advisor. (Well, the first one complains because they got "twin beds pushed together".) It's a beautiful palace, modernized to the level of a U.S. 5* hotel. The bathroom was the most luxurious we've ever had anywhere in Europe. Excellent location. We really didn't want to leave!

Better yet is this one owned by the same people but on the Grand Canal and newer.
www.alponteantico.com

I appreciate the replies! i'm looking into these recommendations, but if anyone else has suggestions I would appreciate it!

We've stayed in three different Venice hotels - Bisanzio, Orseolo, and Palazzo Abadessa. They were all perfectly satisfactory but the only one I dream of returning to is the latter. Here is a link to their website
http://www.abadessa.com/en/index.htm and the description on these pages does not exaggerate. And to add to it, the staff were friendly and helpful, with better English than I have Italian. After a day of touring, it was wonderful to return to the garden and enjoy a complementary aperitif. And, once you get your bearings in Venice, you'll see that the location is pretty central to most sites. It was great to cover so much groud without a lot of backtracking.

kb:
I just did a test search and none of my former posts came up for Foscari Palace. I guess the new system doesn't recognize them.

We loved this hotel from the moment we entered the large lobby (a rarity in our Italy travels). Our room had flat screen TV, minibar, a balcony large enough for an iron table/chairs overlooking the plaza and Grand Canal. The bath was modern, two basins, all marble with new jacuzzi shower AND tub. There were plush robes and slippers. The breakfast was amazing...there's a buffet, but you can also order whatever you want (like bacon and eggs).

Some people find the staff on the cool side. We just felt they were very professional and discreet. Whenever we needed help or suggestions they were happy to oblige.

Every two or three nights they have a soiree for guests. Complimentary champagne, canapes, and a string quartet. Very nice.

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

We really liked the Marconi. Altho we did not have a Grand Canal view room, we went in to look at them when they were being cleaned and the views were breathtaking.

JeanneB, do you know if Foscari Palace has complimentary internet access? On the website it says internet port in rooms, but i'm curious as to the cost (staying connected throughout the trip is unfortunately a must for me as I run my own business) I'd appreciate any insight on this!