We presently have two lovely hotels booked in Venice for 3 nights. We think we will love either of them, so it's really down to location. One is in Dorsoduro, barely a quarter mile from the Piazza Roma, which is probably where our transportation will drop us off. The other is pretty right in the middle between San Marco and the Rialto bridge. We plan to spend one day on Murano and Burano so want easy access to the vaporettos, but otherwise just want to be able to wander and feel like we can have a great dinner, maybe hear some music, and enjoy an evening's walk back to our hotel. And of course, the easiest access to and from the airport with luggage! Any experience/thoughts?

This is funny as I also have two reservations at hotels in the same areas but ours in the Dorsodouro is right at the foot of the Accademia bridge. We previously stayed at the one in between Rialto and San Marco, Hotel Serenissima, and really liked it. However, I’ve pretty much decided on the other, Hotel Galleria, which came highly recommend by Starrs. We are traveling with my sisters and BIL on their first trip to Italy and think they will really enjoy being right on the Grand Canal. Prices are about the same for both.

As for which one you should choose, do you like either area better? I loved the location between Rialto and San Marco, so convenient to go,in any direction. I’m a little concerned about getting lost in our new location, but that’s nothing new for us in Venice 😁. Do you have any restaurants planned that are more convenient to one of the areas?

Tracilee, the Hotel Galleria is wonderfully located. You will not get lost. It is right at the foot of the Academia Bridge with a vaporetto stop right there. Just be sure you have reserved a room with private bath. A few rooms have shared or hall bath. There is one large corner room with fabulous views. It is often booked far ahead, but if you are lucky, it is well worth the splurge. Breakfast served in your room is really nice.
We loved being in Dorsoduro at night, and on the Grand Canal early mornings. Some people do not enjoy the sound of boats then, but we loved seeing and hearing the city waking up.

Sassafrass, we did reserve the big room! And I just double checked and all four of our rooms have private baths. I was perfectly content with Hotel Serenissima until you and Starrs started singing the praises of the Galleria. My husband and I have never stayed on the Grand Canal and I think this will be a real treat for my sisters and BIL on their first trip to Italy. Glad you don’t think we’ll get lost! And I’m very excited about all the sights and sounds, luckily I’m used to my husband’s snoring so noise doesn’t bother me😂

The one downside, the hotel is not serving breakfast due to covid restrictions. I was looking forward to breakfast in our room and am kind of keeping my fingers crossed it might return by the time we arrive at the end of May. The hotel emailed this morning to say they have “a convenient agreement for our guests with the beautiful bar right outside our door”. I’m guessing that means our complimentary breakfast will be served there.

Oh, that's too bad about breakfast being suspended at the Hotel Galleria. When we stayed there several years ago(room 10 was fabulous), we absolutely loved our breakfast delivered to us on a silver tray and enjoying it from a table in front of the windows while watching all the morning activity on the Grand Canal just outside. It was quite the scene.

Hazel, yes I’m disappointed but keeping my fingers crossed that breakfast will be reinstated by the end of May!

I stayed in Hotel Flora. I think someone on the forum had suggested it. It had the loveliest outdoor area. Conveniently located too. Love Venice. Enjoy!

TraciLee- I plan to be in Venice in September and would also like to reserve a room at the Galleria Hotel. Do you know which room is the corner room? I saw a "Double best" room on the website, but wasn't sure if this was it. Thanks!

Stricky, I am not sure which room is the corner room? I’m kind of thinking it is the “best room” but I would recommend you email the hotel to ask.

I have emailed with questions several times and they have been very helpful. It looks like a great price to be on the Grand Canal doesn’t it?

Hi tracilee - I did call the hotel and reserved the corner room. I'm delighted and looking forward to my stay in Venice - my first time. Thank you for the recommendation.

The views from that corner room are amazing! Venice is amazing. That area is quiet at night, noisy, of course, in the mornings as Venice wakes up. You will be only a five minute walk from the flower boat and a vegetable and fruit boat, also several good restaurants and about a ten minute walk to the boat place where they build gondolas. That is a great area for gelato. The vaporetto stop is practically at your door.
Make restaurant restaurant reservations. Even if you are walking around and see a place you like, stop and make the reservation for an hour later, it is better than none. They will have a table ready and you will be warmly greeted, much more so than just arriving.

