I know there's a million posts about Venice hotels, and it is truly overwhelming trying to choose. So sorry!

So my husband really wants a balcony to have cocktails in the afternoon. We like coming back to our hotel in the afternoon... napping, showering cocktailing and reading. BUT, Im balking at the prices. We tend to be picky about hotels -- usually like something 4star or better. Does anyone have a recommendation for a nice hotel with balcony for $400-500 night or less?

Otherwise, how neccesary are balconies? Does anyone know of a room with a view that has huge windows so a balcony is redundant? Or is there a hotel with a great public terrace we could stay at?

I'd rather spend less and pick a hotel with a terrace where cocktails are served. Check out La Calcina as one example.

http://www.lacalcina.com/

A terrace is always a "want", never a "need". How bad do you want one? You're going to pay for it. Here are a few Venice hotels that have rooms w/ private terrace:

http://www.locandacavaleri.com/it/ ("budget" - telephone to reserver the room with private terrace)

http://www.hotelfontana.it/eng/index.htm (mid-range)

http://www.locandavivaldi.it/venice-...ace-venice.htm (upper range)

A little balcony is nice, I suppose, but unless you have an enormous budget I don't think it's good value.

One of the joys of Venice (or anywhere in Italy) is sitting outside at a bar or cafe in a pleasant piazzetta (little square), lingering over a drink and watching the people and water traffic pass by. Instead of a room with a balcony, I'd instead find a comfortable hotel that's in a good location -- maybe somewhere relaxed like San Polo -- then enjoy the afternoon drinks outside.

Ten years ago we stayed at Locando Leon Bianco. I just checked and it is generally quite well reviewed on Trip Advisor. I sent a friend to stay there about 5 years ago and she liked it as well. While we didn't have a balconey, the floor to ceiling windows opened out to a Grand Canal view and one of the best things in the late afternoon/evenings was to sit at the little table at the window, drinking a glass of wine while watching all the traffic on the canal headed "away" for the night and toasting & waving to the folks on the vaporettos (vaporetti?) who were clearly imagining themselves in our place

It's more like a B&B than a hotel, but the staff is excellent, the rooms are big and the location is excellent. I think it's about as "budget" priced as you will find with a Grand Canal view... probably around $200/night.

If you really want one you can find them - athough they are very rae. But do be preared to pay - I don;t think $400 (only 265 euros is going to do it).

We usualy choose a hotel that has a nice bar either on the roof or on a balcony/terrace.

I can understand the desire to sit on your balcony to enjoy a view with drinks because that's exactly what I wanted in Santorini, Greece, but honestly in my opinion (having been to Venice twice now), I found there are just so many great places to sit and enjoy drinks while absorbing the amazing feeling of being in Venice, and all the beauty it affords, than sitting in my room. On our first trip we had a balcony but found we hardly used it. But if privacy and downtime is your thing, I'd recommend something overlooking the Rialto Bridge area...lots of people watching, lots going on.

On our recent trip we had large windows overlooking a small canal and a very small balcony. But frankly, we were rarely in the room. We much preferred to sit in a campo for drinks or even in our small hotel sitting area that had open windows on the canal.

I am blanking on the locanda we stayed in two years ago (I will continue to check my files), but it was small, reasonable and we took a large room because it had a small balcony overlooking the canal.

Many respondents here mentioned that you won't need a balcony because you can enjoy a drink on a restaurant patio. But you said you like to come back to your room and relax with a drink. That being the case, I would say YES! If you are on a canal, make sure you get a balcony--especially if you are going during nice weather.

Most are only large enough to stand on (no chairs), but that's all you need to enjoy the serenade of the passing gondoliers, the sunset on the water, the lights coming on all over Venice... We rented an apartment last year because we were so many (took the whole family) and I missed having a balcony. Frankly, it's now a "must" for me, as a Venice visitor.

Thanks all for the help!

The balcony thing is a personal decision, just can't get me and the hubby on the same page!

Does anyone have any more recommendations for a hotel that has a stellar view with giant windows. I mean, if you can't even sit on most balconies -- what's the point?! I'll take big windows and a great view....

When are you going? If it's any time between now and early September you may find that the heat / humidity are high, and the last thing you want to do in the middle of the afternoon is sit on a small balcony in the direct afternoon sun.

My recommendation has been made above already, La Calcina. Their corner rooms have huge windows and expansive views out over the Guidecca canal. There is also a terrace over the water where they serve breakfast and drinks. And a private rooftop terrace, that's a wonderfully kept secret, that you can reserve. It's not a 5 star and doesn't cost $500 but it is a very nice hotel imo.

We are going end of September, early October.
La Calcina is booked already

Ah too bad. It's deservedly a very popular hotel.

Ok so still obsessing about what to do. Now decided on hotel room with big windows that would also have a beautiful & public outside terrace or balcony that we could use too.

bardo1 you recommended Locanda Vivaldi above.... it has the big windows and a gorgeous terrace. Do you have any other input about it? Anyone else? The room looks beautiful and the view is outstanding overlooking St Mark's Basin. Any input about its location?

The other in the running is AD Place. The decor is beautiful and modern. Very trendy. The rooftop terrace looks plush, but not much for view. I can get a room with a view for quite a bit less. But I think this place is more out of the way and Im not sure its going to be a great view. Any input would be appreciated.

And theres the Hotel Rialto which also has big windows and a good location I think. But can't seem to tell if there's a terrace.

Any other suggestions would be great. Thanks!

Otel.com cash back and facebook discount on the

Www. bauervenzia.com

Breakfast cocktails on the grand canal far more amazing than any balcony

Awesome for me when there in May.

Happy Hunting,

stevie,

I have only walked by Locanda Vivaldi - it's way out of my price range. It's next to some other 4-5 star properties (Hotel Londra, Metropole, etc.) that also have stellar views. I mentioned it because it has rooms with actual private terraces for sitting as well as rooms with "standing balconies". It's in a stellar location.

I have stayed at the Westin Europa and Regina and it had a balcony overlooking the grand canal. This hotel is simply amazing.

Thanks JillDavis - but Europa is a bit more than I want to spend.

Sorry don't mean to be a pest but anyone have anymore suggestions for a hotel with big windows with gorgeous view and a beautiful public terrace/bar/outdoor seating area.

Or does anyone have more feedback on Locanda Vivaldi, AD Place or Hotel Rialto.
Im leaning toward Locanda Vivaldi -- a deluxe room with view (no private balcony). Im just worried the location (while having a spectacular view) might be too busy.

For another idea of a view, look at Hotel Violino D'Oro. It has a rooftop terrace. There's a gondola station right in front with views of the gondolas coming and going and lots of people watching.

Some rooms at the Hotel American Dinesen in Dorsoduro have small balconies overlooking a canal, and the Foscari Palace has a rooftop deck overlooking the Grand Canal.