I am looking for hotels would like recommendations. looking for decent price <BR>would like to know how is the hotel Villa Parco in Lido Venice. Would also like to know what is the best location to stay.

reema <BR>It might be best to define "decent" by dollars, lire, or some other currency. <BR>In terms of "best" location, are you looking for convenience to San Marco, peace and quiet, canal views, beach, <BR>off-the-tourist-track neighborhoods, etc? <BR>Although some disagree, I, for example, think of the Lido as not convenient because you need to take a boat to get back and forth to your hotel from San Marco and elsewhere. But that reflects my preference.

Good afternoon, Reema <BR>Agree with Elaine tht the Lido is not <BR>the best bet for seeing Venice. A lot <BR>of time is waisted going to the dock, <BR>waiting for the boat and actually crossing over to Venice. There is a <BR>extremely wide range of accmodations <BR>within Venice. Search into www.veniceinfo.it/ excellant listing <BR>of hotels in all stelle (stars) and <BR>maps showing their locations. My <BR>preference for location in Venice would <BR>be near the Pza S. Marco and/or the <BR>Ponte Rialto. A good example for one <BR>near S. Marco is the HOTEL DO POZZI and <BR>the HOTEL KETTE, near the Ponte Rialto <BR>would be the HOTEL MARCONI, which has <BR>some rooms facing the Grand Canal. <BR>Good surfing, Richard of La Grange Park, Il.....

May I offer a dissenting opinion? I actually prefer, most of the time, the Lido. In the first place, the boat ride isn't that onerous and is part of the "Venice thing." Secondly, botel prices are less expensive. The Lido is laid back with plenty of places to run or stroll along the beach. You also experience more of a feel of an Italian community than you do in Venice proper. Having said that, I also love staying in Venice, just for the proximity of sites and restaurants and the enchantment of hearing late at night the sounds of clicking footsteps and plopping waves against the Istrian-stone fondamento. Bottom line, if price is really important, don't sell the Lido short. You will have a great time, either way.

<BR>If you are traveling to Venice on a train and have heavy luggages, I would suggest staying near the train station to avoid carrying your luggage around because the only way to get around is either by water bus or water taxis. Water bus is often crowded and water taxis will cost you a fortune. Try $75.00 from the airport to Venice. <BR>There are plenty of good hotels near the train terminal. One in particular is the Hotel Principe which we stayed.