Hotel Danieli, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Venice

Hotel Danieli is housed in three buildings that date back to the 1300s. After being residences for Venice’s aristocratic and ruling families, it became a hotel in 1822 and has hosted royalty, celebrities, and artists. Lavish decor like Murano glass chandeliers, gilded molding, plush antique couches, massive oil paintings, grand halls, and an old-fashioned wooden front desk with a wall of antique room keys give it a luxurious Old World look. The restaurant and wine suite have similar romantic styles with white tablecloths draped over dark wood or wrought-iron tables, and red accents in the form of floral arrangements or velour chairs. The bar has a golden color scheme with antique chairs, a wooden bar, and marble columns. The atmospheric property has served as the setting for movies, such as the Johnny Depp/Angelina Jolie vehicle "The Tourist" and the real-life Maria Callas and Aristotle Onassis love affair. Today the guests are still predominantly vacationing couples. But some guests may find the elegant and historic nature of the decor fussy. Renovations have been ongoing since 2011 to keep the historic property up to date.

Hotel Danieli is located on the bustling Riva degli Schiavoni, a waterfront promenade along the San Marco Basin. Several of the city's top attractions are within walking distance. Doge’s Palace is a two-minute walk from the hotel, while the Bridge of Sighs takes three minutes on foot to reach. Piombi prison, where Casanova was imprisoned, is a minutes’ walk away inside Doge's Palace. St. Mark’s Basilica is a four-minute walk. Other attractions are best reached by water taxi such as Lido Beach, a 30-minute ride, or Murano Island, 35 minutes. Venice Marco Polo Airport is 50 minutes away by water taxi or a 25-minute drive. 

Though the guest rooms differ in decor, they all have a similar luxurious, romantic style with classic antique furnishings such as Murano glass chandeliers, etched mirrors, gilt molding, arched headboards, velour chairs and couches, and heavy drapery. Some suites, like the Dodge Dandolo Royal Suite, display 19th-century Italian portraits, ceiling frescoes, rare silver pieces, large antique carpets, and gilded decorative items. Note that some rooms are smaller than others, and some complaints have been made about dated items. Each air-conditioned room includes a flat-screen TV and minibar. In-room Wi-Fi is an extra fee, except for Starwood Preferred Guest members (a hotel program that's free to join). Some rooms also include furnished terraces with views of the city or the lagoon, though outside noise can be an issue. The marble bathrooms are elegant and come equipped with hairdryers, robes and slippers, and waterfall showerheads. Rooms have shower/tub combos with deep tubs, while Suites have separate showers and tubs and sometimes two sinks. 

The hotel’s signature restaurant is Terrazza Danieli, a white-tablecloth experience with Mediterranean cuisine that has hints of the East and West, and the option of indoor seating or a lovely terrace with tables that overlook the lagoon. It’s an upscale restaurant with prices to match, though some complaints have been made concerning the food quality and service. Guests can enjoy an American breakfast for a costly fee. Danieli Wine Suite has an extensive list of wine and pairings. The hotel has two bars, Bar Terrazza Danieli, open in the summer months for cocktails and snacks, and Bar Dandolo, which serves espresso, snacks, cocktails, and afternoon tea. There’s 24-hour room service as well.The 24-hour fitness center has five cardio machines and free weights. In-room massages are available. The hotel has seven meeting rooms that can hold up to 160 people and event facilities for up to 200 people, plus there’s a comprehensive 24-hour business center with computers and a printer. Wi-Fi is free in public spaces, but incurs an extra fee in rooms unless guests are members of the Starwood Preferred Guest program, which is free to join. Both self and valet parking incur daily fees.