Oh, this makes me so happy! I LOVED everything about the Galleria. We had the big "pink" room and it was amazing. Watching the boats in early morning is one of my favorite memories ever! I stood in the window, eating a peach croissant and was in absolute heaven. We had NO problems with noise. The windows stayed wide open most of the time and we were enchanted. Simply enchanged. My travel friend (also a Fodorite) returned just a few months later and stayed in one of the smaller rooms. I was so envious but I did not have the vacation time to return.

Having breakfast served to the room on the silver platter was just lovely. I hope it resumes before your stay. We brought a bottle of prosecco along with us from Tuscany and enjoyed mimosas in the room. On her return visit, I ordered prosecco to be waiting for her (I think with some munchies too). It sounds like friends are traveling with you? If so, you may want to do the same - order prosecco or wine to be waiting upon arrival. Such a nice touch.

It is impossible to get lost there! You'll get off the vaperetto and the front door is mere steps away. It's a lovely short walk to the other stop, going in the other direction. I loved that little "corner" between the two stops. We ate dinner at a casual restaurant along that walk. Picked up the gondola ride at the little bridge. I attended church at the little church just past the bridge. I can't tell you how many times I think about that area since the trip. My friend found a fabulous treat for our arrival night. She booked a tour of the city on a water taxi. Appetizer and wine was served. It was just magical. The tour ended at the stop at St. Mark's Square but by that time of night it was very foggy. We just followed the others through the fog...and then all of a sudden.... we were there! The first 24 hours were simply magical! As was waking up on my birthday on the Grand Canal. I really lucked out when choosing the Galleria (hdm's/ gtg's favorite hotel was booked) but it turned out to be one of my very favorite hotels ever! I hope you enjoy it even a fraction as much as we did!


We spent HOURS enjoying the view from our windows. LOVED being on the Grand Canal! The last photo is of the reflection of the bridge in the glass of the open window.

Thanks Starrs, you are making me even more excited for our stay in Venice! This will be my three sister and brother-in-law’s first trip to Italy and I think being in the Grand Canal will make it even more special. I only wish, @nd am keeping my fingers crossed, that the breakfast delivery will resume by the time we arrive.

Do you have any restaurants in particular you’d recommend?

Tracilee - I spoke to the hotel this week regarding our own stay there in October. They told me that they are not serving breakfast, but there is a cafe adjacent. Too bad. Since you are traveling before I am, I look forward to your comments or trip report

Yes, they did tell us that breakfast is available next door. That’s better than no breakfast at all, but I was looking forward to a leisurely breakfast while enjoying the view from our room! Oh well, not a deal breaker. I will for sure report back!

tracilee, I'm trying to post a response to your question....without success.
I'll try to post this photo. Our favorite meal location had to be the Florian, although it was just a mid-afternoon snack. Fabulous -

Still no luck. Trying again. Removing links to TA reviews to see if that's the problem

Two restaurants literally steps away -
Trattoria ai Cugnai

Ristorante Agli Aboretti -

According to Google Maps, it's 3 minutes and 250 m from the bridge to both restaurants (walking past the Galleria). Steps away.
Google maps is putting the Galleria in the wrong location, so either use the address or "Ponte dell'Accademia, 30100 Venezia VE, Italy" when mapping.

St. George's church is another minute's walk away and we picked up the gondola next to the little bridge.

The two worst meals on the entire trip were on Murano and then not far off St. Mark's Square. Horrid. I'd return to either restaurant steps away from the Galleria any time I could. In fact I think about both a lot, although neither are fancy. We are not "foodies".

The best snack was at the Florian. I'll post some photos. An afternoon snack of macarons, potato chips and bubbly. Plus that view. Perfection.

P also found a delightful water taxi tour with appetizers and prosecco. We started the trip with that tour on the first evening and it was a wonderful way to start the Venice portion of the trip. I'd do that again in a heartbeat.

I'm glad to hear the Galleria is open again. They were closed due to exterior construction. I'd love to return next year.

Water taxi tour with appetizers and drinks. GREAT way to start the Venice portion of the trip.



I love "night lights" tours and the views from the water taxi were beautiful. Being on the water at night, Venice seemed quieter and so very lovely. The tour ended as we docked in fog. We followed others around a corner...and all of a sudden the fog cleared a bit and we found ourselves in St. Mark's Square. We were both giddy. It was a perfect way to spend the first night in Venice.

The Galleria from the water - from our gondola ride.
Accademia Bridge on the right.
The "pink room" (biggest room in the hotel) is on the far left, middle floor.

Great information, Starrs, thank you! And I just love the photos!! Can’t wait, just over 4 weeks to go…