We will be travelling to Venice in March and are looking for a good quality hotel to stay at. We would like to be in the heart of the activity as we are young and would like to go to some clubs and do some shopping. We also want a hotel that has a private bath and that is convenient from the train station/airport. Any advice??

Kristin<BR><BR>Let's s tart with getting from the airport/train station. There are really three ways:<BR>1. Bus to bus staion and then vaporetto to the nearest landing stage to your hotel. All hotels tell you the nearest landing stage.<BR>2. Alilaguna fast boat. This goes to St. Marks and I think a couple of other stops. If you are not staying near St. Marks you'll still have to get a vaporetto from here.<BR>3. Water taxi. This is the most glamorous and expensive way to arrive! <BR><BR>Whichever of the above you choose, it will only get you as far as the nearest canal (for the water taxi)or the nearest vaporetto stop. After that you have to walk. So you either have to hire a porter for your luggage (expensive) or be prepared to carry/wheel it yourself. There are lots of little bridges with steps, so you need to take care about how much luggage you have. I would also recommend that if you are arriving at night, you choose a hotel that is easy to find, which probably means close to the Grand Canal. It's easy (and fun) to get lost in Venice, but not late at night with a suitcase!<BR><BR>Really nowhere is too inconvenient as Venice is small - you can get anywhere using the vaporetto and then walking.<BR><BR>You say that you are looking for a 'good quality hotel', but really need to have some idea of budget before offering advice. We found good value on www.allvenicehotels.com (lots cheaper than the rates quoted elsewhere for the same hotels), but elected to stay at a brand new 4 star with a view of the Grand Canal that had an opening offer of 265 Euros plus tax, inc breakfast for a room with a view of the Rialto bridge. It was more than we had planned, but represented good value for the location and quality. If you post a bit more info about budget and your idea of 'good quality' then we can maybe help more.<BR><BR>Whatever, I'm sure you'll have a great time - just make sure that you take comfortable shoes. Also, have a look on www.slowtrav.com. They have a great Italy dsection with some great advice, especially on restaurants. We particularly liked Shannon's recommendations.

Sue, what was the name of that new hotel that you stayed at?

We found hte Violino d'Oro very convenient - about 5 minutes walk from the St Mark's alilaguna stop from airport and within short distance of a number of different vaporetto stops.<BR><BR>Nice rooms, good service.

It was the Palazzo Sant'Angelo. If you go to www.sinahotels.it, then to the hotel, then to rates. They are still offering 180Euros opening offer. Add another 65 Euros for canal view. If you just go to the 'special offers' it doesn't seem to show up.<BR><BR>The room we had was great - silk-lined walls, carpets (unusual in Venice), comfy sofa, huge bed, jacuzzi bath, plush towelling robes, separate dressing area.

I like Pensione La Calcina, a lovely small 3-star located at the Zaterre vaporetto stop on the Guidecca canal. This is near the L'Acadamia bridge about 10-15 mins. walk from San Marcos square. They have private baths, and some large front rooms with a view out over the canal. It is very easy to reach from the train station by vaporetto.<BR><BR>www.lacalcina.com