Here are 3 of The Traveling Professor's Venice hotel picks:

Hotel al Piave:  This is a family-run hotel close to all the action near St. Mark's Square but just far enough away to give the peace and quiet needed for a good night's sleep.   There are less than 30 rooms and that does not take away from the elegance or comfort of this classic Venice hotel.   We have stayed here on The Traveling Professor's small group tours to Venice.  Expect larger than normal rooms, classic marble floors, winding staircases, heavy drapery and full-size bathrooms.   Ilaria as well as the rest of her family takes good care of travelers who come to this gracious Venetian hotel.   There are also plenty of good restaurants in the vicinity.

Hotel Flora:  On the other side of St. Mark's Square is the family-owned and run Hotel Flora.  It too is a classic Venetian hotel with a limited number of rooms.   Although there is a splendid courtyard with a soothing fountain, I avoid getting a room adjoining it because the echo of chatter of travelers sharing their day's experience might interrupt your dreams of a day in Venice.  The breakfast room, with it's low ceiling, classic paintings, heavy drapery whisks you back to old Venice of years ago.  We also have use the Flora Hotel on our small group tours to Italy and Venice.

Hotel American Dinesen:  This is now the hotel of The Traveling Professor's small group tours to Venice.  I like the canal-side location allowing easy on/off access to a water taxi. Located in the Dorsudoro section of Venice, it is away from the crowds of St. Mark's Square but close enough to all the major attractions.   It is tastefully decorated despite the rooms being slightly on the small side.