OT: Hotel rec in Venice

I've just booked a cruise through the Greek islands that begins in
Venice. I need a hotel for a couple nights before we depart, and
location is key... I've never been to Venice, and I doubt my travel
agent has either. (yeah, I know, but she's a friend and I prefer to
help a person keep her job rather than do everything online)
So I'd love a recommendation of a hotel in a good location near places
to eat, shop & sightsee. And of course, any great shopping tips and
must–see/must–buy/must–do tips from the experts on AF.
thanks,
Cary

I've just booked a cruise through the Greek islands that begins in
Venice. I need a hotel for a couple nights before we depart, and
location is key... I've never been to Venice, and I doubt my travel
agent has either. (yeah, I know, but she's a friend and I prefer to
help a person keep her job rather than do everything online)
So I'd love a recommendation of a hotel in a good location near places
to eat, shop & sightsee. And of course, any great shopping tips and
must–see/must–buy/must–do tips from the experts on AF.
thanks,
Cary

Cary:
This is easy since my last really really big overseas trip was Venice,
in 2000. We stayed at the hotel Canaletto:
http://www.tours–italy.com/venice/hotels/canaletto.htm
It's not the Denali or Gritti Palace but IMO it's more convenient and
is plenty comfortable. Our room overlooked a patio and the other rooms
were empty so we had it to ourselves when we were there. It's
reasonably priced for an expensive city. The drawback was with it in
the middle of everything, it got noisy in the streets in the am when
the tourists would pour into town. But it was worth the convenience.
Also, it's off a main drag that has lovely shops, bars and a grocery
store down the street if you want to pick up food to go or snacks for
the room.
Rialto has some nice shops amongst the touristy ones, on the middle of
the bridge itself on the right as you're coming from San Marco, there's
a handbag and luggage shop that sells its own handmade leather bags.
They'll probably give you a discount if you pay in cash and chat them
up a bit – that worked for me. Just off the bridge on the right is
Rialto 79 a shop that makes well designed but reasonable glass jewelry.
It's small so you'll need to look for it amongst the souvenir stands
but it's there and it's gorgeous. I did much xmas shopping there. On
the San Marco side of the Rialto is the Coin dept store. It's beauty
section is next to the Grande canal (and has a great view of the
bridge, I leaned out the window and snapped a pic). The other building
across the street has clothes, accessories and housewares.
Drop me an email if you need more info. I'll scrounge around and figure
out where we ate and send more on sightseeing.
xo,
Vicki

Cary:
This is easy since my last really really big overseas trip was Venice,
in 2000. We stayed at the hotel Canaletto:
http://www.tours–italy.com/venice/hotels/canaletto.htm
It's not the Denali or Gritti Palace but IMO it's more convenient and
is plenty comfortable. Our room overlooked a patio and the other rooms
were empty so we had it to ourselves when we were there. It's
reasonably priced for an expensive city. The drawback was with it in
the middle of everything, it got noisy in the streets in the am when
the tourists would pour into town. But it was worth the convenience.
Also, it's off a main drag that has lovely shops, bars and a grocery
store down the street if you want to pick up food to go or snacks for
the room.
Rialto has some nice shops amongst the touristy ones, on the middle of
the bridge itself on the right as you're coming from San Marco, there's
a handbag and luggage shop that sells its own handmade leather bags.
They'll probably give you a discount if you pay in cash and chat them
up a bit – that worked for me. Just off the bridge on the right is
Rialto 79 a shop that makes well designed but reasonable glass jewelry.
It's small so you'll need to look for it amongst the souvenir stands
but it's there and it's gorgeous. I did much xmas shopping there. On
the San Marco side of the Rialto is the Coin dept store. It's beauty
section is next to the Grande canal (and has a great view of the
bridge, I leaned out the window and snapped a pic). The other building
across the street has clothes, accessories and housewares.
Drop me an email if you need more info. I'll scrounge around and figure
out where we ate and send more on sightseeing.
xo,
Vicki

caryper...@aol.com <caryper...@aol.com> wrote:
We stayed at the Londra Palace on the Grand Canal last Fall and were very
happy there. We got a "good" price from Orbitz. (Tchaikovsky composed
his fourth symphony while living in the Londra, and it's a few doors from
Vivaldi's church.) http://www.hotelondra.it/
I highly recommend La Corte Sconta restaurant for the freshest
seafood and perfectly steamed veggies. Have your concierge make
reservations for you – it's very popular. The owner speaks about
seven languages, and she will explain everything on the menu.

