Well, as we are getting closing to our trip to Italy in October, we have to make a final selection for a hotel in Venice for 2 nights. <BR>We want a clean, quiet, and convenient location. We are choosing among 3: Gabrielli and Sandwirth(~ $265), Cavaletto E Doge Orseolo (~ $240) and the Hotel American (~ $190). Many are already booked that sounded great. Anyone stayed at any of the above and can offer a reference? <BR>Thanks

Not stayed at any of the hotels but here is some general advice: <BR>Hotels in Venice don't come cheap, so spend as much as your budget allows if you like your creature comforts. <BR>Location is important if you only have 2 nights. It's good to be near the St. Mark's Square area if it's your first time in Venice - remember that there is virtually no transportation in Venice, apart from boats, so most of the time you will be walking. Having said that, Venice is not a large city, so distances are never very long, and some of the neighbourhoods away from the St. Mark's area are far more peaceful and charming. <BR>As a tourist I find it very useful to have a hotel with its own canal frontage and landing jetty, so you can take yourself and your luggage straight from a boat into the hotel. I always feel sorry for tourists who are dragging their suitcases down those tiny alleys, desperately looking for their hotel (Venetian addresses can be difficult to decipher, and those little alleys all look the same!) <BR>So, do some research re. location, facilities and canal access, and good luck.

Karen <BR>don't know your hotels, but my guidebook has the American listed and mentions that it is nice and a good buy but the bedrooms vary greatly in size and some are quite cramped. Some have private terraces facing the canal. There is also a public terrace for relaxing. <BR>I found it on my map, looks to be a 15-20 minute stroll to San Marco and perhaps a 5 minute walk from the <BR>Accademia vaporetto stop, which is good.

Good afternoon, Karen <BR>Stayed at the Gabrielli Sandwirth, riva <BR>degli Schiavoni, 4110. It was a very <BR>impressive hotel both in service and <BR>accomodations.. It is about two blocks <BR>east of the Pza S. Marco on the Canale Di San Marco facing the Island of S. Giorgio Maggiore. If you have a canal <BR>side room, you will have a wonderful <BR>view... In past years, we have used the <BR>Hotel Saturnia International, Calle <BR>larga 22 Marzo. A four star hotel with <BR>95 rooms with an excellant ristorante, the Caravella, very satisified with <BR>service and accomodations... <BR>Richard of La Grange Park, IL...

Not expensive and not four star, but still very nice: Al Gambero on Calle dei Fabbri midway between the Rialto and St Marks. You exit the vaparetto at Rialto and short walk up Calle dei Fabbri. Rate for double with bath and breakfast in Oct 99 was 210000L. Rooms are small but have all been remodeled lately as have the baths. Some of the tour books are unaware of this fact. If you need to save a few bucks, try this place. They also have safes in the room. We found it recommended on Fodors, used it and will use it again.

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Karen, <BR> <BR>I have not stayed at any of the 3 but hotels interest me so I check them out... <BR> <BR>I stopped into the Gabrielli on my last trip because it always lookd so pretty. I was disappointed - it seemed shabby and extremely touristy. The location is right on the grand canal which, to me, makes it wonderful if you have a canal view but noisy if you have a canal view. <BR> <BR>I think there may be 2 Hotel Cavalletto's. The one I've seen is on a canal right behind the Piazzo San Marco (address is calle del Cavalletto). It is very pretty from the outside - large (95 rooms) - in a good location. But that's all I know about it. I do remember reading about another hotel - which may be the one you're mentioning. It got a very good review but I'm not sure (If you're still undecided, e-mail me and I'll try to look it up...). <BR> <BR>I passed the American Hotel on my last trip and stopped in because it looked so charming. The location is off the beaten path - which I liked. It has been redone, and has flowers in window boxes. I think I heard what Elaine mentioned - that the bedrooms vary in size. So be specific in your request - and when you do check in, ask to see what other rooms are available (this is not really done in the US but seems to be expected in Italy...) <BR> <BR>Have a great time - and e-mail me if you want additional information... <BR> <BR>Dona

