We will arrive in Venice mid afternoon after flying into Milan, spending three nights mid May. Can anyone recommend a good area/hotel to stay? We're a family of four, kids are adults. Al Ponte Antico is booked. We would like to be on a canal, but it doesn't necessarily have to be the Grand Canal. Also, should the hotel be near the train station so we can walk? I've heard that the water taxi's are expensive. Appreciate your comments. This is our first trip!

Water taxis are expensive but vaporettos easy to sue as long as you aren't hauling tons of luggage - and very cheap.

It would help if you told us:

1) you budget
2) are you looking for a family room for 4 or 2 regular rooms

We are looking for either a 2 bedroom apartment, or a 1 bedroom with a sleep sofa in the living room. Budget is @ $350/nite. We agree with the light luggage. Definitely easier to haul through Europe, on and off trains etc.

Check with venicerentals.com for an apt. We used them, and it worked out fine.

How long are you staying in Venice? Because apartments might work for you.

Peter, 3 nights. Really enjoyed your blog!

Here is a flat that I've rented and it is fabulous....well within your budget and ON the Grand Canal.
http://www.tiepoletto.com/

You might consider the Locanda Orseolo which has lovely rooms facing a small canal. It's the sister hotel of Al Ponte Antico.

www.locandaorseolo.com

As long as each person has one reasonably sized bag on wheels you don't have to limit yourself to walking distance from the train station. It's easy to use the vaporetto (like a public bus only it's a boat) to get to other parts of the city from the train station.

I stayed here twice www.lacalcina.com besides the hotel they have some apartments.

Palazzo Guardi has rooms well within your price range that overlook the San Trovaso Canal. It is in the Accademia/Dorsoduro area, an excellent Venice location with numerous restaurants, many of which attract locals. We stayed there, liked it a lot and would stay there again. Our room was large and lovely with a beautiful view over the canal to a church across the way. www.palazzoguardivenice.com My TR has a more detailed description.

The pictures on this site,unlike others, really do depict the rooms accurately.

Thank you all

http://www.ca-satriano.com/

We stayed at the above B&B. It's is on a lovely little side canal, just off of the Grand Canal. It has three bedrooms and a very nice kitchen. We had the whole place to ourselves. They come each morning to make breakfast and clean. After that you are on your own with a key to the house. If you do not require a staff, it's quite lovely and private. It is an easy walk to almost anywhere as the location is quite central.