4 Star Hotels Venice and Bologna?

The star system is different in Europe from the US.
That being said, we just stayed at the Hotel Ai Mori D'Oriente in the Cannaregio area of Venice. It's on a quiet canal in a peaceful neighborhood. The breakfast was great , along with the service. Book directly for a discount .

We used to stay at the Venezia Grand Hotel Palazzo Dei Dogi, but the new ownership raised the prices too much. There is actually a large garden area and a dock on the bay looking towards Murano, which makes for nice place to watch the sunset with a glass of wine. This hotel is close to the above hotel, in the Cannaregio area, and is also on a quiet canal.

Have a great trip!

Bologna: Grand Majestic gia Baglioni; Hotel Emilia
Venice: Hotel Papadapoli

Hotels in Venice are VERY expensive. We found an affordable BNB not far from the main train station and it was nice.

Venice - Sina Palazzo Sant'Angelo - lovely hotel on the canal. Loved it!

We liked Baglioni Hotel Luna which is near St Mark's Square but on an side street. It was convenient to walk to many places and also near the vaparetto stops. It was nice to be able to stop back at the hotel for a break midday. The breakfast was wonderful!

"we just stayed at the Hotel Ai Mori D'Oriente in the Cannaregio area of Venice. It's on a quiet canal in a peaceful neighborhood."

I love this part of Cannaregio because it is so peaceful and have stayed in Ai Mori D'Oriente several (many-ish) years ago. I remember it as little jewel-box of a place. Glad to read it's still good.