My husband and I stayed at the Gabrielli for six nights in October 99. It is a lovely hotel (I believe it was used as a backdrop for a movie whose name eludes me), but there are pros and cons as with everything. For one thing, there is mooring almost directly in front of the hotel, so assuming you arrive by air, it is very easy and inexpensive - approx. $12.00 us.- to take the water taxi from the airport to the hotel. You will know it's your stop because you can SEE the hotel coming up (be sure to ask the driver that to stop at the Gabrielli). This is a far better price than the $100+ we saw people pay for the motoscafi (sort of a speed boat taxi). Not extremely friendly- although my broken Italian seemed to extract a little warmth. Delicious dining in an intimate little setting near a small courtyard. Very satisfying buffet breakfast. Extremely clean. We had a canal view room with two large wooden shutters that swung open to a million dollar view- I felt as though I were a dodge and this was my kingdom. However, the Vaporetti are moored out front each evening and bang loudly against the pier. I couldn't sleep for 3 nights, but refused to give up the view! There are inside rooms available. <BR>Very short walk to the square. <BR>Also stayed at the Saturnia- very good restaurant, but such a tiny accomodation. <BR>Saw the Cavaletto. Looked interesting as there was a large Gondola station right out front, but can't say more. <BR>As long as you're in Venice!

We stayed at the Hotel American in Venice and thought it was terrible. The room we had was small and filthy, the bathroom not much bigger than one you'd find on a 737, and the staff is clueless. Anything else will be better.

Stayed at the Hotel American in 1994, so my comments not as up-to-date as some. We had a pleasant room at the back with views of a side canal and surrounding buildings. The bathroom wasn't particularly small, but one night there was no hot water. The building is generally furnished in late 18th fin-de-sicle (spelling?) style, with what looked like antiques. Found the staff very helpful with bags, etc. It is away from the main hustle and bustle, which we didn't mind at all.

My family and I stayed at the Hotel American last summer after seeing it recommended in a guidebook. I was a bit afraid that given the name of the hotel we would enter the lobby and find the hotel full of loud Americans in plaid pants and striped shirts, but we had a great experience there. <BR>Fabio was very accommodating and gave us a larger room that was available due to a cancellation. The hotel is on a quiet canal, yet very near the Grand Canal. We liked the location very much. Our room was on the fourth floor and looked as if it must have been recently remodeled, so there might be a significant difference in the rooms available. Good luck with your choices. <BR> <BR>

We went to Venice in May, and stayed at the Cavaletto E Doge Orseolo. It is in a great location right in St. Marks Square. It is clean, the rooms nicely decorated, and breakfast is included in the price. It is a Best Western chain, so you can make reservations from the U.S. by calling their 800 number. There is a gondola station right out back from the hotel. The breakfast is a buffet with your typical choices of egg, meats, cereal, fruit, yogurt, etc. I highly recommend it. Also, there is a computer in the lobby that you can e-mail friends and family back home! Have fun.

We stayed at the Gabrielli in September 1998 and I echo Donna's comments. We also had a lagoon view room and it could be noisy--we had the "good fortune" to be in town the weekend of a secessionist rally. It started at around 7 am in the plaza right outside our windows. The room was fine, although not as large as I expected, given the website pictures and the cost. We ate in the less formal dining room our first night and the food was excellent. The bar was a pleasant, quiet place for a nightcap.

Hi Karen, <BR> <BR>I just got back from France & Venice today. I don't know about the hotels you asked about, but I stayed at the Hotel Flora (www.hotelflora.it)... It's very central adn easy to get to. Our room was 350,000 lre a night and enjoyed it. Very clean and the staff was compentent and helpful. We took the vaporetto #82 ro Piazza San Marco, then switched to vapoaretto #1, exited Santa Maria Del Giglio and it was a 1 minute walk to the hotel. The hotel has a very lovely garden that you can enjoy day or night. <BR>When you go to Venice, you've got to eat at a restaurant called "Corte Sconce" (I'll look for the address/phone when I unpack).. about 4 bridges and through a campo to get to it... well worth the walk. There are no menus, the owner speaks excellent English, she tells whats the freshest/best items on the menu and thenm she creates your dinner. It's awesome!!! The freshest fish and bread soaking sauces. You will not be disappointed. <BR>Chao! Margot