caryper...@aol.com <caryper...@aol.com> wrote:
We stayed at the Londra Palace on the Grand Canal last Fall and were very
happy there. We got a "good" price from Orbitz. (Tchaikovsky composed
his fourth symphony while living in the Londra, and it's a few doors from
Vivaldi's church.) http://www.hotelondra.it/
I highly recommend La Corte Sconta restaurant for the freshest
seafood and perfectly steamed veggies. Have your concierge make
reservations for you – it's very popular. The owner speaks about
seven languages, and she will explain everything on the menu.

Cary:
This is easy since my last really really big overseas trip was Venice,
in 2000. We stayed at the hotel Canaletto:
http://www.tours–italy.com/venice/hotels/canaletto.htm
It's not the Denali or Gritti Palace but IMO it's more convenient and
is plenty comfortable. Our room overlooked a patio and the other rooms
were empty so we had it to ourselves when we were there. It's
reasonably priced for an expensive city. The drawback was with it in
the middle of everything, it got noisy in the streets in the am when
the tourists would pour into town. But it was worth the convenience.
Also, it's off a main drag that has lovely shops, bars and a grocery
store down the street if you want to pick up food to go or snacks for
the room.
Rialto has some nice shops amongst the touristy ones, on the middle of
the bridge itself on the right as you're coming from San Marco, there's
a handbag and luggage shop that sells its own handmade leather bags.
They'll probably give you a discount if you pay in cash and chat them
up a bit – that worked for me. Just off the bridge on the right is
Rialto 79 a shop that makes well designed but reasonable glass jewelry.
It's small so you'll need to look for it amongst the souvenir stands
but it's there and it's gorgeous. I did much xmas shopping there. On
the San Marco side of the Rialto is the Coin dept store. It's beauty
section is next to the Grande canal (and has a great view of the
bridge, I leaned out the window and snapped a pic). The other building
across the street has clothes, accessories and housewares.
Drop me an email if you need more info. I'll scrounge around and figure
out where we ate and send more on sightseeing.
xo,
Vicki

Cary:
This is easy since my last really really big overseas trip was Venice,
in 2000. We stayed at the hotel Canaletto:
http://www.tours–italy.com/venice/hotels/canaletto.htm
It's not the Denali or Gritti Palace but IMO it's more convenient and
is plenty comfortable. Our room overlooked a patio and the other rooms
were empty so we had it to ourselves when we were there. It's
reasonably priced for an expensive city. The drawback was with it in
the middle of everything, it got noisy in the streets in the am when
the tourists would pour into town. But it was worth the convenience.
Also, it's off a main drag that has lovely shops, bars and a grocery
store down the street if you want to pick up food to go or snacks for
the room.
Rialto has some nice shops amongst the touristy ones, on the middle of
the bridge itself on the right as you're coming from San Marco, there's
a handbag and luggage shop that sells its own handmade leather bags.
They'll probably give you a discount if you pay in cash and chat them
up a bit – that worked for me. Just off the bridge on the right is
Rialto 79 a shop that makes well designed but reasonable glass jewelry.
It's small so you'll need to look for it amongst the souvenir stands
but it's there and it's gorgeous. I did much xmas shopping there. On
the San Marco side of the Rialto is the Coin dept store. It's beauty
section is next to the Grande canal (and has a great view of the
bridge, I leaned out the window and snapped a pic). The other building
across the street has clothes, accessories and housewares.
Drop me an email if you need more info. I'll scrounge around and figure
out where we ate and send more on sightseeing.
xo,
Vicki

caryper...@aol.com <caryper...@aol.com> wrote:
We stayed at the Londra Palace on the Grand Canal last Fall and were very
happy there. We got a "good" price from Orbitz. (Tchaikovsky composed
his fourth symphony while living in the Londra, and it's a few doors from
Vivaldi's church.) http://www.hotelondra.it/
I highly recommend La Corte Sconta restaurant for the freshest
seafood and perfectly steamed veggies. Have your concierge make
reservations for you – it's very popular. The owner speaks about
seven languages, and she will explain everything on the menu.

