I can stay for free for a night at either the Westin Europa, Hotel des Bains, Gritti Palace or Danieli- which would you choose?

I choose the Gritti Palace - when do we leave?

What a wonderful dilemma!<BR>I haven't stayed at any of those, but I would not choose the Hotel des Bains because I wouldn't want to stay at the Lido. I would lean away from the Danieli, as wonderful as it's supposed to be, because I think Riva di Schiavoni can be very hectic and congested with tourists, especially as you walk to San Marco.<BR><BR>That leaves the Gritti Palace, which I've heard is absolutely perfect, and the Europa, ditto. My preference for location leans a bit toward the Europa, but I'm sure you'd be very happy at either.

For the reasons given by others, I'd opt out of Danielli and des Bains. I have stayed in the Europa which has some good and some not so good rooms but have always read that the Gritti is something of a landmark not to be missed, so I'd pick that one. I recall an article in Gourmet magazine that claimed the best thing in the world was to arrive in Venice by train, sweep down to the Grand Canal and take a gondola to the Gritti, sweep in one door and out the other and the whole trip would still be worth it.

here's another vote for the europa. wonderful rooms, attentive staff and fantastic location. we loved our stay there and recommended it to others who also raved about it.

Avoid the Hotel des Bains. It is a museum with matresses dating from it's original opening. The management is indifferent, pretending not to understand the defects and not to care. The food at dinner was poor. The tourist is lulled into the supposedly free snacks offered but really costing $8+ for 20 Pringles. A truly low-class hotel. The Westin Exclesior is luxurious in contrast.

Another vote for the Gritti. The Danieli isn't bad, but it's nearly 3 times as big as the Gritti----just too large to feel good, as far as I am concerned. I wouldn't take a second look at any of the others, except possibly the Europa, which I really don't know and therefore can't criticize (though Europa is also large, about twice as big as Gritti).

Do a search on the site for the Gritti. I vaguely recall some complaints about being dumped in a tiny, not very clean room, and not being treated well by the staff. Even though most folks, including myself, consider the Gritti one of the great hotels of the world...reputations can slip..so I urge you to check it out.

NO DOUBT, as I've said on this site before...DANIELLI, Room 70 'nuff said!!!' By the way there is a side walkway along the Danielli which is never crowded and is a great short cut around the crowds at San Marco.

Gritti no doubt aboutit! Have a bellini for me on the terrace overlooking the Grand Canal!<BR>