Since La Calcina was already booked for the end of Septmeber, I reserved a room at Locanda Leon Bianco, for 230000 lire. It overlooks the "small canal," as they put it--rooms overlooking the "large canal" were full. Does anyone have any thoughts about what it means to have a room overlooking the small canal? I've never been to Venice and am picturing a dark room with a smelly canal! <BR> <BR>I also booked at the Hotel Ai Due Fanali, but it is over 100000 lire more, and would rather cancel that and pay less, unless the small canal is a bad idea. <BR> <BR>Any experience with either of these hotels? <BR> <BR>Thanks. <BR>Liz

Liz, <BR> <BR>It's a good hotel. Do a search and you'll see dozens of comments about it.

Just stayed there (in a Grand Canal room, we enjoyed watching the boats pulling in to set up the Rialto Market each morning.). The small canal is obviously quieter, but fine. This is a good "budget" hotel for Venice. We were very comfortable there. Excellent location on Vaporetto #1 route. Next time we are thinking of trying Hotel American, which is a neighbor of Peggy Gugenheim's museum. It is on a very pretty little canal.

The "small" canal is Rio dei Santissimi Apostoli, which isn't "that" small. This canal, croissed by 4 bridges, is used by boats (no vaporettos) going from Canal Grande to Fondamenta Nuove (passing in front of the Gesuiti Church). I'd guess that that across the canal you'll also have a view to the Santissime Apostoli church. Venice canals rarely stink ... and should they be stinking while you're there, your room window should be sufficiently high up, far from the water surface. <BR> <BR>Paulo

Thanks,everyone. (Sandi, you wrote "it's a good hotel." Which one were you referring to--Locanda Leon Bianco or Ai Due Fanali? And did you mean search the web for comments or search this site?) <BR> <BR>But it looks like from all your comments the Locanda will be fine. <BR> <BR>Liz

Sorry to be so vague. My comment was regarding the Leon Bianco and I was trying to get you to search on this forum because we've had many discussions about this hotel. I felt that it would be so redundant to say things that had been said so many times and was hoping to let you, or anyone, know that they should try to do a search on this forum for previously mentioned info.

Thanks, Sandi. I did a search and found lots of references--I feel quite reassured! <BR> <BR>Liz