caryper...@aol.com <caryper...@aol.com> wrote:
We stayed at the Londra Palace on the Grand Canal last Fall and were very
happy there. We got a "good" price from Orbitz. (Tchaikovsky composed
his fourth symphony while living in the Londra, and it's a few doors from
Vivaldi's church.) http://www.hotelondra.it/
I highly recommend La Corte Sconta restaurant for the freshest
seafood and perfectly steamed veggies. Have your concierge make
reservations for you – it's very popular. The owner speaks about
seven languages, and she will explain everything on the menu.

Cary,
My fave in Venice is the Locanda Fiorita. Last time we were there they
were almost done with a serious renovation (this must have been 1999 or
so) and even so it was great. They throw breakfast––the Italian version
of it anyway––and, when you check in you MUST ask for either of the
rooms with a pergola–ed terrace. Killer view.
It is beautiful, well–situated, and a surprising steal (should be no
more than $125/night, even with our dollar). The concierge service is
top–rate and will cheerfully direct you not only to the Big Deal
Shopping, but the steals and local favorites. (The silk and crystal
stuff in particular)
http://www.locandafiorita.com/
–Joe in SoFla

Cary,
My fave in Venice is the Locanda Fiorita. Last time we were there they
were almost done with a serious renovation (this must have been 1999 or
so) and even so it was great. They throw breakfast––the Italian version
of it anyway––and, when you check in you MUST ask for either of the
rooms with a pergola–ed terrace. Killer view.
It is beautiful, well–situated, and a surprising steal (should be no
more than $125/night, even with our dollar). The concierge service is
top–rate and will cheerfully direct you not only to the Big Deal
Shopping, but the steals and local favorites. (The silk and crystal
stuff in particular)
http://www.locandafiorita.com/
–Joe in SoFla

Cary,
My fave in Venice is the Locanda Fiorita. Last time we were there they
were almost done with a serious renovation (this must have been 1999 or
so) and even so it was great. They throw breakfast––the Italian version
of it anyway––and, when you check in you MUST ask for either of the
rooms with a pergola–ed terrace. Killer view.
It is beautiful, well–situated, and a surprising steal (should be no
more than $125/night, even with our dollar). The concierge service is
top–rate and will cheerfully direct you not only to the Big Deal
Shopping, but the steals and local favorites. (The silk and crystal
stuff in particular)
http://www.locandafiorita.com/
–Joe in SoFla

Cary,
My fave in Venice is the Locanda Fiorita. Last time we were there they
were almost done with a serious renovation (this must have been 1999 or
so) and even so it was great. They throw breakfast––the Italian version
of it anyway––and, when you check in you MUST ask for either of the
rooms with a pergola–ed terrace. Killer view.
It is beautiful, well–situated, and a surprising steal (should be no
more than $125/night, even with our dollar). The concierge service is
top–rate and will cheerfully direct you not only to the Big Deal
Shopping, but the steals and local favorites. (The silk and crystal
stuff in particular)
http://www.locandafiorita.com/
–Joe in SoFla

<caryper...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1115653765.634371.243...@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
We stayed at the Hotel Kette. The gondoliers are right outside your
window and the location is fabulous. www.hotelkette.com The shops are
around the corner, as is the Piazza San Marco. Do take the water taxi
to Murano, Burano and the third island. In Burano you'll find better
glass prices than Murano. You know I always go for the leather and gold
bracelets for gifts because they are easy to pack and the glass is
amazing.
Audrey

<caryper...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1115653765.634371.243...@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
We stayed at the Hotel Kette. The gondoliers are right outside your
window and the location is fabulous. www.hotelkette.com The shops are
around the corner, as is the Piazza San Marco. Do take the water taxi
to Murano, Burano and the third island. In Burano you'll find better
glass prices than Murano. You know I always go for the leather and gold
bracelets for gifts because they are easy to pack and the glass is
amazing.
Audrey

