Bed and Breakfast in Venice

I just don't recommend staying on Murano, period. There is not much more there than a lot of tacky glass shops and industrial furnaces. I was disappointed. Save it for a day trip or better yet, another trip. If you want to stay somewhere other than the heavily touristed main islands of Venice and are looking for a quaint place to stay, you might want to look at Burano. Although, it is very tiny and there's not much to do there and it takes a while by ferry to get there. Another alternative is Lido. Your best bet is to stay in the main part of Venice and take in everything else as a day trip.

Virginia - Murano is nice to visit and sit and watch glass blowing - Not a nice place to stay.
After many years in Venezia, and, since you're only going to be there two nights, I would suggest -
http://www.hotelcasanova.it/ My friends Franco and Stefano will take good care of you - The Hotel is located directly behind Piazza San Marco and perfectly easy to walk to The Markets of Rialto, The Grand Canal, and, of course, Piazza San Marco itself.
Be sure to catch The "Battle of The Bands" each night in the square , as the Cafes compete musically for your attention.
The Hotel will also give you - FREE - water taxi tickets to go to Murano and then on to The Island of Burano, famous for lace and embroidery. A fun water taxi ride and all free.

Ciao, Greg

Virginia I agree with the above posters that you do not want to stay on the island of Murano. Stay in Venice and with 2 nights I wouldn't even bother going to the islands as there is so much to see in Venice itself. That said, we love the island of Burano and the brightly colored houses.

Thanks to everyone for your help. We will stay in Venice and just visit Murano.

Do consider Pensione Guerrato near the Rialto Bridge. We've stayed there twice and they're really great.

I have just returned from Venice and stayed at Hotel Tivoli, near San Toma vaporetto stop in Dorsoduro area. Very clean, very quiet, very reasonable, great breakfast.

Murano...Yuk! You will be disappointed. Here is another suggestion. Go to the San Giorgio Maggiore Church located just across the water from St. Mark's square on Isola San Giorgio. It is beautiful, light, and bright inside and my favorite church to visit. Go to the top of the belltower (elevator) and get a magnificent, panoramic view of Venice! Take the Isola San Giorgio vaporetto.

http://www.churchesofvenice.co.uk/index.htm

Thanks for all the advice. The pensionne is rather steep for us. We are now looking at Alloggi alla Scala. Any pros or cons?

Like Kathleen, I had a nice stay at the Tivoli. Quiet area just far enough away to be away from the crowds but a short pleasant walk to all the action, great breakfast, and just around the corner from Campo San Margherita, my favorite campo in Venice.

I just came back from Italy and stayed two nights in Venice at Locanda la Bricola, wonderfull B&B and great location.