A 10-room boutique in one of Venice’s most elegant neighborhoods, Corte Di Gabriela is a chic residence that blends modern polish with historical touches. Located in San Marco an easy walk from the city’s top attractions, this quiet hotel has a pretty internal courtyard and lovely breakfast room with big buffet. No two stylish rooms are the same; some have frescoes on the ceiling while others have canal views -- all have big, modern bathrooms, iPads, and free Wi-Fi. All in all, it's one of the best upscale choices in the neighborhood, but it's worth comparing rates with the Hotel Saturnia.

Locanda Orseolo is a 12-room guesthouse located in the heart of Venice, a short walk from Piazza San Marco. Traditional, elegant rooms have theatrical wall murals, glass chandeliers, and small flat-screen TVs. This restored Venetian home has charming, original elements such as exposed beam ceilings. A quality free breakfast is served in a room overlooking a small canal, but there is no elevator and canal-facing rooms can experience some early morning noise. Rates are among the most competitive in the area for what you get.

Built in the late 15th century as the home to one of Venice's noble families, The Gritti Palace has operated as a hotel since the late 1800s. With opulent style and an impressive roster of influential guests, this luxury property has been meticulously restored to feature original floors, fixtures, archival fabrics, and rare antiques. Its 82 rooms reflect hundreds of years of Venetian history, style, and culture, while Acqua di Parma toiletries, free Wi-Fi, stocked minibars, and flat-screen TVs keep rooms modern. This is a spare-no-expense hotel with a spa, gourmet food, cooking school, and fitness and business centers. Guests looking for similar features and history could also consider the Ca'Sagredo Hotel, where stays come with free breakfast.

The upper-middle-range Residence Corte Grimani has 15 apartment-style rooms with warm lighting and charming traditional style (picture tile floors, wood-beam ceilings, bare white walls, and wispy curtains). The in-room washing machines and kitchenettes with mini-fridges, microwaves, and stoves are rare features in Venice hotels, helping this option stand out from the crowd. The small boutique has a prime location within a five-minute walk of San Marco Square. Wi-Fi and local calls are free. It's also worth considering IQs Charming House, which also has rooms with kitchenettes, but it's a bit farther from St. Mark's Square. 

The eight-room Ca' dei Dogi is a lovely mid-range Venetian hideaway consisting of six individually decorated rooms and two apartments: Sun and Moon. Ca’ dei Dogi, built in a former 15th-century palace, is ideally located a few minutes’ walk from the Piazza San Marco and the Bridge of Sighs, but tucked away in a quiet corner among Venice’s picturesque winding alleys. Rooms and apartments are each unique, but all are clean and charming, with beautiful, if small, marble bathrooms and nice touches such as exposed wood beam ceilings and furnished balconies. Wi-Fi is free throughout. Prices are competitive given the excellent location -- the nearby Best Western Hotel Ala is often more, and guests tend to prefer it here. All in all, this is one of Venice's best values. 

Hotel a La Commedia is an elegant 35-room hotel located on a side street lined with shops in San Marco, a lively, tourist-friendly area of Venice. The hotel's decor and furnishing are similar to other area properties, where patterned area rugs, heavy drapery and Italian paintings make up most of the interiors. There’s an amazing rooftop terrace with a bar where guests can marvel at stunning city views. The nearby Hotel Colombina is a similar option; it's less expensive and doesn't have a rooftop bar, but is located on a canal with a private water landing.

The nine-room, mid-range Novecento Boutique Hotel is a family-owned inn in a quiet but central location that's convenient for both tourists and business travelers. Romantic and packed with character, the Novecento is exquisitely stylish, with quirky decor combining Mediterranean and Asian influences to create a cozy, visually inspiring space. Guest rooms are individually decorated with antiques, gorgeous textiles, and fun lighting fixtures, and have lovely modern bathrooms that, though on the small side, feel luxurious. Hotel Campiello is a comparable property in this price range though its decor isn't quite as special. 

The mid-range, 26-room Palazzo Sant'Angelo sul Canal Grande feels like a classical Venetian hotel, from its 19th-century palazzo to the opulent, antique-inspired decor. The location is excellent, right on the Grand Canal and a short walk to most of the city's major tourist spots. There's a bar and cafe with canal views; breakfast is included, and although there's no full restaurant, the surrounding area is filled with eateries. Rooms are boldly decorated and have jetted tubs; some overlook the Grand Canal and some have small private balconies. Expect to pay for Wi-Fi. 

