I have a close friend traveling to Venice. He wants to stay at the Cipriani. However, he's not sure that it's worth of the (very high) rate.<BR><BR>Could anyone comment on the rooms, on how large they are, or if they have been recently refurbished? We both fear the the rooms might be a little shabby, so , please, help me helping my friend with your valuable information. I 'd appreciate!<BR><BR>Thanks.<BR><BR>Regards,<BR><BR> Surlok

never been there as I am Venetian but you could have a look on the web site www.hotelcipriani.it the hotel is really nice with a superb view of Venice or the lagoon ! the service should be axcellent ( i very well heard about it ) ... the hotel is connected with the rest of Venice by a complimentary boat ( this is the only probelm I think )... anytime you want to go out you have to the take the boat ! For the rest is nice : all big holliwood actors ( especially during the Venetian film festival ) use to go there ... there must be a reason...<BR>bye

Thank you, Greta.<BR><BR>We have seen the web site, and the pictures, and know that the Cipriani hosts the Hollywood celebrities. However, even great hotels as this one get old, and are not always well maintained, hence the rooms might be shabby or run down.<BR>What I want to know is about the rooms, and how well, or badly maintained they are.<BR><BR>Nevertheless, thanks again.<BR><BR>Regards,<BR><BR>Surlok

I have stayed at the Cipriani as late as 5 months ago. I was totally disappointed in it. It was not elegant. It was not grand. It was ordinary and NOT worth the money. I have stayed at grand hotels around the world, and Cipriani simply did not measure up.

Well, Johnny, right to the target!<BR><BR>This was precisely the information I was trying to obtain.<BR><BR>Thank you very much. I really appreciate!<BR><BR>Regards,<BR><BR>Surlok<BR><BR>

I have a hard time accepting that the Cipriani isn't fabulous. It's one of only a handful of properties in the top category of the Relais and Chateau association, up there with the Crillon in Paris. Properties in the lowest level of their ratings are special. By all that's holy I just can't imagine R&C giving a top rating to anything that wasn't almost perfect.

Well, Julie, it's really amazing. However, one never knows. Maybe the R & C criterion has ben less strict lately, maybe someone while inspecting the property, overlooked some details, who can tell for sure?<BR><BR>However, Johnny's experience shouldn't be ignored, or his post disregarded. It's possible that he was very strict is his judgment, but since he posted his e-mail address, I tend to rely on his opinion and personal experience, for which I'm grateful.<BR><BR>Regards,<BR><BR>Surlok

In my recent research of Venice hotels, I read somewhere that some of the rooms at the Cipriani are very small. I tend to stay in 5* hotels, but the Cipriani was just too high. I think the Gritti Palace sounds like the way to go if you want to spend big bucks. My other choices were the Europa and Regina and the Luna Baglioni. I chose the Luna because I got the best deal there, but it isn't on the Grand Canal. Don't have him stay at the Byer. By all accounts, the staff is extremely rude.

Any up dates? Anyone else has been at the Cipriani lately? <BR><BR>Thanks, anyway.<BR><BR>Regards,<BR><BR>Surlok

If your friend is going to bow out of the Cipriani for other alternatives, I'd recommend against the Bauer. Paolo the concierge is a dream but the hallways are depressing (kind of like a state hospital--kept expecting someone to step out of "the quiet room") and for $600 per night we did not have a full canal view. I prefer the Europa and Regina. It's elegant, has a wonderful floating bar and canalside restaurant. Be sure to get rooms in the section that's on the left as you face the canal. They are much nicer than those on the right side as you face the canal. I think we stayed in 507 and 506. Lovely. We left the windows open to hear the gondoliers and awoke to a room filled with fog. It was very romantic and very Venetian albeit a little wettish. The Danielli is probably also a great alternative though I like the hotels that give directly onto the canal rather than those that have the Riva Degli Schiavoni in front of them before the canal/actually there, the lagoon. Still can't imagine that the Cipriani wouldn't be top drawer.

Julie, thank you for the feed back.<BR><BR>I 've stayed twice at the Europa, and for my first stay there think I got the same room you had, from where I could see the Canal and also Santa Maria della Salute. It is a gorgeous room. There was also a narrow balcony, but not so narrow that we couldn't step out of our room ( my daughter was with me), and get to see the view without the windows' interfence. I risk to say that was the best view ( and one of the best rooms) I've had in so far. My daughter also stayed at the Danieli a little later, with her fianc&eacute;. She told me, however, that she had liked the Europa's room the best. She thought the Danieli's room was smaller, and a little shabby, comparing it to the Europa's.<BR><BR>My friend also stayed at the Danieli, and he doesn't rave about his room there. He's looking for a better, larger and brighter accomodation. <BR><BR>Thanks for your comments on the Bauer, since this was one of the hotels he was thinking of booking. Not his style, it seems.<BR><BR>Thanks again, and regards,<BR><BR>Surlok<BR><BR>

Anyone else??

Sorry I got the spelling wrong. The Bauer is the one I was against also. My daughter stayed there about a year ago and absolutely hated it, not just because of the decor, she found the staff exceptionally rude.

Come on, Fodorites, anyone else?<BR><BR>I don't believe that Johnny was the only one that actually stayed at the Cipriani. I wonder if someone else on this board stayed there... <BR><BR>Anyone??<BR><BR>Thanks,<BR><BR>Surlok<BR>< BR>

Trying once more...