Leslie

So why is it that the taxi driver and others in Roma called pronounced our hotel (Santa Chiara) as "Santa Yarra?" I kept saying "Santa K'yarra" but felt silly.

Kimerley

Hotel Galleria, room 10. Right next to the Accademia Bridge on the Grand Canal. <BR>The only 1 star hotel on the canal allegedly.www.hotelgalleria.it <BR>I could lie in bed at night with the windows open and view the bridge..also sat in the window and watched the traffic go by on the canal..bella

Ana

Just got back yesterday. I checked the venere.com hotel listings and got a $ 2507nite room at Hotel San Moise (check Fodor recommendation - 3 blocks from San Marco and the Floridan Cafe). When checking out, two girls were paying for their room, $ 100/nite(american bkfst included). Bottom line, never make internet reservations. Get the info. and make direct reservations with the hotel. Not that they overcharged me, they just gave me the executive top of the line room. Make a list of your priorities, location, view, size of room, type of bed, then ask the manager to give you a reasonsable room for your expectations. The same thing happened to me in PARIS. Most hotel now include excellent buffer bkfst. which can tide you over to a late lunch-dinner. Hopw this helps. Buy your full day vaporteto tickets beforehand (water transit and best way to get around). Gondola trip cost us Lts. 120.000 and can be Lts. 180.000 (short smelly ride), do it if you must, but the vaporeto gives you a nice ride on the main canal, no smells included, better price deal.

2500 a night?

$2,500 a night? Dollars? Is this a typo? Remember, maybe those 2 girls had made reservations way in advance, securing a regular room, but when you made your reservation, they may have only had suites available.

Logan

A guy named Robert hit the nail on the head: two best at that price range are Pensione Accademia and Hotel Calcina, both in Dorsoduro, right across the Accademia bridge. I've also stayed at Hotel Ala in S.Marco and liked it just fine...excellent location; a bit overpriced in high season.

julia

Anyone hear of Hotel Astoria? We got the name from Rick Steeve's book.

John

In July my wife and I stayed at the Pensione Accademia in Venice--and loved it. Small hotel,charming staff, lovely little quiet garden, excellent location just off the grand canal by the accademia bridge. Room was small, but everything else about the place was wonderful.Their website:http://www.pensioneaccademia.it/home-en.htm <BR>Price is higher than $125--was more like $160. <BR> <BR>Buon Viaggio <BR>G