Hotel Saturnia & International is a sprawling 87-room, four-pearl property. It has a stunning position on a street of designer boutiques that connects directly with St. Mark’s Square and the Accademia area. The hotel embraces its history with rooms that have original 14th- and 15th-century features alongside Art Deco style. High-end amenities include 26-inch LCD TVs, Geneva Guild toiletries, and sunken bathtubs. La Caravella restaurant receives excellent reviews from previous guests, as does the rooftop terrace and its incredible cityscape views. As of our early 2018 visit the meeting room was being refurbished, and a spa is in the works. Unfortunately, there’s no fitness center, but guests can use a local gym for free. For a similar stay, it's also worth considering the Royal San Marco Hotel.

A 40-room family-run boutique near Piazza San Marco, Hotel Flora is a quiet escape in central Venice. A quality breakfast is served in the beautiful interior garden during the warm months, and guests can also bring drinks from the bar into the garden during the evening. Rooms are quaint and clean with free Wi-Fi, but some rooms are on the dark side (as is often typical in Venice). Upgrading to the deluxe suite gets significantly more space and polish.

Hotel Becher is a mid-range, 17-room, and largely typical canal-front property that veers little from the norm for Venice hotels. The location is outstanding for getting around the main attractions, and there are plenty of cafes within walking distance, though access via public transport is a little awkward. Rooms are classical 18th century Venetian and, while some are on the small size, many overlook the canal. Breakfast is included and offers a small selection of pastries and cold items. There's also a small but charming front patio area overlooking the San Luca canal. Rates are good for the location, but not great for the caliber of hotel, so it's worth comparing prices with the nearby Hotel Saturnia & International or AD Place Venice.

The 14th-century Hotel Dona Palace delivers an upscale, Old-World Venetian vacation beside the Bridge of Sighs, with a private canal landing for water taxis. The 27 spacious rooms feature traditional designs with canal views in many, and suites offer antique-inspired furnishings and whirlpool tubs. However, the occasional worn interiors are a turnoff to some guests. Restaurants and shops in Saint Mark's Square are five minutes away on foot. The hotel has a lovely dining room and terrace with a free breakfast, a small wine bar, and a courtyard overlooking the canal. Travelers may want to compare rates and features at the Ca’ dei Conti, which offers rooms with a little more pizzazz.

The 34-room Bel Sito e Berlino is a mid-range option in a prized central Venice location close to St. Mark's Square. The surrounding area is elegant and beautiful, and guests can easily move around the city with this hotel as a base. Rooms are on the small side, and the traditional Venetian style won't please everyone, though features include modern flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. Some have mini-fridges, and it's worth asking for rooms with views of Santa Maria del Giglio. A full breakfast buffet is served daily and there's also a cozy bar. A private jetty sits on the Grand Canal, a short walk away. Travelers looking for a similar alternative nearby could check out Hotel Ala, which has a rooftop terrace and a popular bar. 

The three-and-a-half-pearl Hotel Firenze is a charming boutique property in the heart of San Marco, moments from Saint Mark’s Square. It has fantastic views from the fifth-floor terrace and is set on a luxury shopping street. The 25 rooms have an Art Nouveau style and modern amenities like built-in radios, telephones, flat-screen TVs, luxury toiletries, minibars, and safes. Some of the better rooms have private terraces and Grand Canal views. There’s also a charming breakfast area serving a full continental buffet. Rates are reasonable for this part of the city, and guests appreciate the thoughtful extras like the welcome tray and chocolates. For a more low-key stay and cheaper rates, consider Ca' Pisani Hotel.

The Hotel Violino d'Oro is a pretty typical mid-range Venice hotel complete with the classical Venetian interiors and canal-side setting. However, its location is superb -- set in the touristic center of the city, a five-minute walk from St. Mark's Square. The steady stream of gondolas outside its door (and some rooms' windows) is picturesque but might get a bit much at times. Also Annex rooms, although generally cheaper, might disappoint. Otherwise, guest rooms are classically decorated with tasseled drapes and floral wallpaper, and have flat-screen TVs and minibars. The free breakfast buffet includes pastries and other cold items. Overall, rates are certainly competitive, and the setting is perfect for that unashamed tourist experience.