Hotel Danieli is one of the most beautiful 5-Star Hotels I’ve ever seen. Imagine how thrilled I was to trade in a few gazillion miles and book a room there for the family! The hotel is in the restored 14th century palace of the Dandolo’s family. First, I’ll tell you about the hotel’s incredible location, then more about the hotel itself. The hotel is located on the Riva deli Schiavoni with the Grand Canal in front, and just a few minutes walk from Saint Mark’s Square, and the Bridge of Sighs.
You can take a water taxi from the Venice Marco Polo Airport or Venice Santa Lucia Train Station that will drop you off right in front of the hotel. The ride will cost around (100 euros). You can also take the Ferry which is much cheaper but makes several stops along the way.
We decided to take the water taxi from Venice Marco Polo Airport parking directly to Danieli hotel Venice. It was just the five of us on the boat and we wanted to get to the hotel in a short period of time.
Our water taxi dropped us off back at the entrance of the incredible Hotel Danieli. From the moment we walk through its revolving doors, we were transformed back in time to the beauty of a Renaissance palace. The architecture and the sculpted walls are a sight to see. The friendly hotel staff greeted us and escorted us to the reception area of the hotel to check-in. The lobby bar is spectacular with gorgeous furniture and chandeliers, and waiters in starched white coats, like the old days.
The hotel has elevators that took us right up to our floor. It was a long walk through the hotel to our rooms, but that’s expected in an old-world hotel with charm and style. Our rooms had a balcony facing the Grand Canal waterway. The bathroom was enriched in marble with hanging bathrobes and slippers for our use.
The best views of Venice are from Hotel Danieli’s roof top restaurant called Restaurant Terrazza Danieli. It’s charming rooftop restaurant which delivers delectable Mediterranean and Regional Cuisine. It’s fine dining experience is beautifully complemented by the captivating panoramas of the Grand Canal and the Lido.
On the way to the restaurant one of the things that captured my attention were these beautifully colorful stain glass artwork on the windows outside the restaurant.
On arrival at the restaurant, we were shown to our table and well, I was speechless for a moment (doesn’t happen often!) a truly breathtaking view! We decided to sit outside and enjoy lunch. The view is absolutely stunning at any time of day, there are no other words to describe it.
In the evenings you can order from the al a carte menu or select a 4 course set menu for approx €97 per person. The food is very good, and they give you decent portions. We found the staff to be very friendly and attentive. The pianist made our meal very special with the lovely music he played. Yes, it was expensive but in my opinion worth every penny.
You must go have dinner in the evening at the Restaurant Terrazza Danieli or enjoy breakfast in the morning.
If you plan on going to Venice, this is the place to stay. The hotel was featured on the film “The Tourist” with Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie.
Rooms range from 480-570 euros/night depending on the room and location. If you’re a member of the Starwood Hotel & Resorts (SPG) , you can redeem points like we did (30,000) points for one night per room.
Jessica @ Independent Travel Cats
July 20, 2014 at 6:46 pmLooks very beautiful and I’ve seen the movie The Tourist (bad movie but nice hotel!). Love the lobby area.
BTW, was the cost of the water taxi $100 or 100 euros (you wrote “$100 euros”)?
Carmen
July 20, 2014 at 7:13 pmHi Jessica. The cost of the water taxi was 100 euros. Thanks for pointing that out to me. It’s a lovely hotel.
Katie
July 21, 2014 at 1:05 amOh, I’ve always wanted to visit Venice! That hotel is stunning!! Your pictures of the reception area almost look like a painting – it’s so gorgeous. I’m a huge sucker for a rooftop terrace, so I know I’d love that.
Carmen
July 21, 2014 at 1:16 pmHi Katie, We loved Venice and have stayed at the Danieli twice now. It’s a perfect location and walking distance to everything. Plus, you can’t beat the view from the rooftop restaurant.
Sarah Ebner
July 21, 2014 at 3:29 pmWow, this looks incredibly special. We would love to do this! We used our Starwood Points for two gorgeous nights in Paris last year – now we’ll need to start saving again!
Carmen
July 21, 2014 at 10:03 pmThanks Sarah. It’s quite a unique hotel. I was very happy when I found out I was able to use points. It was worth it.
