My family will be in Venice next July for 2-3 nights. We have 2 adults and 2 children (16 and 12 yrs) and would like to find a hotel that can accomodate familys in a non-smoking room. If possible, we would like to stay under 250 euros/night. Does anyone have a good recommendation? In advance, thank you

Hi,
Our family took a 2 week trip to Italy this past summer (2 adults, 3 kids ages 5,14,16). We spent 3 nights in Venice at the Pensione Accademia. We had a 2 room suite on the first floor. The main room was quite large with a king size bed, and a twin bed for my 6 year old. The 2nd room was smaller and had 2 twin beds. We had plenty of space. It was our 3rd time staying at the Pensione Accademia. I love the hotel, it's an oasis in Venice. I know you are looking to stay under 250E, I think we paid 300E, but it is worth the extra money. I have been to Venice several times, and the Accademia is the only place I would stay. We all loved it. Have fun on your tip. My kids loved Italy, and Venice specifically.

Have you considered an apartment? Venicerentals.com gets good reviews here, although I don't know what their minimum stay is.

We stayed in a quad at the Hotel American last summer (Dorsoduro district), close to the Accademia boat stop. The room was small, but beautifully appointed, and free internet access in the lobby. It's in your price range. As for non-smoking room, I don't know. None of us smoke, and I didn't smell any stale smoke in the room, but I don't think we're all that bothered by it one way or the other, so we probably wouldn't have noticed. Stale lingering cheap perfume and b.o. bothers me more.

It also had terrific air conditioning, always a plus in July in Venice.

I'm not sure about quad rooms, but I was very happy with our stay at the Locanda Barbarigo. It is near the Santa Maria del Giglio vaporetto stop, easy walking distance to San Marco and to the Rialto Bridge area. We loved it! Our double was 180E/night during high season this past summer.

We used venere.com to book rooms in Venice and Paris for our recent trip. I found the site easy to use, and was pleased with the hotels. In Venice we stayed in Pensione Wildner. While not a big hotel, it was clean, comfortable, and very well located. The lack of an elevator was not an issue for us, but could be troublesome for some.

Another vote for the Pensione Accademia in the Dorsoduro neighborhood of Venice. A wonderful hotel with a good breakfast and very helpful staff. It was our favorite hotel during our family trip to Italy in June.

We have a family of 5 and booked 2 rooms, a triple and a double.

Ask for a room with a garden view. In my opinion these are better at this hotel. It's on a smaller canal so the canal view isn't as nice as the garden view, in my opinion.

The hotel is in a nice quiet neighborhood, on a smaller canal just off the Grand Canal, just a 2-minute vaporetto ride from the busy San Marco area. You can also walk to San Marco but it's easier to take the vaporetto.

Get a 3-day vaporetto pass for 22 euros each...gives you unlimited on and off privileges.

My family of 4 spent 5 days in Venice in June of 2003. We stayed in a 2 bedroom apartment in the Dorsoduro for around 170 Euros per night. It was a wonderful experience and we had more space than a hotel room for less money.

The apartment we stayed in was Palazzetta DaSchio. Mrs. Da Schio often is booked way in advance but there are many other apartments in Venice to choose from.

I have found the Venice rentals company prices to be very high in comparison to others. Enjoy Venice!

Our family of 4 stayed in the Hotel FLora in a quad room in March '01. I think though ttha it will definitely be more that 250e. Venice was the priciest hotel we stayed in (we also stayed in quad/family rooms in FLorence, ROme and Orvieto).

You can get an apartment for four for 102 Euros per night through this church-run guesthouse:

http://www.diaconiavaldese.org:8080/...ia/index_e.htm

I currently have a quad room (actually 2 seperate but adjoining rooms) reserved for April at Locando Orseolo. 260 Eur.

Try the Hotel Galleria near the Accademia Bridge.

www.hotelgalleria.it