gritti palace or cipriani
 

has anyone stayed at either of these hotels. which one would you recommend. i can't decide between the two. i know you have to take a short boat ride to the cipriani but that's ok.<BR>thanks for your input

The Gritti Palace is amazing if you have 500-600 to spend per night.

Of course, Vanessa, stay at Cipriani. They have the only swimming pool in Venice. Plus, you have your own private boat to take you to and from Riva Schiavoni. And everyone in Piazza San Marco looks at you with pea-green envy in their eye when they see you getting out of the boat! I highly recommend it. It is about $750 a night for the priveledge, however.

Vanessa--<BR>Either hotel is nice, but it is a bit inconvenient staying at the Cipriani. I would recommend staying at my favorite hotel, right on the Grand Canal, where Vivaldi used to stay and compose some of his music--The Metropole. You can take a water taxi right to the lobby door on a side canal, and the hotel itself is really nice with a good staff and a daily buffet lunch that's to die for (not part of the room cost). Rooms are around $300 or a little more for a double, so it isn't cheap either. For a low cost hotel on the water, I love La Calcina, on the Giudecca Canal. You can get by on about $150 or thereabouts. But if cost is no object, the Gritti Palace or the Metropole are great choices.

thank you all for your input. this is such a hard decision. my husband is leaning toward the cipriani because he loves boats.does anyone have anything bad to say about either of these two hotels. if i pick he wrong one i'm in trouble. i don't mind paying the high price as long as it's wonderful. thanks for your comments.

Vanessa,<BR><BR>Make your choice simpler:. If you're staying in Venice from late May to early October, no doubts that the Cipriani would be a better choice, since the weather will allow you to enjoy all its facilities. Out of the mentioned time frame, I would stay in Venice proper, at the Gritti.<BR><BR>Regards,<BR><BR>S