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It depends. We liked the Orseolo for the people running the hotel and the Aqua Palace for the beauty of the place (rooms and common areas). The location of both is excellent.

Hi Julie, thanks for clarifying re Ca'Pisani - I've now checked the street on my trusty street map and realise which hotel it is - we must have walked past it lots of times but I evdidently haven't noticed the name. It is indeed a great location, it sounds very nice and I'll bear it in mind for if we are lucky enough to get a long term apartment in Dosoduro and have friends or family visitingI !

Just to follow up, we stayed at Locanda Orseolo--what a wonderful place! Everything was great--the hosts, the hospitatlity, the rooms, the breakfast, and the location. We would definitely stay there again.

hi wren, thanks for coming back

which rooms did you have and what were they like?

My husband and I had a room on the 2nd floor (American 3rd) with a canal view. I must admit at times it was a little noisy, but the views were tremendous. The room was beautiful too! The other room , on a higher floor, had no view, which was unfortunate...but it was totally quiet. The decor of the canal view room was a little newer--but they said they are in the midst of updating all the room.

did you feel it made a difference having the view - or not? I'm presently spending a lot of time away, and have deliberately booked a room with a view, rather than not. i know that I don't spend much time in there in the day, but i like opening the curtains before I go to bed, and being able to wake up with the view.

perhaps the fact that the view rooms only cost another £10 per night helps!

I have to admit that opening the curtains in the morning and watching the people was mesmerizing. One day we went back to take a rest before going out that night, and the noise from the street made it difficult to dose off...that may or may not affect your choice.

I would still prefer a room with a canal view, however. When we were there, there was scaffolding on the courtyard side as apparently there will be renovations soon in progress...that was another negative to the rooms with no view.

The hotel is wonderful either way--the lobby is a very comfortable place to sit and relax. The staff couldn't have been more accomodating!

Are you taking a vaporetto or water taxi into Venice?

wren, my question, sadly, was theoretical. i asked the question as i thought that it might be helpful for the OP and other posters.

one unexpected advantage of the "room with a view" where i am staying now, is that once the adjoining pub closes at 10pm, and the revellers on the terrace go home, i enjoy perfect silence apart from the birds. IME this is pretty rare, even in Venice where a canal view may also bring canal noises.

Aah--you are there right now! Lucky you!

More about a room with canal view: The deliveries to shops and restaurants began fairly early in the morning--so if you are a late sleeper, it might be an issue. Also, people go down the street at all hours of the night occasionally talking in loud voices--I guess they forget people in the buildings are trying to sleep!

I would still opt for a canal view though!