I will be in Venice for three nights in late November. I have read the over the top reviews for Locanda Orseola near San Marco and want to know if this is as good as everyone says. I am also looking at the Ca' Pisani in Dorsoduro which seems like a much better value and much more modern. This will be my first visit to Venice and I enjoy lots of walking. The Dorsoduro neighborhood seems less touristy and more representative of real Venetian life.
Is the Ca' Pisani too far from the "major sights" that I will be regretting staying on the Dorsoduro side of the Canal. Will the tourist traffic be less intense in November? Should I look for a hotel on the Grande Canal or closer to the Rialto area? Also have looked at the Novecento Palace? Any ideas?

Any suggestions from experienced Venice travelers would be appreciated?
Thanks
Gate73

Personally, I prefer staying in the Dorsoduro area and avoid staying near San Marco. Venice is small enough that you will have no problem visiting the major sights, or any part of Venice, from Dorsoduro. (Experience: I've been to Venice a dozen times.)

Yes, November should have fewer tourists.

Ca'Pisani is just past the Accademia Bridge, so it's in a pretty well-touristed area as well. It is indeed modern and very very stylish. I personally prefer the San Marco area because I'm used to it and precisely because it IS tourist central, but that's me. Haven't stayed at Orseolo, but have never read a bad thing about it, as long as you're not expecting a full-service hotel. November will be less hectic, and bring rain gear. I have a long Venice file; if you'd like to see it, email me at
ESL1051 at yahoo dot com

We have stayed close to San Marco, and also in Dorsoduro. San Marco was good for a short trip, but it did feel a bit hectic, lot of tourist pressure even in mid-Winter. Dorsoduro is more quiet, and about 20 minutes walk from San Marco and Rialto. We are staying there again this year. There’s a get together in Venice – and a thread is running of Fodors, planning on the end of November. So far it is a get together of one person – me.

Be aware of the 'acqua alta'. I was in Venice last November and the 'acqua alta' (flooding) was very bad. I stayed in an apartment at Salizada San Lio, not far from the Rialto Bridge and we had lots of water. I would recommend to stay as far as possible from Piazza San Marco.
Look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MR1BKb12olI

That’s quite a good call regarding aqua alta, although most hotels maintain a supply of rubber boots. Late November is certainly heading into the aqua alta season, but it’s just part of the Venetian experience. Inundation is heaviest in San Marco, the lowest point in the city. Our street in Dorsoduro flooded about eight or ten times in a two month period, to a depth of say 8 inches. Venetians don’t care much about it – it’s business as usual.

This page gives some info, especially what the tide levels actually mean in terms of inundation. Remember, it is a tide, not a flood, so the water level does drop quickly once the tide turns. You can get trapped by the crowds on the walkways in San Marco when it floods, as tourists move pretty slowly. The locals don their waders and storm along.
http://www.veniceword.com/weather.html

If the flooding is too bad, then we'll be suffering it too. We're in Venice from November 20th to January 20th. Might bump into you!

Just about ALL of Venice is "touristy" whatever that means. I have stayed at the Orseolo and it is everything and more of the rave reviews it gets. It is in a small courtyard area that is no more different than any other area of the city. Their personal service,attention to detail, etc. is second to none in the city.