What is the best neighborhood to stay in Venice?

I agree. The neighborhood is called Canereggio and is very close to the train station. We found a terrific hotel on a quiet calle (alley) called Hotel Abazzia. It was a former Carmelite Monastery and is a really nice property. The staff is great, the rooms are very clean, and the breakfast is substantial. We've stayed here several times and would again.

If you are coming from the airport the bridge that connects Piazzale Roma and Canereggio has steps and no ramps, which make humping a suitcase difficult. If you have the vaporetto pass board at Piazzale Rome and go one stop to the train station and then go directly to the hotel. This strategy saves navigating the steps on the bridge.

Buon viaggio,

I loved staying near the Academia Bridge in Dorsoduro. Quiet, convenient to walk to sites, great selection of restaurants. Walking on the Zaterre in the evening enjoying a gelato and a cafe coretto.