Venice
 

I am traveling to Venice in May. In order to save a little money and get out of the busy city, I located three hotels from Fodor's Rivage book. Two are in Lido; the Albergo Quattro Fontane and the Hotel Villa Mabapa. Can anyone tell me if Lido is a good place to stay? Or has anyone stayed at either of these hotels and can give me some advice as to which rooms to ask for? The other hotel is about 18 kilometers north of Venice and called the Hotel Villa Condulmer? Has anyone stayed there? Thanks for any and all respones!!

I stayed on the Lido a few years ago and I liked it because I was driving a car and was able to take a car ferry to the Lido. So I avoided car parking fees and did not have to take my bags from the car and carry them and use a pedistrian ferry. I was able to drive right up to the hotel and could drive around the Lido. We used the pedistrian ferries to visit the other islands of Venice.

We have been to Venice for about a week every year for the past four years.I would not want to stay at the Lido.It is too far away for going back and forth any time you want to. We like to stay in Venice,not in the center where it is crowded, but in the Castello district where it is only a five or ten minute walk from San Marco, but it is very uncrowded and you see mostly local Venetians- the children playing ball on the piazzas and the adults buying fruit and vegetables and walking their babies and dogs.Our favorite area of Castello is close to Santa Maria Formosa .We stayed at a hotel near there for 150,000 lire in November.There are several good , but inexpensive hotels or pensiones suggested in Frommer's Europe on $50 a Day.There is nothing more fun than to be able to be close enough to walk over to San Marco Piazza any time you want to, especially at night when most of the tourists have gone- it is beautiful then,music,the cafes, paintings, moonlight and not at all crowded.Also, there are lots of convenient and not too expensive places to eat in that area- our favorite ,Vino, Vino ,is near the Fenice, and Frommer's $50 a Day has other very reliable and reasonable suggestions for eating.The cheapest reliable suggestions for Venice came from that book, although we certainly used other books, too, such as Fodor's and Rick Steves.

My husband and I stayed in Venice in May at the Hotel Galleria ($90) NEXT to the Accademia bridge in the Dorsoduro area. I LOVED Venice and would never think of staying anywhere else (like the Lido). Venice is a delight both day and night. No cars No noise (like Rome or Naples). Do stay in the heart of Venice and ENJOY!

Sally, what is the name of your hotel? Lift? In-room toilet and shower? Thanks. <BR>

My wife was born and raised in Venice and we visit every year. Years ago, I lived on Lido for nine months. For a short visit, I strongly recommend that you stay in the city. It makes everything so much easier and you can return to your room to rest up between sightseeing trips. During one trip we stayed at the Concorde, right on San Marco square, and found it to be a nice place. It's been renovated since. Sally's comments are on the mark - in Venice you're never more than a minute away from a quiet, interesting little street or square.

We stayed at Locanda Silva two times- not fancy, but we like the location, close to Santa Maria Formosa and quiet and inexpensive.It has rooms with showers, but there are stairs rather than an elevator.We have also stayed at Locanda Remedio which is in the same neighborhood, but is more expensive, but lovely big rooms with everything you might want.We would like to stay at Pensione Casa Verardo but it has always been full. We have heard very good things about it.

If you wish to save some money, I don't understand why you are staying on the Lido. Lido island has a beach, but I think it is overall more expensive, and you are not close to the heart of Venice. Also, staying 18 KM away is not convenient either. Venice is NOT a "busy city." No cars are allowed so there is no noise. I've been to Venice twice and I stayed at a hotel called the El Gobbo, right on the main walk way about a 5-minute walk from the train station. We paid $75/night for a clean room with a full bathroom. It's not elegant, but it has a lot of charm and it overlooked the Via di Spagnia. As soon as you get off the train, go to the hotel information /tourist office in the train station. They can give you current rates and directions to the hotel, or any other hotel on the main island. Make sure you spend a lot of time exploring the narrow alleys. Note the unique architecture (windows and doorways)and the canal views. If you like artistic glassware, you must go to Murano. Don't miss a tour of the Doges Palace. Venice is our favorite place.

As John says, the Lido is a nice place to stay if you have a car. I liked the Lido - quiet and no fuss. I found taking the boats to and fro quite easy, and liked being part of the daily rush of local inhabitants. As others point out, it is not as easy to just pop back to your hotel for a breather. Regardless, the Lido is still a very real possibility.