<caryper...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1115653765.634371.243...@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
We stayed at the Hotel Kette. The gondoliers are right outside your
window and the location is fabulous. www.hotelkette.com The shops are
around the corner, as is the Piazza San Marco. Do take the water taxi
to Murano, Burano and the third island. In Burano you'll find better
glass prices than Murano. You know I always go for the leather and gold
bracelets for gifts because they are easy to pack and the glass is
amazing.
Audrey

<caryper...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1115653765.634371.243...@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
We stayed at the Hotel Kette. The gondoliers are right outside your
window and the location is fabulous. www.hotelkette.com The shops are
around the corner, as is the Piazza San Marco. Do take the water taxi
to Murano, Burano and the third island. In Burano you'll find better
glass prices than Murano. You know I always go for the leather and gold
bracelets for gifts because they are easy to pack and the glass is
amazing.
Audrey

"JoeinSoFla" <jmgarcia...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1115666312.740856.197...@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
Wow how refreshing. Everything is so overpriced in Venice because of the
premium it draws due to being such a must see tourist destination. Still, I
wouldn't miss it ;) Cary, I will email you my pseudo romantic Venice story
(from 20 yrs ago, lol).
Claire

"JoeinSoFla" <jmgarcia...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1115666312.740856.197...@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
Wow how refreshing. Everything is so overpriced in Venice because of the
premium it draws due to being such a must see tourist destination. Still, I
wouldn't miss it ;) Cary, I will email you my pseudo romantic Venice story
(from 20 yrs ago, lol).
Claire

"JoeinSoFla" <jmgarcia...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1115666312.740856.197...@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
Wow how refreshing. Everything is so overpriced in Venice because of the
premium it draws due to being such a must see tourist destination. Still, I
wouldn't miss it ;) Cary, I will email you my pseudo romantic Venice story
(from 20 yrs ago, lol).
Claire

"JoeinSoFla" <jmgarcia...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1115666312.740856.197...@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
Wow how refreshing. Everything is so overpriced in Venice because of the
premium it draws due to being such a must see tourist destination. Still, I
wouldn't miss it ;) Cary, I will email you my pseudo romantic Venice story
(from 20 yrs ago, lol).
Claire

Claire,
Venice is one of those places that I only rates an "Eh...'s OK." with
me, even if it's a steal. Still, if one must go (and, if one is
traveling to Italy with any remotely sentient female human, it seems to
be a must). They key to not getting fleeced in Venice is to wander out
of the San Marco area as quickly as possible. The place is a minefield
of tourist traps. I say wander around Cannaregio, Dorsoduro and San
Polo. Sure, you won't find people speaking English, but the prices all
drop by 50% and the food and crafts become more authentic.
–Joe in SoFla

Claire,
Venice is one of those places that I only rates an "Eh...'s OK." with
me, even if it's a steal. Still, if one must go (and, if one is
traveling to Italy with any remotely sentient female human, it seems to
be a must). They key to not getting fleeced in Venice is to wander out
of the San Marco area as quickly as possible. The place is a minefield
of tourist traps. I say wander around Cannaregio, Dorsoduro and San
Polo. Sure, you won't find people speaking English, but the prices all
drop by 50% and the food and crafts become more authentic.
–Joe in SoFla

Claire,
Venice is one of those places that I only rates an "Eh...'s OK." with
me, even if it's a steal. Still, if one must go (and, if one is
traveling to Italy with any remotely sentient female human, it seems to
be a must). They key to not getting fleeced in Venice is to wander out
of the San Marco area as quickly as possible. The place is a minefield
of tourist traps. I say wander around Cannaregio, Dorsoduro and San
Polo. Sure, you won't find people speaking English, but the prices all
drop by 50% and the food and crafts become more authentic.
–Joe in SoFla

Claire,
Venice is one of those places that I only rates an "Eh...'s OK." with
me, even if it's a steal. Still, if one must go (and, if one is
traveling to Italy with any remotely sentient female human, it seems to
be a must). They key to not getting fleeced in Venice is to wander out
of the San Marco area as quickly as possible. The place is a minefield
of tourist traps. I say wander around Cannaregio, Dorsoduro and San
Polo. Sure, you won't find people speaking English, but the prices all
drop by 50% and the food and crafts become more authentic.
–Joe in SoFla

