I've read a lot about hotel locations in Venice and understand that it's relatively small and walkable--we're visiting in early December for four nights (first visit) and I'm considering the Arco Antico guesthouse in San Polo which has nice reviews on TA.

But I can also use my points to get the Best Western Hotel Sant' Elena--obviously these are very different locations.

Is the Best Western too out of the way for a first time visitor? We'll be arriving and leaving by train so I assume San Polo would be more convenient for that.

I'd appreciate any input on these specific locations--

While it's true that Venice is small and easy to navigate, the Saint Elena is a bit out there. It wouldn't be my first choice as far as location, but you can decide for yourself if the savings are worth a bit of inconvenience. The Arco Antico is obviously the better location.

Thanks Vincenzo--no I want the better location. I can use my points for a hotel in Milan which might be a better option.

We stayed at the Sant' Elena and it is really nice. In summer it's great because it has you away from the tourist hordes, a short elegant stroll across a pretty park to the vaporetto, and then you hop on and go anywhere. In winter maybe you don't need to be that far removed, but it is still a little idyll by a convenient vaporetto that docks you at San Marco in a few minutes.

There are a few other Best Western properties in Venice, including the Hotel Ala where friends of ours have enjoyed staying. Or is the Sant'Elena the only one available for your dates using points?

Venice isn't all THAT small. Your hotel location matters.

Jean--The Sant' Elena is the only one available for our dates.

outwest - where is/are the BW hotel/s you are looking at in Milan?

I think that in the winter, I\d want to be staying somewhere pretty central to make the most of the short daylight hours.

annhig--I have the choice of four BW in Milan. BW Hotel Atlantic--near Central Station, BW Hotel Galles near Lima Metro, BW Hotel City on Corso Buenos Aires near Central Station and BW hotel St George near Porta Venezia. There are a couple more but they seem pretty far away.

outwest - there doesn't seem much to choose between the ones in Milan. I think that I would pick the one in the best position for what you want to see with the best reviews. i suspect that position in Venice is much more important than it is in Milan so long as you're near a metro station [but not as near as one of the guests of the Hotel Galles who said she could hear it rumbling underneath her room!]

annhig--that was sortof what I thought. As long as we're close to a convenient metro in Milan I think it will be fine.

St. Elena is a lovely area of Venice IMO and you can take a vaporetto over to the central locations, but San Polo is as you know more central and convenient.

Also IMO it's a nice walk over to San Marco *but* you will traverse the main tourist masses to get there, even in low season, and in the most crowded sections it's not the most pleasant walk.