Venice, 3 nights in Sept.; where to stay?
 

Will be arriving in Venice from Florence via Rail in late morning on Wednesday Sept. 22rd staying till Saturday morning 25th. Wondering part of City to stay in. Any suggestions? Any Hotels, B&B, you would recommend? Looking for reasonable accommodations, neither bare bones nor high end.

"reasonable" is subjective. What is the top price you can pay? How many people?

I spent two nights in Venice in May and researched suggesitons about Hotels in Venice in these forums extensively, and one thing that struck me was the lack of postings that said, "Don't stay here" My point: it seems that everyuone who travels to Venice loves the hotel they stayed at! So I don't think you can go wrong. BUT: Many previous thread have suggested the Pensione Guerrato www.pensioneguerrato.it, which is immediately next to the Rialto Market, which is right in the middle of the town. I stayed there and just loved the place. Very friendly and helpful staff. It is frequented by many different European nationalities, and breakfast was like listening to the EU congress. The only down side is that if you want something closer to San Marco, then this will be a bit out of that neighborhood. But it is only four Vaporetto stops from the train station, and you can walk it if you wish (doable, but not recommended wiht luggage) Please note my trip report posting from early June. Enjoy!

This may help.

BOB’S FAVORITE HOTELS IN VENICE:

BEST MID-RANGE 3 STAR HOTELS: Prices will vary from 140 to 250E

• www.locandaorseolo.com Rave reviews in good location

• www.lacalcina.com Popular hotel in Dorsoduro on Zattere

• www.pensioneaccademia.it A Venice standard on Grand Canal

• www.cadeidogi.it Small hotel in Castello with decent prices

• www.cortegrimani.com Diverse family apts. in good location

SMALL B&Bs: PRICES VARY FROM 100E TO 220E AND BY SEASON

• www.corte1321.com Helpful hosts in San Polo area

• http://www.alpontemocenigo.com/en/index.htm A real gem in a real part of Venice that is off-the path

• www.guesthouse.it Great value but not my favorite location

NICER 4 STAR HOTELS: prices range from 250 to 500E—vary by season

• www.ponteantico.com Lovely new place at Rialto on Grand Canal

• www.capisani.it Boutique hotel near Accademia Bridge

• www.liassidpalacehotel.com Lovely amenities in Castello

• http://hotel-venezia-metropole.com/ Fabulous location but pricey

WILD CARD OPTIONS: Hotel & apartment options with good prices:

• www.hotelmessner.it Well priced rooms & apts. in Dorsoduro

• http://www.palazzettodaschio.it/ Apts. in a real 16th century villa

• http://www.hotelriva.it/ Small budget hotel in great location-120E

I think you'll have to stay where you find availability at this late date. Go to www.venere.com, put in your dates and see what comes up. Guest ratings are more reliable than star ratings, and location hardly matters in Venice, which is compact and walkable. Avoid Lido.

Here are some good ones-

http://www.lacalcina.com/

http://www.corte1321.com/en/index.htm

http://www.locanda-sanbarnaba.com/default.htm

http://www.casarezzonico.it/

http://www.pensioneaccademia.it/

http://www.alpontemocenigo.com/en/rooms.htm

http://www.caangeli.it/eng/caangeli.html

<location hardly matters in Venice>

For a stay of just three days, I don't second this opinion, sorry Zerlina. Venice is compact, yes, but also a very slow city. Public transport is extremely slow since vaporetti have to go long ways around the city quarters, relying on the major canals only; and walking is slow since people who don't know Venice very well are involuntarily and inevitably always taking circuitous ways. So the only quarter where you can't go wrong at all is S. Polo; as far as walking distances, you can't go wrong in S. Marco, either (but there's the problem with tourist crowds, so check back here as soon as you've chosen a hotel - the crowds are walking certain lanes only, so the precise lane matters in S. Marco). Similar problems about being away or not from the crowds in Cannaregio; plus parts of this (large) quarter are way too remote for a three days stay IMO. In Castello, there's only one small area where the crowds are a problem (between the Doge's Palace and S. Zaccaria), but many remote areas, too. Same goes for Dorsoduro, with a smaller remote part; while in S. Croce, even the major part of the quarter is too remote for short stays (no crowds here, though).

Thanks for all the helpful postings. Just checked in to see if I had any responses, was pleasantly surprised . Hopefully will have sometime tomorrow evening to research some of the suggestions. The $149 to $250 range is what I call reasonable; willing to spend somewhat more for better than average lodging. Once again thanks to all those who responded and for any additional post.

Bob & zoecat both have the Hotel al Ponte Mocenigo on their lists. My hubby & I stayed there for 4 nights. We didn't have any trouble with traveling by vaporetto or walking around the city.

My favorite thing was waking up every morning to the smell of fresh bread & croissants baking for breakfast. I would stay there again just for that smell...

I will be staying here next month, its single room is available on your dates:
http://www.allavitedorata.com/

Found it on www.tripadvisor.com in the B&B list, where it gets rave reviews.

Appears Zerlina was right on about "have to stay where you find availability at this late date". After trying virtually all of Bob's and Zoecat's recommendations only to find no available accommodations I began to get somewhat anxious. After exploring numerous available accommodations in prime areas none with sufficient positive reviews I began to get somewhat anxious. I booked the apartment Ai Carmini Residence address Dorsoduro 2604, but when I was booking I thought I was booking an apt. in San Polo but just today realized that it is in Dorsoduro. Now I'm wondering about the convenience of staying in Dorosoduro. From what I can gather it is not too far from the train station. Also the description of views from the apt. sound great but one can only put so much stock in descriptions prepared by the establishment. Anyone familiar with this location or establishment? I can still cancel if I determine it was not a suitable choice. Once again for all the great info.

I think the location in Dorsoduro is fine. Some people like to be closer to San Marco, but I'd prefer this location, given the choice. Carmini Residence is close to Campo Santa Margherita and walkable to many areas. I wouldn't mind it. (And I've been to Venice a dozen times.)

Thanks Ellen. Any other responses from anyone?

I really like the Dorsoduro - the parts of Venice near the main sights can be absolutely jammed. I don't think getting around Venice is particularly slow-going, except when trying to walk thru the crowds at times. But you can easily get to the main sights from Dorsoduro by either walking or taking the vaporetta for a few stops. Plus you are near the Zattare which is a pleasant place to relax. Do a little restaurant research now - its easy to get a very mediocre meal for a high price in Venice.