I have booked a Jr suite in the Danieli (facing street) using my starwood points. I thought I would be lucky to stay in such a famous hotel but after reading many negative threads about the hotel I am no longer sure. Should I cancel this hotel for another one with a canal view?

I haven't reviewed the comments on the Danieli, but from personal experience I can say that it is a very nice hotel. It's big, which might be good or bad depending on what you like. But it's a luxury hotel and it is one of the half-dozen or so hotels in Venice that always get top ratings, as far as I know.<BR><BR>If you want to change, I'd recommend the Metropole, also a very nice place, considerably smaller with (to me) a better ambience, and a lot of history (for instance, Vivaldi lived there and did some of his composing there).

I think you would be foolish to cancel a great hotel using Starwood points. I would call the hotel in advance, speak to the front desk manager or even the GM of the hotel, and ask him to respond to any negative threads. FOR SURE you will be treated like royalty when you arrive if you call attention to yourself in advance. I am sure it is all a matter of WHEN you are there -- if you are going to visit during a peak when they are subject to overbooking, and worse, people not checking out on time, you can have a terrible experience anywhere. Like I had at the Intercontinental in Paris last year, after another great stay there the prior week. So spend $5 and call there and discuss it with senior management, that is alot cheaper than paying for another hotel!!! and guaranteed to work.

ttt

Its a zoo. Spend the extra points on the Gritti. The rooms are quite large and I don't mind even one little bit when I'm not given that upgrad to a suite. (I'm Starwood Plat.)

I had lunch at the Danieli and from what I saw it was magnificent. The restaurant over looking the lagoon was wonderful. The food - delicious. Service impeccable. The view of San Giorgio Maggiore and the various boats moving up and down the lagoon - beautiful. <BR><BR>My wife and I felt like it was a first class hotel. Very close to San Marco. You just walk over a small bridge, look to your right and see the Bridge of Sighs and then walk past the fantastic Doges palace and Voila - you're at San Marco. Not more than 300 yards. Great location.<BR><BR>We also ate at Cippriani's and thought that was outstanding too. We've been to Venice twice and both times were on a cruise ship so we slept on the ship and only ate at these restaurants.<BR><BR>On both cruises the ship stayed for 2 days in Venice. Walked everywhere and loved every minute of it. Venice is magical!<BR><BR>