HenryMiller

We've got a first-time trip to Venice next March and have a hotel choice to make.
One is on a quiet canal (Locanda Ca Le Velle)--the other on the Grand Canal (Galleria).
Do you think it's a priority to try and stay on the Grand Canal?

Thanks

Leely

It's totally a matter of opinion and preference. I like quiet little canals and secret courtyards and backstreets. To me those things epitomize romance.

That said, I haven't heard of Locanda Ca Le Velle. Is it a nice hotel or a good deal or...? Where is it?

mclaurie

Both of your hotel choices get mentioned here. The Galleria is a very popular choice for a great location (AT the Accademia bridge)at a budget price. Not all the rooms there will have a water view and there's a good pizzeria downstairs. So between the Grand Canal, the bridge (where the vaparetto also stops) and the restaurant, it can be noisy. Some people also report some small rooms.

The Locando Ca Vele has 2 very nice reviews on tripadvisor.com (you should read them). Also you might type the name in the search box above and check out mentions here. I'm not sure exactly where the Ca Le Vele is other than in Cannaregio area. I would choose it over the Galleria with the knowledge that the location might not be quite as central. If you can be assured of any canal view, IMO you're set.

HenryMiller

Thanks for the responses. As for the location of Ce Velle--they say on their web site:
"centrally located within walking distance to Rialto Bridge and St.Mark's Square. Overlooking the picturesque Santa Sofia canal, Locanda Cà Le Vele is very close to the famous Cà d'Oro palace and to Strada Nuova, the wide avenue that crosses a large part of the city."

Seems like a good location.

jcolem2

As another poster said, it is completey your preference. I found the area right near the grand canal to be a bit too crowded for my tastes. Venice is small enough that you can walk anywhere in a short amount of time. I stayed at La Calcina in the Dorsoduro area and loved both the hotel and the surroundings. The shopping on the backstreets was WAY more interesting too - different stuff than you find where the majority of people are!

suze

Just a quick comment regarding locations. Most places could be called walking distance to San Marcos and the Rialto Bridge (definitely from Galleria at the Accademia bridge, which is maybe 10 minutes to the first and 20 minutes to the second). Venice is quite compact.

You can get a great view of the Grand Canal with an inexpensive vaporetto ride one day. For me it would not be necessary to see it from my hotel room.

donnapg

We also stayed at La Calcina on the Guidecca Canal. I loved the quieter area, loved being on a canal, and their deck for breakfast and afternoon drinks was an amazing place to quietly sip a Prosecco and watch the world go by.

Go with a canal view - it is Venice afterall.

MWM1

I just booked a hotel for the same time period. Check out Locanda Orseolo--great location and fantastic reviews on TripAdvisor

ira

Hi HM,

>Do you think it's a priority to try and stay on the Grand Canal?<

Nope.

eroz

We stayed at the Galleria last summer and highly recommend, Great location!

HenryMiller

Thanks again for the feedback--these sites are amazing.
As it happens we are staying at Orseola for the first part of our trip.
On la Calcina--I had heard it was great but was put off a bit by the "deposit" stories on the web.
And at Le Velle--we'd have a suite with a terrace over the canal--$140E.

sfarah

FYI-I just booked a room at La Calcina for Carnival arriving on January 28th and they took a credit card deposit. Here's what the fax confirmation stated: "We have received your credit card data . Thank you . No charge will be made on this card . We shall charge 1 night rent only if you will cancel this booking after 12.00 noon Italian time of the 23rd of january 2005.

In case of departure earlier than agreed we shall charge 50 % of the remaining stay."

Jun04ItalyHoneymoon

We stayed at the Locanda Barbarigo. Although we had a canal-view room, we never gazed out onto the canal (one of the side canals, not the Grand Canal). I think it would have much too loud to be on the Grand Canal. As it was, we were a very short walk to the vaporetto stop at Santa Maria del Giglio and only about a 5 minute walk from San Marco. We loved the Locanda Barbarigo!

wondering

I am hoping someone would explain the lure of the grand canal- i also prefer the quieter spots....

Patrick

The lure of the Grand Canal? Sitting on my balcony in the early morning and watching all the delivery boats coming and going -- stopping below our hotel where the guys toss case after case of water, soda, heads of lettuce, whatever.
Watching the endless stream of traffic.
As the sun sets, sipping cocktails on that balcony and watching the sun glisten off the water as the buildings slowly change color and the bustle in the canal gets busier and busier, then slacks down to the parade of gondolas.

Being able to leave our windows and draperies open as we could see out across the canal without neighbors peering back at us from just feet away across a tiny little canal.

Yep, I think the Grand Canal has a lot of "lure".

But then hey, I also love sitting in a room high above Times Square watching the signs and traffic rather than sitting in a room overlooking a tiny New York quiet street, so what do I know?

wondering

Patrick! Thanks for the answer...I think I get it now! I just always thought about noise and distant cruise ships ruining the view...not all the lovely sights and you are so right about the colors!! btw I love watching Times Square as well, but behind that tripled glazed sound-proof glass!