I am getting very confused. I am going on a Med cruise next year and want to overnight in Venice. Are all the areas in Venice safe, or should I stay in San Marcos area? Any recommendations on inexpensive, nice hotels?
Thanks
Lynn

We stayed at the Hotel Cavalletto e Doge Orseolo which is, at most, 2 minutes from St. Marks plaza (over a foot-bridge by, and overlooking, the gondola basin at the rear of the plaza). Its a 13th century structure with modern amenities. Price was reasonable (for Venice), location fantastic, and since it is part of Best Western, you can easily reserve it on-line.

Perhaps you know this, but for the benefit of others, Best Western in Europe is a means by which independent and in many cases really charming hotels can connect with a world-wide resevration system. Absolutely not to be confused with cheap hotels along the Interstate!

Hi Lynn,

Venice for the most part is very safe. Eventhough we stayed this summer in the San Marco area ( Hotel Metropole), there are other great areas a bit farther away from the hustle and bustle.

One hotel which is reasonable in price and very popular is Pensione La Calcina www.lacalcina.com It is located in the Dorsoduro area, facing the Guidecca Canal. I went by it several times and it looks lovely.
I couldn't get reservations there, it's so popular that it gets filled many months in advance.

We liked very much the Hotel Metropole. We went in August, which they consider the "low season" ( although Venice was mobbed by tourists!), so we got a decent rate. Their website is www.hotelmetropole.com

Good luck! Venice is very special!

We recommend Hotel Metropole also. We stayed in March and got a great rate for a large room with a huge outside terrace. Great location.

Dena

Lynn:

Three years ago we were in Venice during Carnivale and we stayed at the Pensione Accademia Villa Maravege. I believe it was a Russian Embassy many years ago and we thought it was charming.

The website is www.pensioneaccademia.it

In spite of the throngs of people and partiers, we walked everywhere and never felt unsafe.

Susan

Lynn, we leave tomorrow and fly into Venice for a Navigator pre-cruise stay. We've booked a hotel near Piazzale Roma, not only for the very reasonable rates, but because it's so close to the cruise terminal and we will only have to drag our luggage a few steps to board.
I'll try to remember to get back on here at the end of the week and let you know how it works.
Tomorrow!!! AHHHHHH!
Yvonne

We stayed at Pensione La Calcina a few years ago and loved it. You meed to reserve early - it is very popular. The canal view rooms are lovely. It is in walking distance to everything but very quiet at night. There is a vaporetto stop right in front of the hotel.

Thank you all so much. I am trying to get through the lists and checking availability. They all sound great.
Yvonne, interesting idea to book close to cruise terminal. Never thought of it.
Thanks all.
Lynn

Lynn, OK we left Venice 2 days ago. "Close the the cruise terminal" would be nice except that they closed a walking bridge over the rail lines that makes the distance to the port manageable, and we had to drag our luggage on a detour up to the highway from the mainland and come through the motorvehicle only port entrance. All this to say that although we LOVED, LOVED our hotel in Piazzale Roma (Ca Doge) and the neighborhoods surrounding it, it was not effective for boarding our ship.
I'd use one of the hotel recommendations in this thread above and catch a vaporetto to the Marittima Terminal to check in for your cruise when the time comes.
Off to Katakolon today!
take care,
Yvonne

If you give a price range per night can better help you.

Yvonne, that you so much for the info. Since my cruise is not for another 11 months, do you think the walking bridge would be open and therefore easy access to the shiP?
Claudia, my little group was looking at about 200 Euros per night.
Lynn

Lynn,
Here is a link to lots of info about the Venice terminal. Does not sound like a promising footbridge. I actually thought I had heard after 9/11 that just anyone was not allowed to walk into the port area. Good luck, Debbie
http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/venice-cruise-terminal-marittima.htm

Debbie, that is a great site. Thank you.
/since this is the beginning, we are splitting up. I finally went with Scott's Albergo Caveletto, etc. Thank you Scott.
And thanks to everyone for making this so much easier.
Lynn