TammyOnTheMove
July 21, 2014 at 5:51 pmI love Venice. I have been there three times already and could go again and again. It is such a special place.
Carmen
July 21, 2014 at 10:06 pmHi Tammy, It is a special place, I don’t think I would ever get tired of visiting it either. We’ve been to Venice three times as well.
Bailey K.
July 21, 2014 at 7:29 pmWow. That is one GORGEOUS hotel! And in an amazing place, too!
Carmen
July 21, 2014 at 10:09 pmHi Bailey, The hotel is one of these places that as soon as you walk in you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. It’s my favorite hotel so far.
Hannah
July 21, 2014 at 11:44 pmThat lobby! *jaw drop* so incredible! Venice is (as of this time) my favourite city and I can’t wait to go back. Maybe I’ll win the lotto and stay here next time 😉
Carmen
July 23, 2014 at 9:26 pmHi Hannah, The lobby is beautiful with its grand staircase and chandeliers. I hope to return to Venice again someday, and will definitely stay at the Danieli again.
Milosz Zak
July 22, 2014 at 4:21 amI travelled to Venice last May, and I visited many of the museums and palazzos, but I probably should have visited or even stayed in one of the hotels. As a student, it just wasn’t an option then, but this has really opened my eyes to what the ‘hidden’ Venice has to offer – right beyond the lobby.
Carmen
July 23, 2014 at 9:38 pmHi Milosz, We spent three day in Venice our last trip. I know it can be expensive, especially to stay in Venice. I hope to get to experience a night in the Daneili.
Els
July 22, 2014 at 12:25 pmWow! Look at that reception area, these walls, the view from the terrace and the balcony! I’m sure you pay the price, but it would be hard to find better in Venice I imagine!
Carmen
July 23, 2014 at 9:45 pmHi Els, We used our points to stay, so it wasn’t too bad. We would do it all over again if we had the chance.
Sand In My Suitcase
July 22, 2014 at 3:44 pmWell, you can’t do much better than the Hotel Danieli in Venice! It looks totally gorgeous :-). Glad you enjoyed your stay there…
Carmen
July 23, 2014 at 9:57 pmThanks Janice, This hotel is pure luxury and we loved and enjoyed everything about it.
Amy
July 22, 2014 at 7:49 pmGorgeous! I’m planning on taking my parents to Venice next summer and have been going back and forth on if it’s going to be worth it to splurge my SPG points on Hotel Danieli. It will be hard to part with several thousand points at once, but I think you have me convinced. How could I pass up those views?
Carmen
July 23, 2014 at 10:07 pmHi Amy, I think your parents would love the hotel. For location, it doesn’t get much better. It’s about one hundred feet from the start to St. Marks Square.
SJ @ Chasing the Donkey
July 22, 2014 at 7:58 pmOhhhhhh Venice is not that far from me here in Croatia (a ferry ride).. may have to think about a little side trip. Thanks for linking up with is for #SundayTraveler again Carmen.
Carmen
July 23, 2014 at 10:08 pmHi SJ, I would be taking the ferry over often if I lived that close. 🙂
Suzanne (Travelbunny)
July 22, 2014 at 8:32 pmIt’s a gorgeous hotel – sadly I only made it as far as the lobby when we sneaked in for a sneaky peek! Love your photos 🙂
Carmen
July 23, 2014 at 10:12 pmHi Suzanne, Next time you’re in Venice if you don’t stay at the Danieli, make sure you go have a meal at the Restaurant Terrazza.
Heather Cole
July 22, 2014 at 8:43 pmWow!!!!! So jealous! I’ve wanted to stay here for ages (when we did Venice we could only afford a tiny box room in a 3* guest house tucked away in the back alleys). Lovely photos, you’ve renewed my determination to get there one day 🙂
Carmen
July 23, 2014 at 10:28 pmHi Heather, I completely understand. We wanted to go to Venice for as long as I can remember. I wanted to make it a memorable experience for the family. I’m glad we got the chance to stay there.
Jen Seligmann
July 23, 2014 at 9:10 amOMG it looks amazing! Don’t you just love miles. Hopefully I can use mine one day to stay at this incredible hotel. If not I’m going to have to sneak into that lobby next time I’m in Venice just to get a good look.
