Thanks all…. we’ve booked the JW Marriott for 3 nights before our class (we will be staying in a former monastery). We’re thinking that we need some cushy before the monastery.
These last three had a couple of rooms that were possibilities, so I appreciate the recommendations.
Go for a walk around the city through the neighborhoods. If you dont get lost you are better than me. Ended up going by the same shop 3 times and got on a boat. But it was interesting and fun. Very few tourists around. Boats picking up the trash Delivering groceries to real local people.
For getting around I found the DeQua app. much more consistent for navigating. For vaporetto schedules the CheBateo? app. was super helpful.
Have a wonderful trip!
It is soo easy to get lost in Venice. Though as Rick Steves points out, it’s small enough (and an island), so you really are never that far from you hotel… enjoy the adventure. Sounds like you did 
“Didn’t we see that church before?”
“Yeah, but from a different angle.”
“Oh. Then maybe we’re not lost, after all.”
“The sun is on the left, so we’re going north. Sooner or later we’ll come to the big bridge and arched steps near our hotel. Just keep your eyes peeled for the building with the light blue-green dome.”
“Lead the way, Magellan…”
We made it back to our ship but we were on the wrong side of the water. It was getting close to departure time so we got very serious. We finally found some industrial looking building and were able to cross over. As the leader of the group (2) I was getting a bit concerned. What a cool city.
The guy at the front desk in our hotel told us to use an app called map.me for getting around in Venice.