Venice hotel recommendations

How about a recommendation on best "area" to stay in. We are a group of four (2 couples) and have never been to Venice so we will look to see some of the common, must see things. Does that mean we should stay near San Marco area or is staying outside the main stay area (Papadopoli Venice Hotel) ok? We are ok with most costs, but want to stay in a nice place that will allow us to see what we should and not spend countless hours just traveling around within Venice.

We like the Dorsoduro. I haven't heard of the hotel you mention, unless it is the former Sofitel, or nearby it?

We just got back from Italy and spent a night at Best Windows Hotel on Piazza San Marco. Just google the hotel and the suites are exactly what the pictures portray (all trip advisor reviews were good). Your view is from the 2nd or 3rd floor over St. Mark's square from the Clock Tower building. You actually check in at a nearby hotel (The Panda) and the manager walked us over to the room. If you decided to stay there, make sure you mapquest directions to the check in Hotel. Fortunatey, we had a GPS, so found our way to The Panda that way. Beautiful romantic room! We wanted a suite, and a view, so $284E wasn't bad compared to other hotels we looked into in Venice.

We enjoyed our stay at Hotel Paive. It is in the guide book and has a great location. It is pretty much right in between the Rialto Bridge and San Marco Square. Only about 5 minutes from each.

Did you know that the hotel star rating in Italy is not a quality rating? It only tells you what kinds of amenities are offered (e.g. 24-hr front desk, parking, elevator). We like Pensione Guerrato in Venice - a long time RS recommendation. It's well located near Rialto. As for convenience to sites, Venice is very compact, as you'll see with a little more research. Happy travels.

http://www.hotelbelsitovenezia.it/ita/index.aspx We stayed at Hotel bel Sito. The thing that was appealing to us was that it was on a small campo (Campo de Giglio). It was also about 50 yards away from the Vaporetto stop. When you're lugging the suitcases do you want to walk a long way or cross the street with them? In venice when you cross the street, you cross over a canal. Up the steps, catch your breath and then down the other set of steps. Just think what a pain it is if you have to cross several bridges? So, just walking straight to the hotel was kind of important when I have a bad knee and I was tired. The hotel is a ten minute walk to San Marco, five minutes from the Academia bridge and about 15 minutes from The Rialto bridge. You can even arrive at the rear door, via taxi. Michael is right about the rating system. The rooms are on the small side, but clean with all the amenities (our price included a typical European breakfast). It even had a working elevator. Check the reviews on TripAdvisor. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187870-d239474-Reviews-Bel_Sito_Berlino-Venice_Veneto.html

Would you consider a B&B rather than a hotel? I stayed this past summer at La Chicca and highly recommend it. The owners are very helpful. It's in the Dorsoduro, a short walk from the vaporetto, the Accademia and Peggy Guggenheim Museum, and a 15 or 20-min walk to San Marco. Almost everything in Venice is within walking distance, actually.

The Dorsoduro is a great area - quieter in the evenings, more residential than tourist, yet still a short walk (probably 5-7 minutes) to a vaporetto stop on the Grand Canal. It's easy walking distance to San Marco, the Frari Church, etc.

I used Tripadvisor.com to help choose a place to stay. We were there in May and stayed at Alla Vite Dorata in the Cannaregio area. Very nice 6 room B&B. We spent an afternoon walking in Dorsoduro and we thought that was a great area as well. Found an incredible bakery that I am sure I won't be able to find again. Have a great time!