Walking distance to major attractions plus direct access to water taxis
Ornate waterfront hotel with a history dating back to the 1300s
Elegant rooms with flat-screen TVs, minibars; some with terraces
Suites with original frescos and Murano glass chandeliers
Restaurant, two bars, wine suite, and room service
24-hour fitness center and in-room spa services
Meeting and event spaces and a 24-hour business center
American buffet breakfast (for a fee)
Valet and self-parking (for a fee)
Free Wi-Fi in public spaces
Some rooms are dated and small
Dining options are very pricey, and food quality is inconsistent
Historic decor may feel fussy to some
Complaints about the elevator and outside noise in rooms
In-room Wi-Fi costs extra (free for SPG members)
Sitting at the waterfront of St. Mark’s Basin, Hotel Danieli is a luxury property with direct access to water taxis and walking distance to many top attractions. The Danieli itself is an attraction, with a rich history of hosting royalty and celebrities dating back to the 1300s. Most of its 210 rooms are luxe and romantic with a classical Venetian flair, but a few rooms are small with decor that leans toward dated. Still, all rooms have flat-screen TVs, minibars, air-conditioning, and the option of a terrace with lagoon views. A restaurant, two bars, meeting rooms, and a fitness center round out the lavish facilities, and the hotel's terrace with views over the water is a lovely spot for a glass of wine. For a similar luxury property with a spa, travelers could also consider the nearby Gritti Palace.
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Scene
Historic hotel with luxurious, ornate decor that caters to couples
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.
Location
On the waterfront of the San Marco Basin and within walking distance to many attractions
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.
Rooms
Luxurious, romantic rooms with flat-screen TVs, minibars, and terraces in some
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.
Features
Restaurant plus a Wine Suite, two bars, fitness center, and meeting rooms
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.
