Venice and Rome Hotels

I have stayed in two (both from Rick's books) and been very satisfied. Pensione Guerrato is next to the Rialto market and we got a room overlooking the market and out to the canal. I also like Al Ponte Mocinego which was a little fancier and further from the action. This can be an advantage in Venice as it was quieter.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187791-d456488-Reviews-Hotel_Forte-Rome_Lazio.html We stayed at Hotel Forte in Rome a few years ago and loved it!

We stayed at the Pensione Guerrato a few years ago and it was fine. As anyone who has visited Venice can testify having a hotel so close to the Rialto Bridge is a blessing navigation-wise. No matter where you are in Venice there are signs pointing to the bridge and once you find the bridge, it is easy to find the hotel. I'm sure this saved us hours of time. As an added bonus the Rialto Bridge is also a great tourist attraction in its own right. We spend a happy couple hours watching the canal activity from the bridge. It was amazing to watch how goods move in and out of Venice via the canal.

My family LOVED Al Ponte Mocinego. There were just three of us and we were supposed to be in a first floor room but luckily someone cancelled and we upgraded ourselves to a beautiful second floor room (#11 maybe - at top of stairs).

Hotel Smeraldo in Rome is just off Campo de Fiore, and was very affordable and a great stay.
I can't remember the last place that I stayed in Venice, but if I do, I'll give you the name so that you can steer clear of it.