Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Venice for Anniversary

Unfortunately, Venice DOES have a problem with the "bait and switch" hotels-a proprietor buys another hotel, which may, or may not, be near the one YOU believe you're staying at, and then, once you get there, they make the excuse "oh sorry, the pipes are broken, etc., but, we have this other hotel not too far away-we're going to put you THERE." And off you go, there's nothing you can do about it. The San Moise hotel is really bad about that, but because of the complaints they've gotten, they've starting advising guests before they get there that they'll put them in their Fortuny annex. I don't like that, and wouldn't patronize any establishment that had complaints about that sort of thing-there are TOO many great places to stay in Venice that WON'T try that with you to have to worry about one that will!

Andie-you will be going at the highest high season-so you need to be prepared for a CRUSH of tourists during that time period, there are as many as 150,000 tourists A DAY in the city in June (they leave at night). I would advise, therefore, that you might want to stay up in Cannaregio during that time period-for a more authentic, and a bit less crushed by tourists experience-and there are MANY great properties that I think would fit what you're looking for.

First of all, and for a splurge, about trying the new CA SEGREDO? One palazzo down from the Ca'd'Oro vaporetto stop, one of the most elegant 15th century palazzos, with its own new restaurant, its own Bar- L'Incontro-works of art from the Venetian Renaissance masters,-you COULD NOT BE better located-When I was in Venice in March, this was getting ready to open, and the rates are quite reasonable-right on the Grand Canal, a real historic property-with Tiepolo ceilings,-42 rooms and suites, around 300E a night. It's listed in Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Check it out-the frescos in this hotel are INCREDIBLE. The location is wonderful-right across the canal from the Rialto fish and vegetable market-some of the suites have views-and on the other side, the views of the always fascinating Strada Nova-within a few minutes walk from many great trattoria.

http://www.slh.com/italy/venice/phot...s1_vensag.html

Another luxury hotel I'd VERY seriously consider for a romantic anniversary in Venice for this time period is the off-the-beaten track in East Cannaregio BOSCOLO GRAND HOTEL DEI DOGI-this is a GORGEOUS property, Andie, but why would I recommend it? First, because it is a beautiful ancient palazzo-for the romantic effect at night, you CAN'T beat this for atmosphere, plus, it has a lovely, VAST garden in the back with a view of the lagoon, and the lagoon islands-and in the hot summer month of June, this is exactly what I'd want-a cool garden AND a lagoon view, to have a drink to rest and marvel at the surroundings. The garden itself is 2,000 square meters, and has this ancient 400 year old underground icebox that you can visit-way cool, I think! But here's the best part-you want to go down to San Marco, to eat at the Hotel Danieli's great rooftop restaurant in summer (highly recommended for a splurge) then this hotel has FREE DAILY CANAL BOAT SERVICE TO SAN MARCO. This you will not find in Venice! The Dei Dogi is a hotel situated where you will not be hassled by the crush of tourists-really romantic. And if you arrive at the Venice airport, you can take the Alilaguna Arancia line, get off at Madonna dell Orto, and be right there at the hotel for only 12 Euro.

Check out these pictures:

http://www.boscolohotels.com/eng/hot...dogi/gaden.htm

There are some wonderful local trattoria in this area- I don't generally like to recommend trattoria unless I know where the poster is staying-because 9 times out of 10 you don't end up going to to the places that people tell you in various parts of the city-you go to those that are near your hotel, in the area where you are staying. So if you stay in this area, there are great ones, as well as excellent bacari-Venetian wine bars- to explore.

One thing I can say, there are few, if any, places in the world that have such a fantastic variety of unique, ancient, historic hotel and rental properties as Venice-from one star, to five star properties, you can find something unique in the properties available-even when staying at a monastery- both ends of the travel spectrum can experience the splendors of historic Venice in their accomodation choices-Venice offers something for everyone.

For example, for those more budget-minded travelers, there is a new two star property located right by the Casino in San Marcuola/Cannaregio-ideally located-close to EVERYTHING-with its own beautiful small garden-with a pomegranate tree in the back, (I'm really into the gardens of Venice, btw-they are lovely!) where breakfast and snacks are served-it's called "LOCANDA DEL MELOGRANO" (fittingly, house of the pomegranate-I love that!) very reasonable rates, basic accomodation around 80-150 Euro/nt. Check it out:

http://www.locandadelmelograno.it/