Would you pay for a canal view in Venice?
Jan 25th, 2006, 05:51 PM
#21
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When my daughter and I went to Venice, we stayed at Hotel Sturion, third or fourth floor on the Grand Canal, about 100 yards from the Rialto Bridge. They only had two rooms facing the canal, and both were booked when I made my reservations. I asked them to notate that I really wanted a canal-front room.
When I checked in, they told me the canal-front room would be available after all, I think it was about $35 more per night.
It was worth every penny to me. We had a large room with two large windows overlooking the canal and there was always something to watch - the commercial boat traffic, the gondolas (we could hear the singing), all the people, etc. If we came back to the room for a break, or a nap, or after we were in for the night, I would sit right out on the window sill and soak it all in.
I had stayed in Venice before that trip, but my treetop view of the canal made the trip something special!
When I checked in, they told me the canal-front room would be available after all, I think it was about $35 more per night.
It was worth every penny to me. We had a large room with two large windows overlooking the canal and there was always something to watch - the commercial boat traffic, the gondolas (we could hear the singing), all the people, etc. If we came back to the room for a break, or a nap, or after we were in for the night, I would sit right out on the window sill and soak it all in.
I had stayed in Venice before that trip, but my treetop view of the canal made the trip something special!
Jan 25th, 2006, 06:15 PM
#22
I wouldn't pay twice the price but I might give a little bit more. On a tight budget, I'd consider a lesser hotel that might offer some kind of a view even if the room or other ammenities weren't quite as nice.
I've been to Venice twice, once with view of the Guidecca, once without the room overlooked a teeny canal between buildings. Both were magical.
I've been to Venice twice, once with view of the Guidecca, once without the room overlooked a teeny canal between buildings. Both were magical.
Jan 25th, 2006, 10:06 PM
#25
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If you really want it both ways - a canal view on a budget - check out the Hotel Riva: privately owned and wonderfully friendly, with canal views (two, actually. It's at the corner of two canals). It's not posh, but my husband and I plan to stay there when we return to Venice - over and over again.
A double with a private bath and canal view is 120 euro; 100 if you don't mind a bath down the hall.
http://www.hotelriva.it/
The red building in the secondary photo on the home page is the hotel. It's about 3 minutes on foot from San Marco, 7-8 from the Rialto.
A double with a private bath and canal view is 120 euro; 100 if you don't mind a bath down the hall.
http://www.hotelriva.it/
The red building in the secondary photo on the home page is the hotel. It's about 3 minutes on foot from San Marco, 7-8 from the Rialto.
Jan 26th, 2006, 08:21 AM
#26
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I travel a lot and about the last thing I would pay for is a good view. I am out of my room sightseeing for most of the day, spending time in the hotel mostly for sleeping. I wouldn't pay an extra euro for a view (well, maybe that's a slight exaggeration), prefering to spend the money on a great meal or longer stay. I haven't been to Venice in many years, but stayed at Pension Accademia (or something like that) and it had great location and was very nice. And I was in Italy this past December and stayed in nice hotels, but I don't think I looked out the window other than to check the weather.
If you intend to spend your entire stay perched in the window like a cat it may be worth it.
But, as you have read, everyone has different priorities.
If you intend to spend your entire stay perched in the window like a cat it may be worth it.
But, as you have read, everyone has different priorities.
Jan 26th, 2006, 09:17 AM
#28
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Like Love Italy I make use of a beautiful view. I haven't been to Venice but when I go to Paris I stay at a particular hotel and always request the Tuileries View. It cost maybe 25 Euros more a night but worth every penny.
I have a view of the Tuileries, Louvre, D'orsay, Notre Dame, Seine River, Eiffel Tower, Arc 'd triumph, grand and petite palais.
Every morning I have the French Doors open and put my makeup on. In the late afternoon I come back to my room, relax with a snack, maybe read awhile.
When I go to bed at night I have a view of either the Eiffel Tower twinkling or The Louvre pyramid all lit up. So to me it is worth every penny.
