What's the best "part" of Venice to stay at?

Dorsoduro is close to the biggies and easy to get to and from. We stayed there in an apartment in 2004. Vaporetto service is frequent and serves many places there.

We really enjoyed staying in Santa Croce. It's close to the Rialto, but in a pretty quiet area of town, with access to lots of restaurants and all the sights.

All the sestiere have a slightly different feel, but all are nice. If you are talking about this September, then it may not be a matter of choosing the location but more of what will be available in your price range. We have always felt safe no matter where we stayed. Venice tends to go to bed early, so the crowds are non existant after dark.

You may want to take a look at what is available and then come back for suggestions on what you have found.

I stayed in Dorsoduro last year and really enjoyed it. Its close enough to San Marco square to walk or take the vaporetto and it was easy to get to everything else I wanted to see. The area seems quite a nice place to live and was reasonably quiet at night.

Another vote for the Dorsoduro area of Venice. And quiet at night = being able to sleep.

Dennell,

I stayed in a small budget Hotel close to San Marco (Albergo Doni - was listed in Rick's book), and found it to be a very convenient location! Close to the main sightseeing stops, close to a Vaporetto stop and on a quiet side street so it wasn't too noisy. There also seemed to be a good variety of restaurants in that area, so I didn't have to go far to find a meal.

Happy travels!

I stayed in Dorsoduro on my last visit and loved it. I much preferred this to the San Marco area. I can recommend the B&B Ca' Centopietre. Owner was delightful, rooms were immaculate, and it was not too far from the Accademia vaporetto stop.

Having stayed in various parts of Venice, Castello has become my favoite area. I find it to be a little more lively than Dorsoduro but more peaceful than San Marco or the area near Rialto bridge. That's the perfect mix for me.

San Marco is great. Hopefully budget is not an issue. If it is you may opt for area nr Piazzale Roma (venice) or in Mestre city and bus in.I can no longer afford $300/night.

It doesn't matter where you stay in Venice the city is very safe!!! You should not worry being women. Have fun!!!

There are lots of budget hotels (less than 125 Euros) in San Marco and Castello that are very well rated in Trip Advisor and in the RS guides...start contacting some of these...if these don't pan out, try Santa Croce (just across the Rialto Bridge)...lots of good medium priced restaurants there and right on the main route over the bridge to San Marco square.

Dennell,
I'm voting for Castello near the border with San Marco. We stayed at the Fontana Hotel which, unless you can't do stairs, was terrific. Diego at the reception speaks fluent English and is very charming -in a sweet way, and the neighborhood is quiet at night and VERY CONVENIENT to the sights and major vaporetto stops. not only is it only a 5 min. walk to ST. MArk's, it is just about in the skinniest part of the "fish's tail" so not a bad walk to the Rialto bridge area either. There is a fresh water fountain in St. Zaccaria's sq. just behind the hotel that is very convenient for filling up water bottles too. It's also pretty close to the Al Gardinetto restaurant from Rick's book.
As far as safety is concerned everywhere in Venice feels very safe. I staggered back to the room from Al Gardinetto's to retrieve pour vaporetto passes @ 10:00 pm, got totally lost, and wandered around for about 20 minutes without every feeling worried at all.

Please, people. If a post has gone two days without a reply, don't revive it! The original poster has the information he/she needs. It just confuses things to find "zombie posts" on the board.

End of rant. Thank you for listening.

Doug, I doubt I am alone in thinking that it is nicer to read old posts that still could be very relevant to other readers than reading empty new posts on the same old topics. After all, it is about sharing information regardless of whether Dennell in Redondo Beach can use it.

On that note, I prefer staying in Cannaregio. It is convenient to the train and bus station and very walkable to the rest of Venice. Just think of hauling your luggage across Venice when you could be checked in within minutes of arriving. Then you can have a giggle when watching other tourists lost on the way to their accommodation.