"JoeinSoFla" <jmgarcia...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1115900202.585809.182...@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
The best thing is do start walking and become totally lost. You never
know what you'll find.
Audrey

"JoeinSoFla" <jmgarcia...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1115900202.585809.182...@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
The best thing is do start walking and become totally lost. You never
know what you'll find.
Audrey

"JoeinSoFla" <jmgarcia...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1115900202.585809.182...@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
The best thing is do start walking and become totally lost. You never
know what you'll find.
Audrey

"JoeinSoFla" <jmgarcia...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1115900202.585809.182...@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
The best thing is do start walking and become totally lost. You never
know what you'll find.
Audrey

Thank you for your recommendations. I gave them all to my travel
agent, but they were all unavailable. Apparently it's the opening days
of the Biennale of Art in Venice (whatever that is – I must get on it
and do some checking – but it's all clandestine because the trip is a
surprise for my husband and he's around this weekend) so hotels are
scarce.
She finally found me a room for 170 euros/night at the Amadeus. I just
said OK since I was worried that I'd paid for an air extension and now
had nowhere to stay!
Now I'm shopping for dresses and counting the days.
Cary

Thank you for your recommendations. I gave them all to my travel
agent, but they were all unavailable. Apparently it's the opening days
of the Biennale of Art in Venice (whatever that is – I must get on it
and do some checking – but it's all clandestine because the trip is a
surprise for my husband and he's around this weekend) so hotels are
scarce.
She finally found me a room for 170 euros/night at the Amadeus. I just
said OK since I was worried that I'd paid for an air extension and now
had nowhere to stay!
Now I'm shopping for dresses and counting the days.
Cary

Thank you for your recommendations. I gave them all to my travel
agent, but they were all unavailable. Apparently it's the opening days
of the Biennale of Art in Venice (whatever that is – I must get on it
and do some checking – but it's all clandestine because the trip is a
surprise for my husband and he's around this weekend) so hotels are
scarce.
She finally found me a room for 170 euros/night at the Amadeus. I just
said OK since I was worried that I'd paid for an air extension and now
had nowhere to stay!
Now I'm shopping for dresses and counting the days.
Cary

Thank you for your recommendations. I gave them all to my travel
agent, but they were all unavailable. Apparently it's the opening days
of the Biennale of Art in Venice (whatever that is – I must get on it
and do some checking – but it's all clandestine because the trip is a
surprise for my husband and he's around this weekend) so hotels are
scarce.
She finally found me a room for 170 euros/night at the Amadeus. I just
said OK since I was worried that I'd paid for an air extension and now
had nowhere to stay!
Now I'm shopping for dresses and counting the days.
Cary

caryper...@aol.com <caryper...@aol.com> wrote:
For future reference: we stayed in Venice last fall during the confluence
of the film festival and the Biennale. Our travel agent–friend could not
book a room at the Hotel Londra, which we wanted, and suggested that we
do it ourselves online. A room at the hotel was available online at a
special internet price!
Please report on the Amadeus when you return, and have a wonderful
trip!

caryper...@aol.com <caryper...@aol.com> wrote:
For future reference: we stayed in Venice last fall during the confluence
of the film festival and the Biennale. Our travel agent–friend could not
book a room at the Hotel Londra, which we wanted, and suggested that we
do it ourselves online. A room at the hotel was available online at a
special internet price!
Please report on the Amadeus when you return, and have a wonderful
trip!

caryper...@aol.com <caryper...@aol.com> wrote:
For future reference: we stayed in Venice last fall during the confluence
of the film festival and the Biennale. Our travel agent–friend could not
book a room at the Hotel Londra, which we wanted, and suggested that we
do it ourselves online. A room at the hotel was available online at a
special internet price!
Please report on the Amadeus when you return, and have a wonderful
trip!

caryper...@aol.com <caryper...@aol.com> wrote:
For future reference: we stayed in Venice last fall during the confluence
of the film festival and the Biennale. Our travel agent–friend could not
book a room at the Hotel Londra, which we wanted, and suggested that we
do it ourselves online. A room at the hotel was available online at a
special internet price!
Please report on the Amadeus when you return, and have a wonderful
trip!