Hotel Danieli

 One of the world's renowned luxury hotels, and probably the city's most famous, this exclusive top-notch choice has a wealth of immaculately restored original features and an almost awe-inspiring lobby and lounge.

For views across the lagoon combined with proximity to St. Mark's Square, it's also one of the best positioned, although this location is very busy. A popular choice in the 19th-century for royalty, writers and composers, today it naturally attracts the well-healed but also families and couples too.

The modern Excelsior annexe may lack the visual charm of the older wings, but its top-floor restaurant boasts some of the best views in the city. A free shuttle boat operates to the Lido in summer.

Exterior

The original building is a majestic 4-storey terracotta former 14th-century palace, the Palazzo Dandolo, in Moorish-style with arched windows and pointed turrets, which opened as a hotel in 1822.

This is flanked either side by 2 interconnected more modern annexes: one, Casa Nuova, is a 6-storey cream-coloured 19th-century building with black wrought-iron balconies; the other, Danieli Excelsior, a less appealing, beige 5-storey 1940's concrete structure, controversially out of keeping with other surrounding buildings.

Property type: Hotel

Balcony/Terrace: Some rooms

Storeys: 4/6

Built Year: 1300s

Interior

The spectacular interior boasts an imposing marble and stucco-work 4-storey Gothic foyer with decorative arches and a grand 'golden' staircase.

Tall arches and columns open to a magnificent, richly-furnished galleried salon with an intricate gilded ceiling, tall arched stained glass windows, large Venetian-glass chandeliers, woven rugs, pink marble columns and a huge stone fireplace with carved figures above it.

A red-backed dark-wood bar is tucked discreetly into one corner. On the top floor of the Excelsior annexe is the sophisticated wood-panelled restaurant with its own bar.

Rooms: 225

Grounds

The rooftop terrace to the restaurant and bar boasts exceptional views over the lagoon towards Giudecca, the Lido and even the mainland on a clear day.

Location

Area Type: On the busy waterfront immediately to the E of the Doge's Palace, 100 yds from St Mark's Square, with lots of souvenir stalls outside and gondolier stations and San Zaccaria vaporetto jetties opposite.

Facilities