Should we stay inside or outside of Venic?

I'd say 90% + of travelers (reporting in here on this forum) stay in Venice, not outside of Venice. The terms you used, "on the island" or "off the island" aren't seen much. You're either in Venice (expensive hotels) or you're not in Venice (less expensive). About 90% seem to pay the premium for sleeping in Venice rather than not in Venice, believing (I guess): you don't get what you don't pay foror is it, if you wanta play, you gotta pay.

The train ride from Venezia Santa Lucia to Mestre ("off the island") is only about 10 minutes. I think it is worth it to stay there to save some money. The trains run late enough that you can still experience the magic of Venice at night, but not have to pay the premium for staying on the island. I have stayed at Hotel President in Mestre and found it to be a nice, friendly mid-range/budget hotel.

I'm guessing you still have time to find hotels within your budget in Venice. I would not want to sacrifice staying in the city because the atmosphere at night is magical and its great to be beyond the reach of cars and motor bikes. Especially if you'll only be there for two days.

Thank you all so much for your suggestions.

Stay in Venice not in Mestre.

If you need to save some cash, stay in a 1 star.

I vote for staying on the island. You are only there for 2 days, and while it's a 10 minute train ride to the ugly mainland industrial city of Mestre, it might be an additional 1/2 hour getting to and from the train station. If you're on the island, more of your time is spent experiencing and enjoying the magic of Venice.

Stay in Venice -- for sure. Venice at night is wonderful. You are not going to want to leave and spend time commuting somewhere. We are going to stay this time at the Pensione Gueratto. We have a triple room for 145 euros/night. I have read great reports on trip advisor, and Rick Steves uses the hotel. They have been super in communication. Wherever you choose, stay inside Venice.

me too ;-) stay IN Venice if you can! (Mestre is very industrial and I find it a bit yucky) If not in Venice, then I would probably opt to stay in Padova.

Stay in Venice if at all possible. You can find a 1 or 2 star that is clean, and I think that this option would be worth it. It is so nice to be able to head back to the hotel to rest your feet and freshen up before going to dinner. We like to walk a lot after dinner, so being able to do this is great. Also, take into account how much you will spend on the train tickets each day and the lost time going back and forth. I would spend less money on food there (eat in pizza places, etc.) and put the money to the hotel in Venice. Whatever you decide, have a great trip!

Honestly, staying inside Venice is worth the extra expense. You would have to take a water taxi or Alilaguna if you stayed further away for the main "touristy" attractions and that takes more time and money. I had to get over the fact that Venice is really expensive and chalk it up to the experience.

Check out Trip Advisor for reviews. Stay near St. Mark's area because that is where many of the sites are located (Doge's Palace etc.) and you can walk instead of taking the boats.

Check out www.bestwestern.com They seem to have very reasonable rates with a/c in central Venice. Have fun!

I agree with those who say stay in Venice. It's possible to find lodging that is quite reasonable. Go to Eurocheapo.com, enter dates and city. The site will give you prices and ratings. Choose a lodging and you will be directed to venere.com where you can find photos and more reviews of a given lodging you have chosen. If you do not like that one, close the venere site, go back to eurocheapo and look for another. You can also go directly to venere.com and search there. Eurocheapo will give you only the lower-priced selections. Venere will give you all. However, on venere you can check the type of lodging--one-to-five star, b&b, etc. We'll be in Venice in later September; I did my lodging research through the two sites I am suggesting. We found a highly recommended hotel for 85-Euros/night. Good luck.

Stay in Venice - I have never been, but am going in a coupe of weeks and I got a good deal for a B&B - called Ca'Gottardi - for 3 nights - 300 euro total.

Allow me to add my vote to the 90% who say "Stay in Venice." Another poster really hit the nail on the head, pointing out how nice it is to be able to go back to your room in the middle of the day to freshen up or take a little nap. We've stayed at Pensione Guerrato twice and really loved it. Very reasonable rates for Venice.

No need to stay right in the centre of Venice in order be able to visit the main sites, you can cross through the city in about an hour. Consider some of the less central and more residential locations which have a quiet charm that is welcome after the hustle and bustle of the main tourist locations. For example, look at parts of Cannaregio or Dorsoduro.

We have stayed in Cannaregio & Dorsudoro and prefer both of these to staying close to St. Mark's. It's nice to be in a "neighborhood" and the best part of seeing Venice is to walk around in the areas that you can't see by boat. Take the ride up and down the Grand Canal to enjoy it when you first get there, then walk and see the streets not close to the main canals. Enjoy getting lost! Have a great trip!

Stay in Venice. After 7 or 8 in the evening almost all of the tourists have gone and the locals come out. I've found it to be an entirely differently experience. Last summer we stayed for 2 or 3 nights and were very pleased. It was my girl friend's first trip to Italy and she was enthralled. I booked a a room at Hotel Abbazia which was a 10 minute walk from the main station, Santa Lucia, off of La Lista di Spagna. They have their own website. One day we took an excursion to the northern lagoon to the Island of Burano, not Murano. It was a great afternoon.

RB

Stay in Venice! I'm one of the few people who think it's worth staying in a more expensive hotel. I splurged in Venice and stayed at Pension Accademia, fabulous place, great location, beautiful gardens. You'll see the real Venice if stay a little off the beaten track.

Stay in Venice - we leave tomorrow and we have 3 rooms at a b&b on the Grand Canal for two nights - total with VAT taxes was 535 euros (Ca'Angeli - well recommended on Trip Advisor and breakfast is, of course, included).

Definitely don't stay in Maestre (sorry if this offends anyone). Stay in Venice if you're able. If you are unable to find something in Venice proper, one option is to stay out in Padua and day-trip into Venice. It's only a short train ride away (30 min. at most) and is a great little town on its own merits. Trains go frequently back and forth and if you like a to escape crowds at the end of the day or if it's late enough that you can't find something in your price range, it's a good option.

Either way, Venice is magical, and make sure to wander off the main squares while you're there.

also first trip to italy in September;check out Priceline.com review winning bids for there site on biddingfortravel.com prior to bidding ---staying at hilton 5* in Venice $128.00 USD per for 2 nights free shuttle to San Marco