Venice hotels Ala vs Flora vs another one?
 

Hi
I'm returning to Venice after a few years' absence. I enjoy staying very close to Piazza San Marco. In the past I've stayed at the Flora and the Saturnia which are essentially across the street from each other. I know that the Ala is very slightly farther from the Piazza, heading toward the Accademia Bridge. I'm not interested in staying around Rialto nor Dorsoduro. I've done searches here.
My question is, if any of you have recently stayed at one or both hotels, can you comment on the size of a superior room, breakfast, etc.
In the past the Flora served only a continental breakfast, I think the breakfast at the Ala is more substantial. Locanda Orseolo can't accomodate us unless we change rooms during our stay.
My traveling companion will be visiting Venice for the first time. The truly luxurious hotels are not in our budget, and even the Saturnia has become very expensive, though I'm holding a room there. I'd prefer that the room price be under 300 euro. We're looking for comfort, services, a comfortably-sized twin room, and, in my preferred location.
Thanks for your help.
thanks

We've always stayed at the Locanda Orseolo and will again in Sept. The last time we stayed there, we had to change rooms but they've always moved everything to another room while we were sightseeing. It wasn't a big deal.

The superior rooms at the Ala are quite large. If you get a room with a canalside balcony, you will find it is pretty roomy. Standard rooms are not. Bathrooms, even in the superior rooms, are big enough, but not huge.

Breakfast at the Hotel Ala is huge. It is a very substantial buffet, with hot items (like eggs and some sort of meat) as well as many cold items.

I think the Ala is comfortable, but I was a little disappointed in the service in '07, compared to times in the past. I had clients there, the hotel was full, and the desk personnel acted as though requests were a pain to them. However, they called taxis, escorted the group to the vaporetto stop, and did other things. But the same people I was with stayed at the Saturnia this May, and liked it better than the Ala. These clients are very picky about service.

Hope this helps.

thanks for those details. I've emailed both the Flora and the Ala.
Re the Orseolo, I wasn't 100% sure about it because they have no elevator, but once they told me we'd have to change to a smaller room for the 3rd night of only a 3-night stay, I decided that for this trip I just don't want to bother.
Maybe next time.

The Flora is offering a superior double with one bed, and they say they can put in a 2nd bed if we prefer separate beds. That worries me about space a little.
It is facing the garden. 290 e for each of the first two nights, 250 e for the third night. Free wifi (nice touch) and what they are calling a buffet breakfast (the last time I was there, the breakfast was a nice individual basket of baked goods, but not a buffet.) They're also offering a 15% discount if we pre-pay for the 3 night stay now.
Comments?

We stayed at the Hotel Ala a couple of years ago and were very disappointed. Front desk service was very poor and borderline rude. I asked them to make dinner reservations and they told me restaurant was fully booked. I called the same restaurant myself and there was plenty of room. Rooms were okay but nothing to write home about, large, I suppose, for Venice. Breakfast was good.

If you choose to stay there, make certain that you always lock up everything of value. Chambermaid removed $200 from my wallet because I was too stupid to lock it up at breakfast. And, no, there is no chance that it happened someplace else.

All in all, I would skip it and choose another hotel.

oh dear.
well,for me the Flora is a known quantity, at least as of a few years ago, so maybe I'll go with the devil I know. Someone at travelerstogo suggested the Wildner and all I know is the good location. I've inquired.
thanks

We did not stay here, just visited there. It looked lovely, and the front desk clerk was very gracious in answering my questions, though he knew we were not guests there. We used their wireless internet in their lobby, which was a lovely place to sit with our laptop computer. (We paid a fee to use their wireless, because we weren't guests. I imagine guests use it for free.)

This hotel made an impression on us, for a future visit where we want to have a nicer room. Their prices are pushing your budget, but I wasn't sure when you'd be there.

(Tripadvisor comments are mostly rave reviews.)

http://www.hotelcolombina.com

"The Colombina is centrally located in the heart of Venice, just a few steps from St. Mark’s Square. The noble Venetian palace which accommodates the hotel faces one of the world’s most famous gondola serenades canal and boasts a breath-taking view on the Bridge of Sighs and the spires of San Marco Basilica."

That's funny, the Colombina was the first hotel I checked on, having
"inspected" myself after it opened. Lots of variation in room
sizes, but more to the point, they can't accommodate
us for the 3 nights. Seems a lovely hotel.

That is a coincidence. What about the Dona Palace, another four-star. I also did not stay here, but checked out its lobby and inquired for a brochure at the front desk. It looked quite nice, too.

http://www.donapalace.it

I have never heard of that hotel before. It looks very nice, good reviews on tripadvisor, and I've written to inquire about a room. Thanks

Glad to hear it, elaine. Please report back what you think about it, ok?

I am pretty sure it is almost across the tiny street from the Colombina. The Dona Palace would overlook a different canal, I believe. Also a small charming canal, with singing gondoliers.

You've researched Franco's Venetian lodging thread? Or posted a question there, for him?

Just looked at a photo of the Dona Palace inner garden, and the Colombina sign is directly in the background. Just had to find out if I was remembering correctly.

I stayed at the Colombina (thanks to PeaceOut's posting!) a couple of years ago and highly recommend it. It is two minutes from St. Mark's but a world away on a quiet and peaceful canal-same canal as Bridge of Sighs. We had canal front rooms. Very nice property and staff. Would stay there again without hesitation.

Peaceout, what/where is Franco's thread. I just tried a search but didn't get anything to come up.

The Colombina website had told me a few days ago that no rooms are available for my dates, but I emailed them just in case--I've long wanted to stay there.

The Ala has come off my list. I had checked into the Pensione Wildner, the prices and location are attractive, but I'm past the days when shabby plus no elevator were acceptable, and some comments mention that.

thanks for the link.

I just realized that Franco doesn't really recommend specific hotels, but he is an expert in dining and areas of Venice.

elaine: I had clients at the Dona Palace. I forgot about that until I saw it mentioned. They were pleased. Also, the group I had that didn't like the Ala, but did like the Saturnia, were also considering the DP, but it was full.

For me it's coming down to availabilty and pricing at the Colombina, Dona Palace, Flora, and Saturnia.