You're right...In looking at the card, it's a card with the three restaurants including the Europa, and the Rio is the hotel upstairs...

I just saw the Trip Advisor site, and it isn't glowing. But I stayed there myself and did enjoy the stay, and found the rooms to be very spacious, clean, up-to-date, and very conveniently located.

Funny because I even put a little picture book with all the cards/receipts from our trip, and wrote in it that we stayed at the Europa...when in fact it was the Rio. It's all coming back to me now...

Thanks,

Jules

Thanks, Jules. I must admit that I'm tempted by the location (when I went through Time Out I checked all the budget locations near San Marco first -- and this one was listed, as I said).

Another one listed in Time Out is Locanda Silva (which as I mentioned, I called this morning).

I'll think about Hotel Rio more.

But I think that Al Campaniel (the one I've already booked) is reasonable (105 euros a night for a double, with supposedly a small discount the second night (?)). It seems to be the only budget location that has a/c as well (in all the ones that I've remembered to ask).

I just have to think more about whether I want a private bath, a/c, or a location closer to San Marco. San Toma is fine, I suppose, especially if there's the N line vaporetto that runs at night.

I vote for private bath in a central location

Well, do you think of San Toma as central? I tend to think of San Marco as central, but I understand some people hate the crowds.

But yes, San Toma is close to San Rocco, Frari, Accademia.

Locanda Silva offers a double with private bath at 110 euros (near San Marco).

I'm thinking of sharing my bathroom and using the proceeds for dinner at Da Fiore.

I'm entering the fray for the first time, since Al Campaniel was my suggestion to the OP and I did not want to seem to be doing special pleading.

During the day, the traghetto a few yards away from the hotel (at 0.40 Euro per trip) gets you across the Grand Canal and as close to San Marco as you could wish, without putting you through the overcrowded "main drag" between Rialto and San Marco, where you have to move at the snail's pace of the day trippers.

The Accademia bridge is not THAT far away, if you want to cross after the traghetto stops operating. And there is the previously mentioned N vaporetto.

Incidentally, Da Fiore is also on the same side of the Grand Canal as the hotel.

Don't know San Toma, I've only been to Venice twice... but I think of San Marco or even Dosoduoro near Academmia bridge as central enough.

Have you stayed at hotels with a shared toilet before? I ask, not to get personal(!) but I tried it just once because I thought it would be OK, but for me it wasn't. Although it depends on the hotel also, there are some I'd be more willing than others with this arrangements.

I'd rather skimp on dinner, quite honestly.

We have stayed at Locanda/Albergo Silva five times. The location in Castello is great. It is on a quiet canal not far from Santa Maria Formosa square( one of our favorite places to watch locals enjoying the evening)and is a seven minute walk to San Marco. It is fairly basic but comfortable. When we were there, most of the others there were Europeans.

Thanks, Sally, for the recommendation.

suze, I've had shared bathroom situations. When I was in Amsterdam in Feb., I had a single at Winston with a private shower and sink but with a shared toilet down the hall. I recall at least two other shared bathroom situations in the US.

Of course, given the choice, I'd rather not share, but I'm not opposed to the idea of sharing. The thing is -- I'm usually not in my room very much. On this trip, I think that I'll be arriving in Venice late (I think after 8). I'll be out late, I suspect. I've a full day on Sunday. Then Monday morning I bet I'll be leaving very early to catch a train for Bologna (where my flight for NYC leaves).

I think that I probably come across as cheap when I can easily save money elsewhere (like not travel during long weekends or eat at nicer places). But I guess we all have our own vices. Of course we all want a nice hotel, but I'm probably more willing to skimp than others in this regard.

When I travel with my mom, I of course upgrade accordingly.

Anyway, hope that explains my thought process about hotels.

Thanks Eloise. I just saw your post. Yes, I was initially concerned about moving about in the evening, but I'm glad to have found out about the N vaporetto.

