Hotel vs. Apartment in Venice

I would go for the apartment. I've stayed in Venice solo a few times and have done it both ways. I had an apartment for each of my two three-day stays and a hotel for a one-night stay. The hotel was more convenient for a short stay, but otherwise I greatly preferred the freedom and comfort of the apartment. Although I never needed to, I knew I could have contacted the apartment owner if need be in an emergency. Perhaps I could have asked for restaurant recommendations too, but I didn't need to. FYI, you are free to wander into hotels and ask for recommendations even if you aren't staying there (presumably you would ask at a time when the hotel isn't busy).

If you rent an apartment then you rent it from "somebody" or some "agency". Pose the question to them about their support availability during the holidays.

I'd go for the apartment 100% as long as you rent from a reputable person or agency. Too cold on Christmas Day??? It's not like you'll be in North Pole, you know :-) Want restaurant recommendations - then just ask here or in the Venice Forum on TripAdvisor. Better yet - you'll have a kitchen so why not visit the supermarket and make your own Christmas Dinner? That sounds like great fun.

hey dcweiler4
with the amount of people in your group an apartment 100% like others have said. we always rent them for 4 of us friends. have you looked at any? i'd look for a 3 bedroom and 2 bathrooms. don't know what's open and closed for holidays, you can pick up something as take out day before or go to market and buy things to cook. make it an easy plan since you don't want to spend a lot on spices, oil, etc to leave behind. we bring coffee, filter, sugar, creamer from home. pick up snacks and breakfast items to keep in place. there are grocery stores in neighborhoods, the rialto market, look if paper towels, toilet paper, dish soap. we had a washer no dryer, took pods and some clothes pins with line. i'm sure there is a laundromat nearby, you can google it. look at booking.com put in filters, cross-pollinate.com, airb&b. for your group, tell everyone to pack light!! check motoscafivenezia.it (a private water taxi from airport to a vaporetto station as close to your place) for 110E total for all, picked up outside airport, put $$$ away in a "kitty" so much better. are you flying overseas to venice, check you times of arrival, too early can you check in or leave luggage or you'll be pushing over bridges and steps, lots of walking-wear comfy shoes. after venice are you traveling elsewhere? europeforvisitors.com has a section for venice. you guys will have lots of fun, stay warm brrrrrr. just some thoughts to think about. posters here are great, ask before you book anything and regret it.
aloha

I 100% concur that an apartment is the way to go for a group. Make sure it has a decent kitchen (check reviews) and load up on stuff for a nice Christmas breakfast. Ask the landlord in advance for advice on Christmas Eve and Day dining as you will need reservations.

Venice is lovely at Christmas! You might even get to go skating in Campo San Polo if they do the rink this year!

Ciao,
We love traveling as a family, and I would highly recommend renting an apartment. If you use Airbnb, read the reviews carefully and choose a Superhost, they are usually very helpful. They should be more than happy to assist you with ideas for restaurants, transportation, etc. Recently while in Rome, our host arranged transportation to the airport for us, at no extra charge.

At check in, ask any questions that you may have. Many host's come with a map, prepared to share information with you. We always love getting their opinion about the area.

Having older children ourselves, we loved having the extra space, and so did they :)

Enjoy!

Dianne

We've had great luck finding apartments all over Italy including Venice with booking.com.

One hint when booking for a large group, is to add an additional person or two to assure you find apartments with the bed and bath combination your looking for.

It's also very easy to connect with the accommodation and receive a reply.

Thank you all for your advice and suggestions! I have found two apartment options and have sent emails with questions to both.

hey dc
sounds good. let us know how you do. also with your group, get 2 sets of keys in case one wants to zig and another wants to zag. lots of alleyways leading to dead ends or canals, don't get upset turn around and go another way, that's the fun of it. where you headed to after venice? stay away from main plazas, food is expensive and cater to tourists (which we are) stroll down an alleyway and not one with menu with pictures out front or trying to "pull" you in.
aloha

You asked where we are headed after Venice. We are considering doing a day trip to Padua while in Venice. On 12/26 we will take the train to Florence and stay there 3 nights. May do a day trip to Sienna from Florence. Then considering taking a train to Orvieto on 12/29, staying overnight in Orvieto. Train to Rome on 12/30. We have reservations to see the Vatican Museums on 12/31 and will probably just do a self-guided walking tour of Rome on 1/01. Considering a long day trip to Pompeii on 1/02.

First son departs the morning of 1/03 from Rome. Three of us depart 1/04. The last two will depart 1/06--and what they do the last two days is theirs to plan!

I am trying to plan a few activities besides museums and churches. Our sons range in age from 16-26. I know we could easily spend all of our time in Venice, Florence, and Rome, but I know that we would all enjoy spending time in some smaller cities. If it were not winter, we would go hiking in the Dolomites.

My husband and I spent two weeks in Italy a mere 22 years ago, so my memories are a little fuzzy. I welcome your suggestions!
Thanks!