I'm looking for a moderate-priced hotel steps away from St. Mark's and major transportation stops. Savoia & Jolanda is out of my budget, but I could handle its "sister" hotel, Villa Igea. I think its location will be of great benefit during our visit in December when the weather could be bad and flooding is likely. I want the trip (8 nights: Venice, Florence, Rome) to be as enjoyable as possible within my means.

Is there a hotel in the 140 Euros or less range I'm overlooking with the advantages of Villa Igea? Is Violino D'oro as convenient to the major transportation stops? Or any others that aren't too pricey? Or pricey ones worth the splurge for convenience as well as atmosphere?

Albergo Doni www.albergodoni.it is steps away from St. Marks and a double en suite runs 120 Euro max. It is a small, family run place and some rooms look out on a small side canal. I stayed there once and found it basic but very clean with caring management. Another option that is a little more expensive and further from St. Marks is Locanda Fiorita. It is next to Campo St. Stefano near the Academia bridge -about a 5-10 minute walk to St. Marks. A double en suite maxes at 135-145 Euro. We enjoyed our stay there too, but beware of one room in their annex around the corner that has a ceiling slope seriously reducing the room's usable size.

Hello,
I found a hotel at the foot of the accademia bridge for 155 a night. Now this is for their deluxe double room with canal views. They have others that are less. Their website is hotelgalleria.it. I have a reservation there for the end of feb. The reviews I've read all say this is a nice hotel. The only downside is that some of the rooms are small.

Hope this helps, Donna

I'll second the Dorsoduro recommendation - you're minutes to St. Mark's by walking (which, if you're able, you'll want to do anyway) or even quicker by vaporetto across the Grand Canal. A nice, quiet, neighborhood with numerous bars, restaurants & the luxury of night-time strolls on the lagoon side with almost no sales pitch!

Judy, since you asked about Violino d'Oro's location, I'll reply to that portion. I stayed in the hotel behind it (Hotel Anastasia...which I highly recommend and is somewhat cheaper than Violino!), and was a total of maybe 1 minute on foot to Piazza San Marco, and I got my luggage from the Alilaguna stop at San Marco to the hotel in under 5 minutes albeit over two bridges. I found the location extremely convenient, and I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again. Extremely quiet too, and it shares a courtyard with a very upscale swanky hotel (the Bauer or Westin? I can't remember which). The one drawback would be no canal view rooms at the Anastasia, but if you click my name you will see my take on "canal view" for the Violino specifically (ie - the gondolier station out front --noisy-- and having to look straight down from your window to see the canal).

Check out Hotel Bisanzio near the San Zaccaria vaporetto stop. http://www.bisanzio.com/index.htm
The December rates seem within your price range. The location was an easy walk to San Marco, the room pleasant and clean, terrific breakfast, charming staff who spoke English well.

monorailgold - the Galleria is a very nice place in a great location. The Locanda Fiorita is on the other side of the bridge walking about 100 yards to the Campo should the Galleria not work out for any reason. I hope you get that canal view.

You can also try the Ca' Morosini which is owned by Locanda Fiorita and is located around the corner from them.

http://www.camorosini.com/eng/hotel.html

Thank you, all! You've given me plenty of homework to do.

I'm wondering if most hotels are close enough to restaurants that it doesn't matter in the worst (it could happen) weather if the hotel doesn't have a restaurant?

I booked at the Metropole. One night is reasonable, the next night (Friday, Dec. 22) is 90 Euros more, but what the heck. I'm just not willing to risk being unhappy with my choice, and I think the Metropole will be very nice. Thanks for all your input.