Help! We are a group of 6 elderly travelers (most in our 70’s) who are taking a cruise in November 2024 that originates in Trieste, but all flights are sending us to Marco Polo Airport in Venice. None of us has seen Venice and would like to book a couple of nights pre-cruise (Oct. 30-Nov.1). I’ve tried Air B&B, Expedia, Booking.com and AAdvantge Hotels (I’m an AA frequent flyer). We’d like to try and keep the cost per night around $200 or so per couple/room, but our issue is that so many lovely places in Venice proper have no elevator and most seem to have steep flights of multiple stairs. The better chances of locations with lifts/elevators seem to be hotels, most of which are in Murano or on the mainland. Is it worth the experience to bite the bullet and go for higher per night costs on Venice or can we see sights fairly easily during the day from locations not in Venice - via water taxis or other means? I guess we’re just trying to maximize our time and experience without risking knee and hip problems before we even start our cruise. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated! Many thanks.
Posted by
Calgary
1744 posts
Here are a couple of previous threads you might find helpful. Do double-check the information, as it might not be current.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/venice-hotel-with-elevator
This site might be helpful: https://europeforvisitors.com/venice/hotelmaps/accessible-venice-hotels.htm
Also, I don't know if this is in your budget, but this hotel claims to be accessible: https://www.palazzoveneziano.com/en/4-star-venice/accesible-hotel-heart-venice
And then there's this one: https://www.booking.com/hotel/it/venice-lance.html
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34010 posts
I have had a pleasant stay at Ca'Angeli which has its dining room overlooking the Grand Canal, bedrooms to the side. https://www.caangeli.it/en/ I think if memory serves that it is on the 5th floor. BUT they do have a lift. A small one but functional. Lovely people, really enjoyed it there. You'd need to look at their offers to see if it fits your budget. (all Venice is not cheap). The Ala may also have ground floor rooms and I think that in one part of the building (the rear part if I remember correctly) there is a lift (and excellent breakfast).
Both of those are convenient to vaporetto dock.
Posted by
Greeley, co, usa
2604 posts
I stayed here - Istituto San Guiseppe - a monastery stay. Great location midway between Rialto and San Marco. Good price and an elevator. check it out at monasterystays.com
Posted by
Portland
3644 posts
I would not succumb to the lure of lower prices on Murano or the mainland. You will waste too much time on transportation. Also, many of the important sights in Venice, like St. Marks, require that you go inside. Just going past in a water taxi is not sufficient to enjoy it’s grandeur.
Posted by
Green Bay
21226 posts
Is it worth the experience to bite the bullet and go for higher per night costs on Venice or can we see sights fairly easily during the day from locations not in Venice - via water taxis or other means?
Absolutely! Bite the bullet. Venice needs to be experienced after the day trippers have left town. This is one place you do not want to be a commuter. You might look for something near the train station to get your train to Trieste. With 6 people, you could spring for a water taxi from the airport.
Posted by
Phoenix🌵
3099 posts
Stay in Venice to really see the city. Day trips from Mestre and vaporetto rides to and from the outer islands are not the same experience.
I stay at https://www.cortecampana.com/ It’s a 3 bedroom B&B so if it’s available, your group can take over the whole place. Location is perfect: 5 to 10 minute walk to both San Marco and San Zaccaria vaporetto stop. There’s one easy flight of stairs up to the elevator so it’s not handicap accessible. I stayed here in 2022 and have reservations for this August.
My first visit to Venice in 2019, my sister-in-law and I stayed at https://www.rosasalvahotel.it/page/2/?lang=en. There is an elevator from the ground floor, but we always took stairs up one flight up/down. It’s convenient to San Marco.
I’m 73 so know both are accessible to seniors. Not all of us are “elderly”. If you’re not in walking physical shape, I suggest you begin stretching and balance exercises and start walking to increase your stamina. It will make your visit and tour excursions more enjoyable.
Posted by
Centennial, CO, US
2191 posts
I agree that it’d be best to stay in Venice if you can. But another consideration is the size/number of your pieces of luggage. The elevators in these old buildings are sometimes extremely small, allowing just one person and one suitcase inside at a time. Also, maneuvering large and/or multiple suitcases can be difficult in Venice.
So I’d suggest packing as lightly as possible. My husband and I have done several cruises (including one 35 day trip) with just a carry-on size suitcase apiece. Perhaps you’re already planning this, but if not, this forum has a lot of tips about how to accomplish it.
Posted by
Atlanta
5237 posts
Is it worth the experience to bite the bullet and go for higher per night costs on Venice...
Yes, absolutely yes! The best way to experience Venice is early in the morning and during the evening when the day trippers and not present. In the middle (crowded) part of the day, simply walk in any direction where there are fewer people. Before you know it, you'll be on some back street by yourselves and you'll start to see the real Venice.
Posted by
11611 posts
Stay in Venice itself or you won’t have the experience of being there! If you consider how much you are already spending on fights and a pricey cruise, relax and spend the money to book a place to stay IN Venice!
Posted by
Walnut Creek, CA
620 posts
Stay in Venice.
We stayed at the Hotel Olimpia Venice near the Piazzale Roma. It had an elevator and an excellent breakfast.
It was a short walk from the Pizzale Roma and the Vaporetto stop there.