Hotel Danieli, Venice

BACKGROUND Formed from three palaces – the oldest goes back to the 14th century – the Danieli is one of Venice’s grandest hotels. Designed to meet the high demands of Europe’s nobility, it continues to set the standard in a city almost overrun with extravagant properties.

Located on Riva degli Schiavoni, the hotel is mere steps away from the Bridge of Sighs and the famous monuments of Piazza San Marco. Venice Lido is a short boat ride away, where guest can enjoy beach and golf facilities. Guests of the hotel enjoy discount rates at the Golf Club Alberoni. Today, it’s part of Starwood’s Luxury Collection. WHAT’S IT LIKE? Rooms and suites feature antique furniture and plenty of ornate gold leaf, alongside Fortuny and Rubelli fabrics. The Excelsior – located in the third Palazzo that makes up Hotel Danieli – was recently revamped by designer Jacques Gardia, and now offers a more modern feel. The standout feature, however, is the ornate lobby. Murano-glass chandeliers, opulent rugs and marble pillars create the epitome of 14th century opulence. ROOM FACILITIES The property features 225 rooms and suites, and those with a lagoon view are the most highly coveted. I stayed in a Luxury Lagoon View Double room (#514), complete with hand-blown lamps and unique detailing that felt straight out of the history books. A blend of Gothic styles, the room had wood-trimmed French doors, deep red upholstered armchairs and a wrought iron balcony (which is rare in Venice). While compact, the room provided ample space – complete with two chairs, a small table, desk and grandiose wardrobe that took up most of one of the walls. The bathroom – while again small – was fitted out head-to-toe in marble, and featured a large bath-and-shower combo. Don’t expect touch-pad controls here, lights are of the old-school brass variety (although there is a bedside master switch). RESTAURANTS AND BARS Most guests flock to the restaurant Terrazza Danieli: it’s enviable view offering unrivalled views of the Serenissima beyond. Food combines Venice’s historic role as the crossroads between east and west with a mix of Italian staples and local specialities. The restaurant also serves breakfast each morning, offering a mix of international and continental food in a buffet.

Adjacent to the Terrazza is the Danieli’s newest restaurant, The Egg Nicola Batavia. An Italian bistro concept, it re-imagines Venice’s most famous finger food Cicchetti (a bit like Spanish Tapas, but using Italian flavours). As its name suggests, The Egg is the brainchild of Nicola Batavia, chef and owner of the Michelin-starred restaurant ‘L Birichin in Turin. Unlike his restaurant in North Italy, this boasts an informal setting and simple, but delicious, dishes. MEETING FACILITIES Hotel Danieli has a range of elegant meeting and reception rooms, to simple ground-floor boardrooms to the Renaissance-inspired Marco Polo banqueting rooms – complete with Italian portraits, red velvet and gold Murano mirrors. Maximum capacity for any one event is 160, supported by presentation equipment, personalised banqueting services and a team of coordinators. LEISURE FACILITIES If Venice’s historic canals don’t take your fancy, there are in-room spa treatments available as well as fitness room and even tennis court (nearby). Guests can be ferried to Venice Lido for beach access, as well as access to the Golf Club Alberoni. Emma Hodgson VERDICT The Hotel Danieli is as historic as it is opulent and supremely capable of handling all the mod cons a business or luxury traveller might require. No small task, from a hotel whose heritage dates back to the 14th century.