I have read a lot of threads where people LOVE Venice but a lot of threads that talk about how touristy the area is - especially where the big Lux hotels are. My question is this - would it be better to stay at a lux hotel outside of Venice and drive in daily? Or how about not staying right in the main thoroughfare? I have read that Grand HOtel Pallazzo dei dogi is 25 minutes outside. I want lux but not at the price of being overrun by tourist groups. Thoughts?

Hi sinne,

The tourists come for the day and then go home. Stay in the city.

If you've never been to Venice, you really need to stay there the first time. If you stay outside the city, DON'T DRIVE; take the train.

Part of the magic of Venice involves the lack of cars and change of pace. Definitely stay there. I'll recommend Pension Accademia Maravege, if you don't want to feel like a tourists!

I went to Venice with a tour group and we stayed outside of Venice--I don't recommend it. If I ever go back, I will definitely stay in Venice itself, not a suburb.

A few weeks ago I read about a newly-opened upscale hotel located on San Clemente Island called the San Clemente Palace. Only access is by (10 min?) private boat ride to/from Venice, running about every 20 minutes. Sounded interesting. If you go to nytimes.com travel section and search for 'Venice' or 'San Clemente' it should come up. The article was from early December of this year.

DEFINITELY stay within Venice. I don't know anything about luxury hotels, but there are so many places to stay in Venice, and many are on quiet streets.

You want to stay in Venice. It is one of the most unique cities in the world.

Stay there.

In addition to the magic of sitting in St. Mark's Square at night having a drink and listening to the dueling orchestras, one of the great pleasures is heading back to your hotel, through the deserted passageways (probably getting lost) at 1 or 2 in the morning. Don't even think of staying outside the city. What a waste!

Staying outside of Venice would be similar to going to San Francisco but staying in Berkeley and driving over the Bay Bridge every day, not only a waste of time, but you wouldn't get the true feeling of the city. Definitely, stay IN Venice!

Hi

Went to Venice with another couple. They chose to stay outside Venice and each night I HATED taking the train back to Padua.

I will only stay in Venice next time.

Stay in the city. If you can't find a luxury hotel in the city outside the most touristy sections, then stay in a 3 star--there are 3 stars every bit as nice, or even nicer than, some of the luxury hotels. A hotel can lose stars for such things as not having a formal lobby, no meeting rooms, etc.--things that don't have anything to do with how good or luxurious the hotel is.

oh you must stay in the city. The joy is strolling aimlessly to all parts. When you get tired hop on a vaporetto back to your stop. I stayed in the Campo Santa Margaurita area. Perfecto

Hmmm, has there ever been a subject here where the readers were so unanimously in agreement?

Thank you for all your advice - and yes I think the vote was clear and I shall stay in this city and hopefully fall in love with it as much as you all clearly have!

I agree with all the other posters...absolutely stay in Venice! And, you don't need to stay in "luxury hotels", there are many gorgeous hotels, with a view of the Canal that are just over $100/night. Don't skimp..how often are you going to have this type of experience?

Regards,

Melodie
Certified Italian Specialist

Hi -- We are planning on booking at the dei Dogi and from what I can tell, it is IN VENICE. It's just a 25 minute walk to St. Mark's, located in a more remote part of the city. So, no driving in would be involved. The hotel also offers free boat rides to St. Mark's and other sites. I say reconsider. It's a "budget 5-star". =) Good luck.

Years from now when I am in my rocking chair with a blanket over my legs out at the old boy's home, I will reminisce about the nights I spent on the Rialto bridge at 2am watching a lone gondola ply the Grand Canal. If you choose to reminisce about the moonlight glistening on the cars in the parking lot at the Best Western hotel in Mestre.....have at it.

Larry J

I'd definitely stay as close in as possible!

Mappy shows the dei dogi as a 2 km , 40 minute walk, that's if you don't get lost! If the boat is free and convenient for when you want it , then that might be a consideration

Dear sinnedgh,
I understand your concern about being overwhelmed by tourists in Venice. I had been to Italy three times and never been to Venice until our fourth trip this January.
We had even got as close as Padua and chosen not to go to Venice because it was at the height of the tourist season. I love so much of Italy and particularly Le Marche and Rome...but after visiting Assisi (which seemed like an Italian hilltown/religious Disneyland experience) I was uncertain that everything I had heard about Venice would disappear into a tourist ridden over exposure.

Thankfully I was completley wrong! We were in Venice for four nights at the beginning of January and I was captivated. It was far less touristy than I had imagined (perhaps because of the time of year) and as everyone has said staying in the city is magical. It's so lovely to walk at night and enjoy the city almost alone. We stayed in the Ca' Pisani in the Dorsoduru area behind the Academia which I would highly recommend. It's close to a bridge over the Grand Canal but far enough away from all of the shops selling the same stuff. My impression was that where you stay (in terms of location) shapes your experience and perspective on the city.

Have a great trip!