Carmen
July 23, 2014 at 10:40 pmHi Jen, I love miles…I try to use my miles first when I made reservations. We’ve stayed in some incredible places using miles. Make sure you go upstairs and check out the restaurant.
Charles McCool
July 23, 2014 at 6:43 pmGorgeous pictures of a phenomenal property!
Carmen
July 25, 2014 at 11:06 pmThanks Charles. This Hotel is as unique as the city it occupies.
Mary {The World Is A Book}
July 24, 2014 at 5:39 amI am left a bit speechless at how grand this hotel looks. Wow. That reception and lobby is just gorgeous. I would probably be walking around with my mouth hanging open in awe. I have a picture of the hotel from the outside because I loved its windows. How lucky for all of you to have such a grand view of the canal. Beautiful photos too! I think I need to switch to Starwood properties just for the opportunity to stay here.
Carmen
July 25, 2014 at 11:14 pmHi Mary, I was a little overwhelmed myself the first time we walked in. I was so happy when I found out that I was able to redeem my points to stay there. It was so worth it. 🙂
Adrienne @ AdrienneAway
July 24, 2014 at 1:53 pmVenice! The next trip on my bucket list. Looks so amazing.
Carmen
July 25, 2014 at 11:26 pmHi Adrienne, Venice is definitely a city for one’s bucket list. When cruising down the Grand Canal you feel like you’re in a painting.
Adelina // Pack Me To
July 24, 2014 at 4:56 pmHoly mackerel! That hotel is super gorgeous! And super expensive – so out of my price range, but one can dream can’t they?
Carmen
July 26, 2014 at 3:47 pmHi Adelina, This hotel exudes old world charm and was the perfect stay for my family during our recent trip to Venice. It’s a little pricy but that’s expected when you see the hotel.
Christa Thompson
July 24, 2014 at 9:54 pmTwo words: Molto Bella! Just the reception area alone had my jaw dropping… Gorgeous pictures too. Thank you, great post!
Carmen
July 26, 2014 at 3:52 pmThanks Christa. Oh all the hotels were’ve stayed in this one takes the cake.
Ashley @ A Southern Gypsy
July 25, 2014 at 3:37 amHoly crap! So out of my price range but I’d love to stay there! Lucky you 🙂
Carmen
July 26, 2014 at 3:54 pmHi Ashley, We were very fortunate to stay at the Danieli. If I return to Venice I wouldn’t stay anywhere else. It’s a gorgeous hotel. 🙂
Lauren
July 27, 2014 at 5:09 amWhat an incredibly fancy place! It is gorgeous! A bit out of my price range, but if I could stay there, I totally would (or do it with travel miles!) 🙂
Carmen
July 28, 2014 at 2:04 pmHi Lauren. It was one of the best decisions I’ve made, cashing in our points to stay at the Danieli. This hotel is pure luxury and we loved and enjoyed everything about it.
Bianca @itsallbee
July 27, 2014 at 7:26 pmwow! I remember passing this place when I was in Venice. I certainly cant afford but like you I certainly use some of my points to get a taste hotels that I wouldnt dare blow my own cash with.
Carmen
July 28, 2014 at 2:07 pmHi Bianca, The hotel provided our family with a special experience of Venice. Definitely, worth the money and points. Lots of people stop in to see the lobby area, but never make it to the rooftop. I think it’s one of the best views of Venice.
Deborah Thompson
October 3, 2016 at 11:00 amHi Carmen – lovely blog about this classic hotel! We were in Venice in April and when we are there we always visit the Danieli for lunch or dinner on that terrace and just stroll around the lobby and public areas. Truly stunning! I invite you to come and read my blog on our stay at The Gritti Palace – you should stay at this hotel next 🙂
Carmen Edelson
October 3, 2016 at 11:12 amHi Deborah! We visited The Gritti Palace too. It’s just as grand with beautiful interiors too. Next time we go to Venice I’ll give it a try. Thanks for stopping by, I’ll definitely check out your blog.
Simone Morine
August 2, 2017 at 6:20 amBeautiful Hotel at the amazing location. Wish, I will be there one day. Venice is one of the most beautiful city in the world & your hotel is like the cherry on the cake. Just love it.
Carmen Edelson
August 5, 2017 at 2:25 amI agree, it’s an incredibly beautiful city!