bobthenavigator

My son just stayed there over the holidays and liked it. I think the location is great.

laurieco

Which place Bob, the hotel or apartment? If it's the son I think it is, I'll ask him about it (we're FB friends, we've met several times IRL and I think he and his ms. are fantastic!)

ellenem

There is nothing wrong with the Hotel Columbina location. It is excellent for someone who hasn't been to Venice in 35 years or who will want to explore all the San Marco area has to offer. I enjoy Campo Santa Maria Formosa nearby and often wander the streets to the east. Don't think you've made a bad decision.

For arriving in Venice, your hotel is relatively straightforward to find compared to many, and the San Zaccaria vaporetto stop is served by many different boats so you just have to decide which route you prefer to try. You can also look at the boat schedules at the link I provided to check which route would be faster or more frequent.

I think four nights in Venice is perfect, because it gives you three full days to visit the well-known sights of Venice and to also explore less-visited areas or ride across the lagoon to Burano and Torcello. Here's my trip report which includes a week in Venice. It is a few years old, so prices and travel details may be a little inaccurate, but the ideas for sights and other things to do will give you an idea of the possibilities.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...rip-report.cfm

NYCFoodSnob

I completely understand why someone would want to stay near Piazza San Marco, especially for a first-time visit. I'm often in the mood to stay in this exciting area, and I cherish the thrill-ride feeling it provides. I love the Bauer Il Palazzo, the Danieli, and the Luna Baglioni. And no one should miss the fabulous restoration of the Gritti. IMO, the Colombina is not the Metropole, which is one of the easiest hotels to find in Venice.

The key to picking a great hotel near San Marco is precise location. Most people want easy access with their luggage, a street that's easy to find, and they don't want to be crammed into a dark, congested corner that sees sunshine for only 5-minutes at high noon.

It seems utterly silly to recommend a hotel like Al Ponte Mocenigo, or any hotel near the train station or Santa Croce, to someone who wishes to be based within a short walk to San Marco. If you don't know Venice well, if you're navigation skills aren't top-notch, if you don't possess a truly great map, staying near Piazza San Marco will save you a lot of time and energy, and maybe some money. IMO, the outer reaches of Venice, as fond as I am of them, are for a specific kind of tourist.

May in Venice is absolutely spectacular. As much as I love Lake Como, it would be difficult for me to give up any days to visit elsewhere in May. I'd rather be sick in bed with the flu then suffer through only two nights on Lake Como. But, if you don't ever see yourself getting back (which is a terrible mindset), then you have to do what you have to do.

laurieco

I plan on going back. We always go back to places we love. We've been to Rome and to Sicily within the last few years. Rome, 4 years ago, was DH's first trip to Italy, and then we went to Sicily two years ago for our 25 anniversary trip. I never got to Sicily when I lived in Siena. We had been going to Asia and SE Asia for about 15 years and barely set foot in Europe during that time, but we've been back into Europe for the last four years, going at least once a year. So I guess we will save Lake Como for another time, and combine that with a trip to the Piedmont region and Dolomites. As long as there is enough to see and do in Venice for 4 nights, I'm in!

laurieco

I went to the Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo website and put in my dates, and it indicated that it was open since it gave me the price for all for nights (640€ inclusive of tax, breakfast and WiFi!) I now have two hotels booked for the same night! Since the Al Ponte Mocenigo gets two thumbs up from posters here, and it is so much less money, I think I may keep that one. It also has free cancellation. So many decisions!

annhig

Laurieco - the hotel website gives comprehensive information about how to get there:

http://www.hotelcolombina.com/where-we-are

scroll down to the bottom and you see that it gives directions from the San Zaccaria vaporetto stop, easily reached by Lines 1 or 2 from the station [Ferrovia].

The Al Ponte Mocenigo is in a completely different place of course - only you know where you would most like to be.

and don't worry about finding enough things to do. So long as you like looking at beautiful things in a drop-dead gorgeous place, you'll be happy.

annw

Stay for 4 nights!!

After many trips we either go for it and stay on a quiet courtyard close to San Marco -- Locanda Orseolo (which I highly recommend) or over in Cannaregio at Domus Orsoni.

For an almost first-timer I think LO is perfect, personally. Their sister hotel is Al Ponte Antico, which is near Rialto and on the grand canal.

But as to your OP, no getting around it, the San Marco/San Zacharia/Mercerie areas are packed. Looking at the map, even though I think I know Venice pretty well I would be tempted to get a water taxi for the arrival. Yes it will be pricey. And you can walk to Vaporetto stop on your return.

bobthenavigator

OOps, my other son, Steve not Chris.
I meant Colombina. We stayed din an apartment across the canal from there for a week and liked the location.

laurieco

Okay, thanks Bob. I still have the reservation at the Columbina. And I have one at the Al Ponte Mocenigo. DH says they both look nice, he just doesn't want to schlep luggage so I'm trying to figure out which is easier to get to. The Al Ponte Mocenigo is $400 cheaper for the 4 nights, which I like. More to spend on Murano glass! And the reviews on Expedia, Trip Advisor and Booking.com are great pretty much across the board.

vincenzo32951

>>From Florence, train to Venice, 4 nights Venice, then, train to Milan, with our final 2 nights there. <<

I like that plan. Save LC for another time.

>>Is 4 nights too many in Venice? I assume there is enough to do there?<<

A lot of people here will tell you 40 nights in Venice isn't enough. You should be able to find plenty to do and see in 4 nts.

2010

Well, if your husband really doesn't want to schlep luggage, then you might want to consider hiring a water taxi from the train station to the Hotel Columbina if that's where you end up staying. Be aware that if the tide is high, a water taxi may not be able to navigate smaller canals and take you directly to the hotel. That happened to us when my husband & I took a water taxi from the airport to the Locanda Orseolo. It dropped us off as close as it could get and we had to walk a short distance to the hotel.

However, looking at the map, the Columbina seems pretty accessible if you took a vaporetto to the San Zaccaria stop & walked from there.

tower

Laurie:

As far as shlepping luggage..the vap stop at St. Sae is on the very wide street where the Mocenigo is located...it's a flat walk of less than a 100 yards (my uneducated estimate). To get into the Mocenigo you'll see a sign on your left and a narrow alley way. 50 feet takes you to the large entry door.

When walking toward the central fish market, Rialto Bridge and San Marcos, you will leave Mocenigo by it's main entrance, a canal-side door over a little bridge and you're on your way through a pleasant neighborhood. The two owners are usually on site. Enjoy!

tower

Laurie: These Venice pix will show you familiarization scenes of The Mocenigo and general views of the city (#1-109), including a visit to Burano (highly recommend). Suggest slide show. (It then goes on to include Florence and Piemonte, if you wish).

https://picasaweb.google.com/stuartt...ndPiemonte2009

tower

By the way, The Burano boat stops at Murano.

Weekender

We were very pleased with the Colombina. Great location just up from the Bridge of Sighs. Close to San Marco and yet very quiet.

laurieco

Thanks tower. That is very helpful information. I'm leaning more towards that hotel than the Columbina. The price is great and it does look lovely. I've read reviews on Expedia, Trip Advisor and Booking.com, and people seem to love it. And they said the breakfast has gotten better in the past couple of years to include different foods.

laurieco

Oh weekeender, now I'll never make up my mind!

laurieco

tower, your photos are beautiful! And the hotel looks very nice. I would much rather be on a small canal than the Grand Canal.

danon

we stayed for 3 nights ...2 full days
It was too short for what we wished to see.

Going again for a week in May ( rented an apt)
The first time we stayed on Sant' Elena
Most posters suggested staying closer to SM,
but we really liked the location .