And yes, I saw the traghetto crossing on a map yesterday. I've never actually been on a traghetto. So I'm of course intrigued.

What are the thoughts about a/c for September in Venice? No one has said anything about this issue. Al Campaniel, as I said, does offer a/c.

I think that their prices are competitive (given a/c, etc.). I did book the superior double as it was the only thing left there, but I feel a little guilty so that's why I'm still mulling things over.

We often go to Italy in September and have not needed air conditioning in Northern Italy. At Albergo Silva there are large windows with shutters that give air flow with some privacy. We have not been bothered by any mosquitoes.

My sister-in-law stayed in the private room with the shared bath at Albergo Silva. The room was small but cosy with the bath right outside the door. She never saw anyone else using the hall bathroom since most of the rooms have ensuite bathrooms. Everything was very clean.

Thanks again, Sally. That's very useful. It's nice to have a recommendation like that (which again is why I find Fodor's so useful).

I wish I could give a definitive answer on a/c in Venice at the beginning of September, but I can't: I was there in April when there was no need for a/c.

But I do recall a late September to mid-October trip to Tuscany when it was very, very hot and a/c was more than welcome.

Admittedly, Venice is further north than Tuscany, but on the other hand, I also think that the weather has become so unpredictable everywhere that anyone who proffers weather advance is going pretty far out on a limb...

That should of course read "weather advice" -- it's near the end of the day Friday and I'm not thinking terribly clearly...

Well, of course I know not to sue for bad advice from Fodor's. Just looking for a general sense.

I was also vaguely concerned about mosquitoes, so having a/c is nice -- but Sally's comment about Silva was very reassuring in that regard.

I don't know how I used to plan my trips without the internet and Fodor's. I seem to be much easier going then.

I seem to recall reading about some psychology study or another that proved definitely and beyond the shadow of a doubt that laboratory rats offered wider choices were more stressed out than the control rats whose choices were more limited...

I definitely believe it.

Actually there're some interesting behavioral economics implications of this also. I remember reading some articles about the choices of the retirement investments for the Swedish. Of course, the interest has been in privatizing SS in the US.

I don't want to get into a discussion whether that's good or bad (as I really haven't followed the arguments). But I want to point out that the abundance of choices has serious implications beyond rats and booking hotels.

Ooops -- for the Swedes....

I'm tired also.

ttt

We stayed at the Hotel Ai Mori D'Oriente from May 23 to the 28th. It is near the Ghetto and within walking distance to three Vaporetto stops. You can walk everyplace from here also. It is in a quiet neighborhood and we would stay there again. It is rated three to four star depending which rating service you use. We paid more than 100 Euro. I would look them up on the web or even call as the desk clerks do speak English. Rate should include breakfast. Talk to Roberto if he is there. He is into American basketball and football and is a very helpful fellow. Good luck.

<b>Comments on Locanda Silva, Venice</b>

I was there two nights (70 euros a night) for a single with private bath. No elevator that I recall, and my room was on the fifth floor.

This was very basic but very adequate. Again the bathroom was a bit small, but it was nice having a private bathroom. The bed was a single, and the room was small. I had stayed in a single in Tiquetonne in Paris for 40 euros a night that was bigger (or felt bigger, anyway, probably because Tiquetonne has high ceilings).

The hotel is a very short walk from San Marco once you know your way. I had trouble finding it (I walked from Rialto) the night I arrived. But I don't think that that's a fault of the hotel -- it's not easy to find things in Venice.

One potential problem. The hotel locks its doors late at night. On the first night, after checking in around 1 am, I decided to walk to San Marco, and I was told that I had to be back by 3 am. On the second night, I was told that I should be back by 1 am. This was a little bit of a problem, as I went to Lido to see a film at the Film Festival. Actually the night clerk was the same on both nights, though when I left the hotel the second night (earlier in the evening), there was a different, older guy, whom I asked about when the hotel would close its doors.

So it was possible that I could have returned after 1 am, but I wasn't about to take my chances.