Anyone have a good recommendation for a hotel in Venice at or under $150.00 per night? I would prefer a central location or one on the canal but i heard it smells! Is this true? Does the canal really stink? Thanks!

Yes, the canal is not the most pleasant smell. It does not stink to the extent that you cannot breathe however. About 6 years ago, I stayed at a pension called Casa Paganelli on Riva Del Schiavonne (or something like that). At the time it was about $90/night. If you are interested, I can dig up the phone number. It was a 5 min. walk from the Square. We had a room that did overlook the canal and it had 3 beds and a fairly modern bathroom.

The Casa Verardo is a small family run pensione right on a little canal. The rooms are lovely, with painted Venetian furniture, and windows over the canal. The cost per night was around $100 last November. I highly recommend this quaint and romantic hideaway for any traveler who wishes to be near but not ontop of all the sites.

I have been to Venice four times at various times of the year and have never smelt any stink from canals at all. No smell whatsoever.......and I have a sensative nose for smells too. I really don't know what this rumor is all about. I have never met an actual person who says this.......I just see this strange rumor sometimes in print from strangers.

I have been 8 monhs in Vencie during the past two years and never experienced any disturbing smell coming gfrom the canal. The average city smells worst during a hot day than Venice does.
Re hotels, unless you insist on staying in Venice, go to Mestre or Marghera, 3 niles from Venice.
Lots of hotels for very decent money. Bus ride into Venice will take you 10 minutes, busses go every 10 minutes

Have fun

Rick Steve's says in his books on Venice that he could not imagine staying outside the old city itself. So, from his expertise, I would take his advice. Seems to me that is all part of the fun and note to be missed. Fodor's has recommendations on this site. I've heard Hotel Galleria, on the canal next to the Accademia, is very nice for $100 and under.

When are you going to Venice ? As hotel prices tend to vary a lot depending on the season. Regarding canals smell, it may happen when they are carrying out repair works. We stayed in Venice in March and it occasionnally happened, while we stayed another time in August (hot weather) and there was no smell at all.

Been to Venice twice -- don't remember any problem with canal smells. Stayed at the Penione Accademia and liked it very much. About $150 for two. Good breakfast -- quiet location on canal. Be sure to ask for a room on the canal if this is important to you. Another hotel that looked charming and is centrally located is the Hotel Flora.