anne1975

Hi, everyone! I've booked a luxury double room with inner view at the Danieli (Excelsior wing), but I keep seeing recommendations for rooms in the old palazzo. I assumed that the Excelsior would be great given its 2008 renovation, but I am now having second thoughts. I'd appreciate room tips from those who have stayed at the Danieli before (especially, what you thought of the Excelsior wing if you've stayed there before). Thanks a lot!

nytraveler

Sorry - have only stayed in the old palazzo. We prefer rooms looking out onto the Bacino.

dreamon

The first time I went to Venice with my husband we were backpacking around on a budget and he promised me that one day, when we were wealthy, he'd take me to stay at the Danieli. I'm still waiting 30 years later!

rineurope

The Danieli is an incredible hotel. We've been fortunate to stay there a few times. I've always stayed in the "old palazzo" section. Looking at the Danieli Flickr photos, it appears the Excelsior wing has been beautifully restored: http://www.flickr.com/photos/luxury-...n/photostream/

Not sure if you're traveling on points, but if not, I hope you booked through a a Virtuoso agent. If you did, you would get these Virtuoso Exclusive Benefits, FREE:

- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Buffet breakfast daily for up to two in-room guests
- One US$75 Food & Beverage credit per room, per stay applicable towards dinner only (served at Terrazza Danieli)

You'll have a wonderful time. We've always enjoyed our stays at the Hotel Danieli and you can't beat the location.

anne1975

I don't even know what a Virtuoso agent is! We are SPG members, so we booked through them. The recent renovation of the Excelsior is what appealed to me in the first place. I guess even if we are staying in that wing, we will wander around the other two palazzos and see the lovely old features. Thank you all for taking the time to respond.

rineurope

SPG is great... I've been a member for years and used points for one our stays at the Danieli. For more info on Virtuoso, see their website: http://www.virtuoso.com/

If you're headed to upscale properties, often it may be advantageous to use an advisor as they can get preferred rates, amenities, and possible upgrades - at no cost to you!

Virtuoso is one of many networks. There are also other groups that agencies may belong to like Four Season Preferred Partners (FSPP), STARS Ritz-Carlton Agencies, or Orient-Express Bellini Club members... and many, many more...

Of course, if you have the points, they can save you a lot of money!

pattytravel

The hotel looks gorgeous! How much did you get it for? We are going in April and are looking for a hotel in Venice

anne1975

Hi, everyone! Thanks for your tips rineurope. Pattytravel, we are going for 4 nights on the Taste of Luxury package (4th night free, breakfast included, E440 a night). Not cheap, but the hotel seems beautiful!

anne1975

By the way, rineurope,I saw FSPP is invitation-only. How do you go about getting invited? We stay at Four Seasons whenever there is one at the destination we are visiting, so it would be worthwhile enrolling with them. Thanks!

nytraveler

Not sure of your job status - but often large corporate travel services have access to these offers. We are required to do corporate travel through such a compnay and they encourge us to use them for personal travel since the icnreased usage gets us all better volume discounts.

The benefits - special programs and deals like these.

The detriment - you must know what you want, since the "agents" are clerks who have may well have never left the US and they can't provide advice - just info on deals.

rineurope

Anne1975, for full disclosure, I am a travel advisor and thus I have access to all the sites mentioned. My status is one I've never shared on Fodor's as I do NOT solicit on Fodor's - I only offer advice - and I learn a lot about travel interests and sights on Fodor's.

You're correct that FSPP is "invitation-only" for agencies. Yet clients of these approved agencies do get the benefits offered by these exclusive properties. To be affiliated and have privileges with FSPP, Ritz-Carlton STARS, Rocco Forte, Orient Express, etc. you have to maintain a level of knowledge, so you're not a "booking agent" or clerk, but a travel advisor.

I'll admit I've not been to ALL the places folks I work with are headed - who could? But I do have resources of 100+ advisors who I can call and many ON-SITE local vendors for more support.

Certainly there are advantages to either "do it on your own" or book through an agent. I've done both for years. But if you're going to stay at a high-end property that has extended amenities at NO CHARGE to you... why not use an advisor who has access to those benefits? There's more to the debate of "advisor or NO advisor" - and that's a personal choice.

I recently had a client who was already self-booked at a FS hotel but was unhappy with her rate/room. She contacted me and I got her better rooms for 75-100 euro less per night perr room and ALL the FSPP amenities, like free American breakfast, $100 Spa credit, welcome gift, etc. She was there for multiple nights so she saved money and just had an incredible stay.

An advisor's role is NOT foremost to save you money or make money for themselves. A good advisor gets to KNOW you and create the most valued, most memorable, vacation experience... and the advisor's success is based on exceeding the clients' expectations. We Americans get so little vacation time, it's imperative we maximize our experiences.

The Fodor's site is all about educating travelers... so this is not a statement to advocate using travel advisors nor a solicitation by me... but hopefully this information gives you more travel options, especially at properties that offer incredible amenities, that perhaps only a travel advisor can get you.

Saying all that --- you got a GREAT rate at the Danieli --- Enjoy!

Delaine

My boyfriend and I stayed in the old Palazzo in the Danieli last year. Our room opened onto the big open multi-story enclosed "courtyard" that you see when you enter the hotel. Our windows looked onto a side canal, and if you looked right you could see San Giorgio Maggiore. While I like the public rooms of the hotel and the restaurant, Terrazza Danieli (we had the large breakfast buffet each morning and had dinner on the terrace one evening) our room could have definitely used a pick-me-up. I've stayed at lots of Starwood and Luxury Collection hotels, including ones in Italy, and our room did not compare well. I had wanted to be in the historical part as well, but was rather disappointed. My room at the Westin Europa & Regina on a previous trip was nicer.

anne1975

Hi, everyone! Back from Venice (had a lovely time), so I wanted to share with you my impressions of the hotel.
-The room in the Excelsior wing was very nice, but really small.
-The hotel was overall ok, but it does not compare with the Luxury Collection (Park Tower) in Buenos Aires. Needless to say, the Danieli is well below the standards at a Four Seasons.
-The concierges were (with the exception of one of them) pretty hopeless. They look like they are too busy to assist you and your request is a pain, or provide you with info that is not very precise.
-Breakfast was great, with good food and a lovely view.
To sum up, we'll go elsewhere the next time.

nytraveler

I think that, as with many older hotels, the rooms in the Danieli may be quite uneven. I know many of the regular rooms are very small - and am not familiar with the Excelsior wing.

We always go for a suite - looking out over the bacino. Perhaps those rooms are more well-appointed. We have always found the concierges very helpful - but everyone has different needs.

For an overall best chain we prefer the Mandarin Orientals to the Four Seasons, but the latter are usually fine too.