I have a view of the Tuileries, Louvre, D'orsay, Notre Dame, Seine River, Eiffel Tower, Arc 'd triumph, grand and petite palais.
Every morning I have the French Doors open and put my makeup on. In the late afternoon I come back to my room, relax with a snack, maybe read awhile.
When I go to bed at night I have a view of either the Eiffel Tower twinkling or The Louvre pyramid all lit up. So to me it is worth every penny.
Jan 26th, 2006, 12:06 PM
#29
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I been to Venice twice, I would not pay for a view from my hotel.
Just walking along the Grand Canal or better yet riding the number one vaporetto down the Grand Canal, you find your are now part of the view.
In my opinion the best views of the Grand Canal are from riding the vaporetto.
Bill
Jan 26th, 2006, 01:57 PM
#30
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But for some of us, it's a kick to look at the view as well as be part of the view at other times. Of course, I must admit that not everyone is as fascinated as I am by watching laundry boats, trash boats, dry goods delivery boats, etc. go about their business in the early morning hours.
Jan 26th, 2006, 02:37 PM
#32
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We try to get a room with a view when possible, and usually stay within our budget. If you are willing to do a little legwork, you can usually find the room you want at the right price.
Having a view in Venice is important; you peek outside every so often to remind yourself that you're not dreaming.
Having a view in Venice is important; you peek outside every so often to remind yourself that you're not dreaming.
Jan 26th, 2006, 03:07 PM
#33
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Rufus, exactly!!! Watching the "commercial" boats even the garbage boats, go by is so interesting. And especially very early morning when Venice is hardly awake. I will never forget seeing a funeral boat go by, life in Venice is on her canals especially the Grand Canal. Traffic on the Grand Canal is better than any movie.
Would I pay double the price for a view of the Grand Canal..well no because that isn't in my budget. But I sure am happy to pay more for a room with a Grand Canal view.
Would I pay double the price for a view of the Grand Canal..well no because that isn't in my budget. But I sure am happy to pay more for a room with a Grand Canal view.
Jan 26th, 2006, 03:13 PM
#34
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Oh yes, I was the other person you saw hanging out of the window in the early morning watching the city wake up. I'd pay more for a canal view, and not necessarily Grand Canal, the canals through Canareggio are very interesting.
Jan 26th, 2006, 03:21 PM
#35
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In my opinion NO! When you visit Venice you constantly are on the water and surronded by fantastic views ,to spend alot of extra cash to see what you see all day does not do it for me. The Lido Island is 20 minutes from the center but is quiet and beautiful. The main canals are always crowded and noisey. I like to spend the day in the middle of the action but not the night. There is some truth that the city empties out at night but there are still alot of people filling up the night spots. Have a wonderful trip .I think its frowned upon to eat or picnic in Venice . If I were on a tight budget definately not.We found many restuarants very resonable for pizza and salads .there are plenty of spots and all we ate in were pretty good . 2 people for lunch 16 to 20 euros.Another tip always stand to eat you will save over 50%
Jan 26th, 2006, 08:05 PM
#37
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We had a canal view room on the Grand Canal and could not sleep due to late night and early morning vaporetto docking noise right out in the front of the hotel. The Grand Canal is like the main street in any large city.
Jan 26th, 2006, 08:32 PM
#38
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What a nice comment lilminkey, thank you! An ancestor of mine is WJM Turner the English painter who is famous for his watercolors of Venice, I always think of him as I watch the various light scenes flit across the canals and buildings of Venice.
I am a "city person" so the noise of the Grand Canal does not bother me at all but I can understand if it did bother you SueQue. I tend to go to bed late and wake up early, so I am one to be at the window watching all the action. Soooo Gertie, was that YOU hanging out of the window across the Grand Canal from me, LOL. We should have waved to each other.
I am a "city person" so the noise of the Grand Canal does not bother me at all but I can understand if it did bother you SueQue. I tend to go to bed late and wake up early, so I am one to be at the window watching all the action. Soooo Gertie, was that YOU hanging out of the window across the Grand Canal from me, LOL. We should have waved to each other.
