We will be coming into Venice after a week long Mediteranean cruise. (special anniversary occasion) We have decided to over night in Venice to get our feet "back on the ground" and then take off the next day. This will be our first trip to Venice.<BR>We are looking for ultra luxurious hotel accomodations. Hotel Cipriani and Hotel Danieli have been recommened. We only have the one night, so we thought, hey, why not do it up grand.<BR>Any suggestions?

I visited the Cipriani while friends were staying there in May. It is really beautiful, mostly the settings, pool, gardens, public rooms. The bedrooms aren't that great, smallish for the price, and although some appliances are quite modern ( a tv screen on the room and bathroom mirrors), other appliances were surprisingly out dated. However, it's still the most relaxing settings, although not in Venice proper, but in the Giudecca island, at a five minutes water shuttle ride from Venice.<BR><BR>The Danieli's lobby is magnificent, but the rooms are not up to the lobby standards. I've heard that the Gritty has better rooms. Another 5 stars you may want to check is the Palazzo at the Bauer. The suites and De Luxe rooms shown on its web site look great.<BR><BR>The Europa&Regina is not a 5, but a 4 stars property. Nonetheless, some of its De Luxe rooms overlooking the Grand Canal are wonderful, as are the public lounges. It's now a Westin hotel.<BR><BR>Regards,<BR><BR>s

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Hi Don,<BR>There is a website called 'Leading Hotel of the World' www.lhw.com, which only lists the very best hotels. In this site there are three hotels listed for Venice.<BR><BR>1. Bauer 'il Palazzo' & Bauer Hotel<BR>2. Hotel Cipriani & Palazzo Vendramin<BR>3. Luna Hotel Baglioni<BR><BR>You can see lots of pictures of these hotels on this site. Since all three are so grand, I'm sure they also have their own websites.<BR>Hope this helps.<BR><BR>Have a great time in Venice...<BR><BR>Annie

Dear Don,<BR><BR>We stayed at the Cipriani in early July and it was our favorite hotel in Italy. We had a lovely room(they did upgrade us to a 2 bedroom suite) and the staff was very friendy and helpful. We enjoyed sitting out by the water for breakfast and dinner was very good at the restaurant. Anyway,this was our favorite hotel and we didn't want to leave.

To make a slight correction just for accuracy, not for criticism: "Leading Hotels of the World" is a marketing chain, not a list of all the world's best hotels. There are many luxury hotels just as good, that are not on that list.<BR><BR>For my money, I choose to stay at the Metropole for several reasons:<BR>(1) It has more of an "old world" atmosphere, in my opinion, yet is still a luxury hotel.<BR>(2) The rooms overlooking the water are very nice, well furnished, and with good bathrooms.<BR>(3) There is a historic sense about the place because Vivaldi lived there for a period of time and wrote some of his compositions there.<BR>(4) It is convenient to San Marco, yet far enough away to be out of the major crowds. You walk along the Grand Canal over 3 side canals to get there. Of course, you can also arrive at the hotel door by water taxi.<BR>(5) It serves a buffet all-you-can-eat luncheon that is far and away the best meal, with the most selections, that you will find anywhere in Venice. I would never miss the buffet luncheon at least once while in Venice, even if I stayed somewhere else.<BR>(6) Its prices are no more, and sometimes a bit less than the other luxury hotels.<BR>(7) The staff is very helpful. For your case, you can have them order a taxi the night before, and hop the water taxi to the airport right at a side door on a canal by the hotel. The hotel lobby literally opens onto the canal and a small private dock.<BR>(8) It's smaller than the other luxury hotels, which gives you more of an intimate feeling and (I think) a bit more personal service.<BR><BR>If you go to the Metropole, I know you will enjoy it. What I don't know is whether you can get a waterfront room because I don't know when you are going. But you ought to give it a try. Enjoy your trip.

We were very happy at the Luna Baglioni - see them at this URL<BR>http://www.rome-italy-hotels.net/venice-hotels/luna-baglioni/hotel.htm<BR><BR>If you only have one night - then I'd be right on the doorstep of San Marco, like the Luna is, to get fully into the experience - stay up late at the cafes, etc!

I suggest the Westin Europa & Regina. It is well located right next to San Marco and you can even take a water taxi directly to their rear entrance to check in. So with only one night you would save some time. I would rate it as a 4 and 1/2 star property but as a member of the Starwood group it is possible to get a good price. We got 50% off the rack rate and a free upgrade to a canal view room since we were Starwood Preferred members (which anyone can become by filling out a form).

Having only visited the hotels in question, I'd go with Wayne's or Bebe's suggestions, the Metropole or the slightly fancier E & R. Both have locations that can't be beat. The E & R is very luxurious and less than 5 minutes from the Piazza, but to me it is a less-hectic location.<BR><BR>The Gritti Palace is also gorgeous, I think that's a 5-star, and it's less than 10 minutes farther away.<BR><BR>Have a wonderful trip

Gritti Palace! It is without peer, as opposed to pier, which it has, well, no, it's a dock...just go there.

As I've stated on this site before, when in Venice only one stands above the rest, the Danielli if you want the best.