Don't waste your money on Venice Card. Most companies don't take it and/or never heard of it. Also, The Hotel Danieli(5 stars) is over rated.
It is old and moldy (literally moldy). There was so much mold that we moved to another hotel. Beware. Venice can be fun but the star system is suspect.

Hi j,

Thanks for the warning.

The star system is based on the amenities offered, not on how well those amenities are kept.

That is why many hotels with one less star are often recommended.

ira is absolutely correct. There are some great properties that can never be more than 1-stars because they don't have conference rooms and check-in is in a room separate from the entrance that guests use to get to their rooms.

They might have spacious, clean rooms; superb service; the best restaurant and bar in town; knockout views of the Alps or the Grand Canal; gold-plated bath fixtures, Select-Comfort beds, turn down service, etc.--but they'll never have more than a 1-star rating in Italy.

When I visited Venice, I stayed at a supposedly 4* hotel in Mestre. First of all, it was a mistake to stay in Mestre and not in the Venice, but this 4* hotel was nastier than any 1* hotel I've ever seen. The rooms were dirty, tiny, and there was an obscene drawing on the ceiling above my bed. I guess the hotel saw no reason to paint over it. I think some hotels rate themselves, because nobody in their right mind would have ever given this dump a 4* rating.

My oh my, mold in a very old, elegant hotel completely surrounded by water. Isn't that strange?

Sorry, Giovanna,

I have stayed in old hotels in Venice and not have had any problems with mold.

No need to be sorry Ira. I just find it a little ridiculous to stay at supposedly one of the best hotels (certainly more than we could afford) in one of the most romantic beautiful cities in the world, and all you can post is a complaint about mold. Perhaps it would have been better not to post, but it just struck me as a bit bizarre.

THE AL GAMBERO HOTEL on Calle dei Fabbri was great in 1999 trip. Don't know the stars, but the rooms were clean, people nice and food good...plus easy to afford. We just walk in the lobbies of the other joints.