Hi, My husband and I are planning our 10th anniversary trip to Italy for this summer (June 2011). We are starting with 3 nights in Venice followed by 3 nights in Florence, 3 nights in Rome, and 4 nights in Sorrento. We like our hotel in Sorrento (Parco dei Principi) but are looking for some suggestions on hotels in Venice, Florence, and Rome. We have a decent sized budget, but don't want to pay a ton of money for "nothing special." I've read Rick Steve's recommendations and want to see what people think. In Venice, I keep thinking I'd like to stay on the Grand Canal. I like the hustle and bustle of the city, but I want to make sure that we have a great experience here. If you think the Grand Canal is a bad idea, please say so. Any suggestions on where we should stay here? I'd like a canal (Grand Canal or another canal) view room with a balcony or terrace if at all possible. I'd like to stay at the "dream hotel" for Venice - doesn't every girl? :) For Florence, I'm a little less opinionated. Again, I'd like to stay in the "dream hotel" for Florence. Any suggestions here? In Rome, I have a reservation that I need to confirm with Hotel Lancelot on the 6th floor. It's not the wedding suite that they offer, but it does have a terrace and a view of the colosseum. I'm not 100% sold on this, so I am open to suggestions. Thank you for your help in making this a vacation my husband and I will never forget! Amy
Posted by
Yountville, CA
83 posts
Re Venice: in my opinion, staying on the Grand Canal is a great idea. My wife and I stayed for a week at the Hotel Galleria room 10 which has a Grand Canal view. We enjoyed viewing the passing parade on the canal. However, there are no terraces or balconies at this hotel. See RS "Italy" and other sources for hotels on the Grand Canal that do have them.
Posted by
Chicago, IL, 60614
30 posts
Hi Amy, My husband and I are planning a similar anniversary trip for June - Venice, Rome and Positano. I also had sweet dreams of staying on the Grand Canal in Venice so after a a bit of research we decided on booking Al Ponte Antico. It's a bit of a splurge for us, but we were sold on the location, amazing reviews (check out trip advisor) and the vision of sipping spritzers on their gorgeous terrace overlooking the canal. It looks stunning! We booked just a standard room - since we figured we would probably spend a lot of time on the terrace. It might be worth checking out!
Posted by
partout
71 posts
In Venice, the Hotel Danieli in Venice is wonderful, but you have to make sure you get a room in the main (original) building. The building was originally a wealthy merchant's palace. Breakfast is served up on top of the hotel, with a fabulous view if I remember right.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33861 posts
Venice - Grand Canal suite or off Grand Canal larger room at Ca'Angeli
Posted by
Costa Mesa
348 posts
We stayed at Hotel Ca' Foscari and they had a beautiful room over looking the grand canal. What is your price point/budget ?
Posted by
Costa Mesa
348 posts
Posted by
OP
Lansing, MI, United States
2 posts
Thank you all for your help! I'm still undecided, but you've given me a lot of resources to look at. We're hoping to cut our costs a little by following Rick Steve's advice. We would like to be under $1200 (for 3 nights) in each city. From what I can see, it should be possible! Thanks again!
Posted by
Phoenix, AZ, USA
1035 posts
"We would like to be under $1200 (for 3 nights) in each city." Yeah, you'll scrape by!
Posted by
Diamondhead, MS
132 posts
We semi splurged (for us) in Venice. We opted for hotel Colombia. Not on the grand Canal but rather one of the small canals about 2 blocks behind St Marks. We opted for one of the non canal rooms but as I recall they had canal rooms. (We just wanted to be a short stroll to the square.) Being it's on a small canal. Rather than the large water bus traffic, you get the smaller water taxis and gondolas. They have a dock if arriving in Venice by water taxi. If you've never been to Venice. The streets of Venice are closer to alleys, Florence, we stayed at the Strozzi Palace Hotel. One of the bigger rooms we had in Italy. Nice. But probably about any hotel in the old part of town is good, as Florence is a great walking city. Rome. Sounds like you have what you want. We opted for Hotel Nerva. Across the street from Trajans Market, maybe 5 min walk to the Colosseum or Victor Emmanual. Maybe 10 min walk to Trevi Fountain. For some reason we always wound up at the Trevi fountain before going back to the hotel. And dinner. Sooo many options. Have fun. The planning is half the fun.