Hi all,

My daughter and I are doing a trip to Venice in early Jan. It is my second visit and her first. We are trying to choose accommodations. Should we stay in Castello near vaporetto stop and a short distance from San Marco or stay in Cannaregio by Rialto bridge?

Thanks!

Are those two locations the only options?

If you are near the Rialto Bridge you are more central and also, still close to Piazza San Marco.

Assuming this is after the 6th holiday the only thing that changes is the crowds should be a bit smaller. But the crowds in my experience are always around the bridge area. Not saying the square isn't crowded but it does seem easier to get away from the crowds.

Being near the stop might make it easier to get to assuming you take the vaporetto from the station.

But it's not like the bridge and the square are in different time zones. The two are relatively close

Yes, we want to be around these two districts or San Marco.

One option is Ca di dio as it right next to a vaporetto stop. Also like the lagoon views, but from Google I see some ongoing construction there.

The other hotel option is Al Ponte Antico.

Any thoughts on these two?

We stayed at the Al Ponte Antico and it was truly fabulous. One of my favorite hotels/ inns anywhere. The breakfast was amazing. The staff is wonderful. We stayed in the Junior Suite and adored it. I booked it based on the advice of a Fodorite who has stayed there many times and now I know why. I can't wait to return.

Just a quick comment - we loved arriving and departing by water taxi.


Night views from our room

For the past several years I have been staying in Castello close to Arsenale, but a little more off the beaten track/northerly than Ca' di Dio. I think in January that would be an excellent location, as there will likely be fewer people mobbing the Riva Ca di Dio than when I tend to visit. (Was there last in October 2025.)

Treviso

Both seem to be good choices. Difficult decision!!

Hi Fodorites,

I decided to go with Al Ponte Antico because small luxury hotels we can find anywhere but to be in a palazzo right on Grand canal is a uniquely Venice experience. Plus the hotel indeed has rave reviews for its hospitality. Looking forward to it!

thank you!

arriving
You won't be disappointed. It is simply wonderful.
I highly recommend arriving and departing by water taxi. That was the icing on the cake.
(When we departed, we moved to another hotel my friend had chosen close to Piazza San Marco. Not a fan of that hotel nor that location).
Enjoy!

Oh I don’t know about water taxis in winter. Last visit we went to Murano. It was a cold day and we were bouncing around in a closed cabin. That was not fun. I am scarred from that experience!

Starrs

Al Ponte Antico is up there with L’Abbaye. A perfect place.

I love them both SO much!

Good to see you here!

Starrs,

Thank you!

I was watching an episode of Rick Steves in Venice and he was staying there… not his typical type of hotel although he stayed at the Ambassade in Amsterdam which is also on the pricey side.

Wow. Definitely not Rick Steve's normal lodging.

I chose it based on Fodorite raves, in particular annw. So glad I did!

Probably closing out my trifecta of favorites would be Canaves Oia (the original one) in Oia, Greece. I had to wait 14 years after my friend's trip to finally get there. If I knew I only had limited time on this earth and were well enough to travel, those three would be on my short list.

Adding - I'd also try to stay at the Hassler Roma at the top of the Spanish steps in Rome. I've not stayed there...yet.

If you want to splash out in London stay at one of the Firmdale properties. I have stayed in every one and all are just terrific. The Charlotte Street is my all time favorite hotel.

Really?!

I have wanted to stay at the Crosby Street hotel in NYC for a couple of years! It's a Firmdale.

Jealous that you've stayed in all the ones in London. I probably won't ever stay in one in London, but I'll add it to my list. So far in London I've stayed in hubs and Hiltons using points. Pretty the polar opposite of Firmdales.

Just finished our stay in Al Ponte Antico. This place certainly lives up to the reviews here. So glad we chose this hotel. Amazing location and the suite right on Grand Canal is precious! We did take the water taxi from the airport and glad we did.