Where to stay in Venice

Italy

Check out a hotel called Saturnia (or Saturno). Its a cool place with a good location just off St Mark's square. Venice is a great place to just walk and walk and walk. If you're going with kids who get tired of walking after a couple hours I highly recommend a book you can buy locally that turns it into a treasure hunt game. The book gives you clues of items to find around the city. You send a text message when you find it and it starts you off with the next set of clues based on page references to the book. Kids are absorbed in the game aspect. You learn the backstory to a lot of places. And needless to say you cover the city. Doge palace is an absolute must to see. There's also some decent shows to see as its a pretty theatrical place. If you're going in the summer be prepared for crowds and hot sweaty conditions. That said its possibly my favorite destination in Europe. Enjoy.

Do you want to stay right in old Venice (on the island) or over in the new city part? 

 Last summer we stayed at the San Marco Palace Suites.  It was a good hotel in a great location for walking around literally 30 seconds off San Marco square.  Of course remembering that well everything is old......you know what I mean.  The hotel was a bit worn by our inflated Canadian standards but clean and functioning.  If you have a whole load of gear (bikes?) then you also have to remember that you will have to haul everything across the canals/cobblestone. 

There is a big bridge and train that goes over to the more "modern" side of Venice that is probably less expensive and more accesible.  We didn't get over there as we were only in Venice for 3 days also so just explored on foot mostly.  Hope this helps. 

Thanks for the info.  This is our first trip to Venice so we are OPEN to all suggestions!  We won't have to worry with the bikes until our last day there, as we meet the tour company to pick them up. 

I loved staying on the Lido!  We had a great little B&B (though we only made it to breakfast one morning) just off of the main street where you will find various restaurants, stores, pubs and information areas.  Do NOT think about running around the island until you realize just how big the thing is... I was saying a LOT of bad words by the time we got back to the hotel.  Walking around the various areas was fantastic and I loved the little streets.  Oh, and beware of going to get a coffee and listen to the entertainment in St. Mark's Square... unless you don't mind paying €30 for 2 small cups of coffee.  

I'm glad to hear your comments about staying on the Lido.  I've read several places online tht really encourage 1st timers to stay in Venice to get the full experience.  I'd been thinking it would be nice to have a place to get away from the throngs of tourists.  Thanks to your advice, I'm leaning towards booking a room on the Lido.

With my grand total of 3 days experience in Venice  i would tend to agree with the staying on a quieter island like Lido especially if you aren't in to the crowds. Maybe depending on the time of year?  i assume it will be summer.  We were there in early June I thought BEFORE the big tourist rush.  Well I must have been wrong or I can't imagine what San Marco area is like when it is full on?  (July/August?) it was really really busy.  And yes expensive.  We did experience the "fee for music".   

Saying all that though what a magical place, well it was for me.  It was exactly as it looks like on TV.  I know that sounds silly but hopefully you know what i mean.  Enjoy!

We stayed at the Hotel Rialto which is right by the end of the Railto Bridge.  It was a spectacular place to stay.

After about 6 PM the island is not nearly as crowded as the tourists have left for the day.

Definitely take time to go to Murano.