Venice Hotel - 3 Choices - Help Me Out!
 

OK, now that I have my Rome accomodations settled, I am on to finalizing my Venice accomodations. The three finalists are listed below. I appreciate any info or recomendations! Thanks very much.

Hotel Locanda Gaffaro
Dorsoduro 3589 - 30123
euro 135.00

Locanda Sant' Agostin
Campo Sant'Agostin
San Polo
euro 185.00 (canal view & balcony)

Hotel al Piave
Ruga Giuffa, Castello
euro $175.00

topping

We stayed at the Locanda Sant' Agostin last year.

We were quite pleased. The small hotel is run by two brothers and had been completely reovated within the last few years.

Our room was VERY large with very high ceilings. IT was tastefully decorated with modern upscale furnishings. The modern, marble, bathroom had a shower. The room was air-conditioned....but the lights and a/c would only work when you inserted a "key" that was attached to your room key... so the a/c was off when you left the hotel and turned in the room key.

We were pleasantly surprised with the overall quality of the the hotel. We considered it a "find"

IT is in a good location...although it isn't easy to find.

Our room was not considerd a canal view..although if I stuck my head outside the window....I could see the side canal.

The hotel arranged a water taxi for our return to the airpot...that picked us up right a the hotel.

I would defintely stay their again.

Thanks, Dick.

I am certain that the Locanda Sant Agostin is a "find", too. I know we will be happy there. I was trying to come u p with a bit more of an "economical" place, thus the Locanda Gaffaro.

The Gaffaro gets glowing reviews on tripadvisor
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...ce_Veneto.html

Most people love staying in Dorsudoro. I'd do it for that big a difference in price. I would read all the reviews on tripadvisor first though (I just read the headlines).

mclaurie: Thanks for the tips. All three places get glowing reviews at tripadvisor.com. So, that helps me feel good about each, but not feel better about one or the other!

My main concern is if the Locanda Gaffaro is too far from the main areas of Venice. I am getting the feeling that nothing is TOO FAR away.

More thoughts, please!

Well I've done a bit of reading up on the Gaffaro and the Sant Agostin (I'd discount the Al Piave). According to reviewers on tripadvisor (so not scientific or necessarily accurate :) ) the Gaffaro is 20 mins walk to San Marco and the Sant Agostin in 15 mins. Both have minimal cold breakfast so it seems the main difference is the view and the balcony. I loved having a water view (stayed at the Accademia) but it's hard to tell someone else how much that's worth. If the extra money won't break the bank and if you're there for a short time, go for the view at the Agostin and splurge. If, on the other hand, you don't spend that much time in your room and would just as soon use the money towards dining or shopping :S-go for the Gaffaro. A third option, have a look at the Wildner. This place was recommended by poster Bailey Zimmerman and she raves about the views, the location and the manager, Elizabetta. Good luck.

mclaurie:

Thanks for the insight. I am most interseted in why you chose to not consider the Al Piave?

Seen mixed reviews about Al Piave. For example, see "Fluffy's Trip Report" from last year --- http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451379

It was exactly Fluffy's experience that made me "erase" the Al Piave from Venice. The only reason she stayed there was because she needed a room for 3 under a certain price. If you're 3 or 4 I think it's ok, but for a couple, there are too many better options to consider it.

I did see Fluffy's report, but noted that it is the only negative comment I can find about Al Piave. As a result, I take it with a grain of salt. When there are repeat issues as there are with other places, then I really take notice.