Venice, Italy

Have you read the Rick Steves' Venice book? Tons of information there. If you don't want to use the RS (I would) you could read any good guide. They will give pluses and minuses for many of the sestiere and tips on transport and sights, and well researched and up to date information on lots of different hotels in different places and prices (especially the RS book).

I like the Dorsoduro section. Best is close to the Academia bridge. It's walking distance to the Piazza (San Marco, Doge's Palace, etc) but residential, much quieter than the touristy areas around the Piazza and the Rialto Bridge.

Venice is very compact, so the specific neighborhood doesn't make that much difference. That said, the Dorsoduro n'hood is charming and close to where the cruise ships dock.

Thanks so much to everyone for your information. I will check out the area of Dorsoduro. One more question - What would one expect to pay for a water taxie from the airport to Doroduro area, and then on the same topic,
what would one pay for a gondola ride or a taxie from the Dorodura are to the pier ?

Private water taxi from the aiport should be around 100 euro for the boat for the trip. Gondola ride in the vicinity of 80-100 euro Water taxi to the cruise ship port, probably in the 50-60 euro range.

Gondola rides are very expensive and not used as transportation but rather for tourists' amusement. If you're looking for cheap transportation, check out the vaporetti instead of water taxis.

I've stayed in various neighborhoods, but prefer the Castello district. It's close walking distance to major sights and yet feels like it's away from the busy areas.

Deborah, be sure to note the "s" in Dorsoduro. (You've called it Doroduro and Dorodura.) The reason I point this out is that without the "s", the Italians won't know what you're talking about, since doroduro means "of hard gold" (d'oro duro). Happy travels.

We spent 3 nights at the Casa Verardo, which was near San Marco, IMO convenient to what you might want to see in 2 days. I was concerned the area would be noisy with tourists but it was not. I thought it was a nice hotel for a good value for Venice, not inexpensive but atmospheric. Booked a canal room which was only used by locals- you could have been dropped off there by a water taxi.
Not too hard to find, close to the Zeccariah vaporetto stop by St Marks.

You'll be between the Arsenale and St. Mark's. You're very close to the public gardens, so do go east from your hotel at some point to check them out when you want a break from the crowds and when you want to see a lot of green. Happy travels.

Thanks everyone for your help. We are not leaving for 2 months, and I can not believe how difficult it was to find a hotel on Venice Island.
After researching 20 great hotels, all from the Rick Steves book on Venice, I received about 20 " I am sorry, we are all booked", And happy to report I just got a "YES" !! yea!!!!!!!! The hotel received good ratings from Rick Steves and seems to be close to everything and away from the crowds. It is Hotel La Resideneza in the Castello area of Venice Island. It looks like on the map that it is in walking distance to many of the major landmarks. Has anyone stayed in this area? Do you know of good places to eat? Thanks again for all you help.