Just wondering what people think of this hotel? I know it is recommended, but they have unusual policies such as 30 % deposit and unfriendly cancellation policies. Also they charge for wifi. More important, some say the staff is not helpful. Maybe I am worrying too much.
Any thoughts? They have just one room left for my visit in August.
Thanks so much.

We didn't stay there but walked by it frequently - fantastic location.....

They are popular---supply and demand.

Dorsoduro is nice area best for me

It is a nice hotel stayed there years ago

Featured in the Hepburn movie summertime

You are booking in peak season

Policies are standard

No air cond in Aug can get hot

Nearby recently stayed at www.hotelpausania.it

59 euro www.Otel.com room 211canal view cute little Palazzo

Little better for price has AC...

Happy Hunting

Have stayed there and would not stay anywhere else. Great location, wonderful ambience although some bedrooms can be small. The gardens front and back are very unusual for Venice and are great areas to relax after a hard days sightseeing.

Stayed there 4 times. Overall loved this hotel. Noticed some reviewers were not very happy with the receptionist, found them not too friendly. They were fine with me maybe because I don't ask lots of questions, don't try to chat with them. Also never asked for deposit. I did not reserve online on their site. Sent them a normal e-mail. I like this hotel very much but I understand your hesitation if you have to send a deposit, etc. However nice this hotels is, it's not the only one. If you book with a booking site such as venere.com or booking.com, usually, no pre-payment- deposit are needed. But it won't be P.Accademia, you don't see this hotel on booking sites usually. Had the same story with another well reviewed Pensione La Calcina in the same Dorsoduro area. I was never asked for deposit but many others were requested of it on this forum so sometimes there is no consistencey about this. I almost used above mentioned otel.com but did not finally because it required a prepayment (maybe rate was slightly better because of that).

> although some bedrooms can be small

stayed at double-standard, double-superior and single. dbl-standard can be small, especially a tiny shower, although clean. dbl-sup, larger with larger bathroom (with tub). All 4 times I requested the (side) canal view. The noise did not bother me and loved the view and even a glimpe of the Grand Canal.

Breakfast is a buffet, quite good.

Breakfast buffet is good and I have found the staff to be very friendly. One of the guys at the front desk had a long chat with us about the famous who have stayed there including Gerard Depardieu and Robert de Niro, who he didn't recognise and was subsequently ticked off by the Manager for not giving him VIP treatment when he showed De Niro a room prior to checking in. Another's mother remembers David Lean shooting Summertime and although PA was not the Pensione in the film it was the inspiration for the collective locations that were used. He also pointed us in the direction of Campo San Barnaba which was the location of canal that Hepburn fell in.
http://www.britmovie.co.uk/forums/fi...locations.html

I spent a week there about 6 years ago. Excellent hotel and superb location. The floor was/is terrazzo--one of the most beautiful I've seen in a hotel room. We had a side view of the canal.
There is some early morning noise but it did not bother us.

We have stayed there once, triple room, view of side canal.
Loved it! The location is wonderful, the staff was great, breakfast in the garden cannot be beat.
We are returning to Venice in 2 weeks for our 25th anniversary, and the only reason that we are not staying there again is there was no availability.
Do not hesitate, grab the room.

Thank you all for your replies!! You are all very helpful.
Another question has come up. I can get a room with no view at the Locanda Orseolo ( actually one night I could have a view) and be on a waiting list. Looks more luxurious and everyone raves about the owners.