Mr & Mrs Smith

Ideally located near the Guggenheim museum, quiet but yet close to the city centre. The suite in the annex is spacious and beautifully decorated, with anything one can wish for, including a Nespresso machine.

We had a fabulous time in Venice. DD724 is ideally placed, being in the less busy and quieter Accademia area, but within easy reach of the main tourist areas via a 50-cent traghetto trip. The owner greets all guests personally and the staff couldn't be more helpful. Eating out seemed incredibly expensive with the current exchange rate, and very variable. Avoid the restaurant to the left of the Fenice Theatre; the food was pricey and almost inedible. One to recommend: 'Rosa Rossa', Calle della Mandola. Great food, attractive indoor and outdoor seating and a photo of Johnny Depp to boot, who ate there whilst filming 'The Tourist'.

To write anything to further describe La Serenissima would be only to echo the fine words of travel writers who have done it with such eloquance – if you have never been, go – it is truly wonderful . DD724 is pretty good too, in fact it's nigh on perfect unless you like large hotels with full-on service. Being on the Dorsoduro, it is close to everything but just that bit away from the St Mark's crowds. What is even more perfect is that just a short walk away to the waterway that divides it from the Giudecca, is the waterside area known as Zattere. There are some fabulous eateries here, most of them moored to the bank where you watch the hustle and bustle of Venice's water transport, framed by its glorious buildings and often gorgeous sunsets. Before I use up all the adjectives under the sun, jump on a vaporetto and cross to the Giudecca where the restaurants are a touch cheaper. Top tips, if money is no object, there is only one way to arrive in Venice from the airport and that's by watertaxi, it's about £90 one way, if you have enough then book lunch at Locanda Cipriani on Torcello, it's superb. Use the free tickets to get into the Guggenheim, it's your Mr & Mrs Smith freebie and it's fantastic – get an extended vaporetto pass and use it. There's no better way to get oriented, you can hop on and off and when the crowds have become too much. Catch a number 41/42 to the Cemetery Island, calm, peaceful and with a few celebs to commune with.

Restaurant - Al Vecio Forner, San Vio, Dorsoduro - small, intimate osteria 5 mimutes walk from DD724. Limited menu that changesd weekly with only a couple of options per course but fantastic food with fresh, high quailty ingredients. Friendly staff happy to recommend good, affordable wine. Only one dessert on the menu but it was an amazing tiramisu washed down with a smooth grappa recommended by the waiter. Highly recommended.

The definite culinary highlight on my partner's and my visit to Venice was Linea D'Ombra (Dorsoduro 19). Located on a quiet street, we were led to a table on their spectacular waterside terrace overlooking the Venetian lagoon and a series of picturesque facades including the Redentore church.

This being our second day in Venice, and somewhat already jaded by mediocre food at exceptional(ly high) prices, we didn't harbour great expectations, but we were quite pleasantly surprised. Aside from the magical and unashamedly romantic setting, the food was quite exceptional. The seafood bisque came with a mountain of fresh shellfish and fish; very tasty, and our main course (roasted sea bass stuffed with orange, served with spring onion and balsamic reduction) was both fresh and delicious.

The serving sizes were quite decent; both my partner and I couldn't fit in dessert, albeit the chocolate concoctions described animatedly by the waiter sounded sublime; in general the menu is seafood-biased, with some fusion (Italian-Asian) going on. All this doesn't come cheap though, the bill just south of EUR 100, despite not ordering dessert or alcoholic beverages. Although the investment-banker-in-credit-crisis in me heaved a small sigh of relief, given the tourist traps we came across during the trip (perhaps we were unwise/unlucky but most restaurants charged us in a similar vicinity, albeit for a considerably more mediocre experience), Linea D'Ombra is not spectacularly overpriced in relative comparison, albeit should be kept for special occasions.

All in all a great experience; excellent, friendly service (so slick it seemed almost criminal), fabulous food and location. Definitely somewhere to go to for a treat.

Remember to bring wellies if you are in Venice in October if you do not want to be stuck in the hotel during 'aqua alta'.

Lineadombra - (Ponte dell'Umitra, Dorsorduro, 19) is an excellent restaurant. The location is perfect – right on the Grand Canal, with a clear view of the sun setting behind the port – the service is impeccable and the food is delicious (particularly the desserts). The wine list is long and intriguing – in short, we had an absolutely fantastic meal and would wholeheartedly recommend it. The following evening we ate at Avogaria (+39 041 296 0491;  Dorsoduro 1629). The food was wonderful. This is a great restaurant for vegetarians, with a much wider choice of foods than is typical in Venice.