Ca' Vendramin Di Santa Fosca - Venice, Italy 

we have just returned from 3 nights at the hotel and would have no hesitation recommending the hotel. From the second we arrived we found the staff friendly, helpful and attentive. We had only booked an economy room (as saving our cash for spending money with the Euro rate being what it is at the moment!). We were shown to the room but offered an upgrade to the classic double for EUR 25 a night extra. So we had a look at both and decided to upgrade. This was not a sales pitch and there was no feeling of pressure, I think it was just giving us a choice... the economy room was decorated absolutely beautifully and had all the amenities that came with the bigger room (all the toiletries, slippers etc.) it was simply a case of there not being much floor space. As my husband is 6ft 3, he thought it was worth paying the bit extra for the extra leg room. There was a bath in neither room, we like to shower anyway but I know some people like the choice. The shower was powerful and hot. It was also well equipped if travelling with disabilities. Location: If you are going for a very brief visit and want to focus on the main sites around San Marco then you may want to stay in the San Marco sestiere. In three days that we were there we had plenty of time to explore all the sestieres and some of the islands and we found the hotel to be perfectly located for this. You are central enough to be able to visit anywhere on 'mainland' venice on foot but are also near vaporetto stops for getting around venice and also the islands. It is actually quicker to walk than get the vaporetto most of the time but you might want a sit down every now and then! We visited Murano, Burano and Lido islands and would recommend a trip to all of them. They are all different and all show a different side to Venice. We also went to S. Michelle which is the island the Venetians use as their cemetery - not for everyone but we wanted to see Igor Stravinsky's burial place! Food and drink: There are several places to eat and drink near the hotel. The main thoroughfare (Strada Nuova) has loads of places whether you turn left or right. We ate on the Strada Nuova facing the hotel (didn't write down the name - sorry! but next to the pharmacy) and had wonderful pasta there. We also had a lovely time in the Pleasure Cafe. It is absolutely tiny, only 5 tables so is intimate and cosy. When leaving the hotel and on the Strada Nova, turn right and it is under the eaves of the first bridge you come to (I may not have used the correct technical term for being built in the arch of the bridge). We also had a couple of night caps in the bar near the hotel called Il Santo Bevitore. We wanted to watch some football as European cup was on and this bar has sky sports but is also quite authentic and has outside space if watching sport isn't your choice. It was frequented equally by both locals and tourists which is always a good sign. A pint of lager was EUR 5 here which was as cheap as we found anywhere. The average was about EUR 7.50 but wine was much more reasonable. Venice isn't cheap but then again, I don't think any European city is these days. Be prepapred for that and just go with the flow.