PeggyE

Hello,
For the 3 days we will have in Venice, I am looking for a romantic hotel, with a pretty view, relaxed but upscale, not pretentious staff than can help with restaurant info etc. I picture walking around the city, gondola rides at sunset, outdoor cafes, but I do like modern amenities like a large bathroom & mini-bar. And preferably "as easy as we can make it", transferring from dropping our car somewhere to the vaporette & then to the hotel so I don't have to cart luggage too far. Any ideas?? I have seen so much on the internet I am totally confused. The preceding 11 days are falling into place, but I need to tackle the last 3 days in Venice and figure something out. Thank you!!

almesq

You didn't mention your price range, but I highly recommend Palazzo Sant'Angelo. (sinahotels.com). It's a small luxury hotel, right on the Grand Canal between Rialto and San Marco. It's only a couple of years old, so everything is very new and modern, even though it has antique looking Venetian decor. Room was very large, with walk-in closet and large marble bathroom. Very convenient, as it has a vaporetto stop literally right outside its door (the hotel entrance is actually right on the Grand Canal). You can also take a private water taxi right to the front door. We really enjoyed it, and it was actually one of our favorite hotels that we have ever visited. While it is certainly not "cheap," the rates are much better than what you can find at one of the larger luxury hotels, such as the Bauer. Also, on the web site, they usually show a "best web" rate, that was lower than anything we found for the hotel at any other web site.

almesq

Forgot to mention, we paid the extra money for a room with a balcony right on the Grand Canal. Nothing was more romantic than standing outside on the balcony (small balcony!) watching the sun set over the water.

enzian

If that one is too expensive, try a view room at Pensione la Calcina, with views over the Guidecca canal. The staff is very kind, and the rooms are nice (I'm not sure about the mini-bar, though). They have a rooftop terrace that you can reserve for private use for an hour---perfect at sunset. Walk up the Zattere to the Billa grocery store and buy a bottle of wine to enjoy on the terrace.

suze

Funny, I also was thinking of La Calcina because it seems a terribly romantic hotel to me, especially the front rooms with a view of the Guidecca canal. But it is "only" a 3-star, there are no minibars (or weren't when I was there) and bathrooms are not particularly large or modern. That said, you can get drinks from room service and it is close to a vaporetto stop. See what you think for yourself www.lacalcina.com

dcd

Foscari.hotelinvenice.com is very romantic. But they only have a couple of rooms with a direct view of the canal and I think they are the suites. You could call and inquire.

PeggyE

Thank you! This has narrowed down the field. I am not TOO concerned with price, I doubt if we will go again so I'm willing to pay as long as it is worth it. I can't seem to find the right path through sinahotels.com website. Any hints? The websites I did get to did not let me price a jr. suite. Did you book direct to the hotel? La Calcina look interesting also, I am going to look into the ones mentioned but Palazzo Sant'Angelo looks so close to what I was picturing! No problem with the vaporette being right outside the door? Noise level? Any room recommendations? Does the hotel face the Grand Canal & a side canal? Thank you for the info everyone!!

almesq

I just checked and got there through the sinahotels web site. Click on Venice and it takes you to the hotel's home page, where you can check rates and make reservation. I just tried it and it worked. Here's the link to the hotel home page--click on "online reservations" and go from there.
I did book right on the hotel site, as their best web rate was the best rate I found.
We got the Deluxe Double and paid extra for the Grand Canal view room. I do not believe the other rooms look at a side canal, there is no side canal right next to hotel. We also had no problem at all with noise from Vaporetto. You could hear it if you listened, but it certainly did not bother us at all.
If you'd like, you can email me your email address and I'll be happy to email you some pictures of our room. You can email me at [email protected].

http://www.sinahotels.com/frame.php?...gelo/index.php

PeggyE

Thank you almesq...I am sending you an e-mail...and would love a picture!!