Topic Wiki

Venice Overview
Venice is a gorgeous and romantic city that doesn't disappoint. It's a fantastic place to spend Shabbos because there are several points hotel options, a Chabad with several meal options, the ability to carry and because the biggest attraction of Venice - just simply walking the streets and bridges - is a perfect Shabbos activity which will keep you from just be sitting bored in a hotel room.

Trip Reports:
Dan, Avid Reader, MnM1130, ChAiM'l, aj26, Yosers1, jj1000, Hudi, Cbs, Eli, steve L, jmansour, VacationLover, Yehoshua, Mech, yg99, yls2011, ABC, AharonInIsrael, @Yehuda, shlonx  dvol, @Mootkim,Sam28,

Getting there and getting around:

How long should I go for?
There really aren't too many activities to do in Venice, so a 1-2 day trip could cover the must see/do sights, but the city is so beautiful that you won't regret a longer stay! Because the sights are mostly just walking around the streets, checking out the shops, etc. many people find spending just a Shabbos/weekend in Venice is enough to get their fill. Arrive on a Friday and leave Sunday evening and you'll get your fill. (Again, a longer stay rocks too!)

Travelling around Italy/Getting to Venice
Most often, if you're making a trip from USA to Venice, you're not just going to see Venice, but rather a few cities in Italy. When visiting Italy there are a few ways to travel around - trains, rent a car, or if you're going directly from one end of Italy (let's say Rome) to the other end (let's say Milan or Venice), it could be you'll want to fly.

Air:
If Venice is your first stop in Italy, then you'll likely be coming via air. VCE is the airport code, and the airport is not actually in Venice proper (no, the planes don't land in the canals). Rather, you'll have to take a water bus or water taxi from the airport to Venice proper. The water buses to/from the airport are run by a company called Alilaguna (buses here aren't run by the city), take around an hour to get to San Marco Square (the main points hotel location) and cost 14euro. You can buy a roundtrip in advance for 25euro. Private water taxis take around 1/2 hour, but are a lot more expensive. Because people arrive at VCE from many different locations, it's not practical to discuss the different routes you can take to get here.

Train:
If your Italy trip starts in a different city in Italy, then you may want to look into travelling via rail. There are 2 main train companies in Italy - TrenItalia and Treno Italo. Rates vary on a bunch of factors and neither site is fantastically designed, so check them out and ask for some help here if you need. Alternatively you can use loco2.com which is an easy to use site all in English it has all the options and they don’t charge anybooking fees. The express train Rome-Venice takes about 3:45 hours and the overnight takes 5.5-6.5 hours. As opposed to the airport, St. Lucia Train Station is actually in Venice proper. Once you arrive, you can take a Vaporetto to your desired location (again, likely San Marco Square). See "Getting around Venice" below for Vaporetto prices. You can also take a private water taxi, which won't have any stops, but will cost a lot more.

Car Rental:
If your Italy trip starts in a different city in Italy, then besides for taking trains, you may find that a car rental suits your needs better, especially if you plan on hitting up several cities along the way as taking a train usually means having to get a cab or bus to/from each train station from your hotel. That time/cost plus the cost of the trains may cause you to decide on a car rental instead. Since it's Europe, expect a manual car unless you pay more for an automatic. Driving in Italy may bother you if you're not super comfortable driving, but in terms of driving in Venice, don't be concerned. You'll be coming from a highway (which is just like highway driving back home), you'll get off onto normal sized/paved roads and within a few minutes, will likely be at your car rental dropoff - outside of Venice proper. There are no cars in Venice (although there is a Hertz in Venice proper that you could actually drive to and drop your car off, but rates at that location are super expensive), so you will likely drop your car off near the Venice-Mestre Train Station - not the St. Lucia station that's actually in Venice - but a second train station that's just outside Venice proper. From Mestre station, a 10 minute, 2 euro train ride will get you into St. Lucia station and from there you can follow the options listed above to get to your hotel.

Getting around Venice
If you're staying in the Jewish Ghetto or near San Marco Square (we'll get to where to stay soon), you'll be within walking distance (max 1/2 hour) of all the main sites in Venice. Even still, many people like to take a public water bus, known as a Vaporetto, to travel down the canals. You can buy tickets at many Vaparetto stops. An individual one way ride costs 7 euro, but there are also 24/48/72 hour passes that cost 20/30/40 euro, respectively. If you're between the ages of 14-29, you can buy a 72 hour Youth Pass for just 20 euro. It's possible that you may need to first purchase a "Rolling Venice" guidebook (should be available at the ticket counter) for 4 euro before they'll let you buy the Youth pass, but you can find that out at the ticket counter and even 24 euro is a great deal. There's also a special roundtrip beach ticket to Lido that costs 10 euro. Do some math to see what kind of pass will work best for you.


Where to stay:

There are 2 main areas where people normally stay: 1) The Jewish Ghetto, which is where the Shuls/restaurants are, as well as some Kosher hotels, but no points hotels and 2) San Marco Square, about a 1/2 hour walk from the Ghetto, but where most of the points hotels are. The walk is very nice, and helps you accomplish the "activity" of seeing the streets while on the way to your destination. The 30 minute walk may hinder your desire to make it to Shul for all Tefillos. YMMV ;)

Here are some places that are discussed in this thread:

NameAreaMore InfoComments
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Pardes RimonimJewish GhettoWebsiteKosher hotel
Carnival Place<10 minute walk to the GhettoWebsiteNicest hotel near the Ghetto
Locanda Del GhettoJewish GhettoWebsiteKosher hotel
Westin Europa and ReginaSan Marco SquareWebsiteSPG Cat. 6; 20-25K/night. Beautiful hotel with marble lobby and a luxurious feel.
Comfort Hotel DianaSan Marco SquareWebsite10K Choice/night. Definitely dated, but kinda rustic in that regard. Cheapest points hotel option in the points hotel-lacking city of Venice.
Grand Hotel Dei Dogi, Autograph Collection<10 minute walk to the GhettoWebsite45K Marriott/night.
JW Marriott Venice Resort & SpaNOT able to walk to the Ghetto, But Free ShuttleWebsite40K Marriott/night.
"Get your own place"AnywhereAirBNB, VRBO, HomeAwayRenting an apartment can be a great option in Venice especially if your family is large enough that you would otherwise have to get a few hotel rooms. You can find apartments near the Ghetto, and with meals at Chabad, this can definitely be a cheaper option than a hotel.

There are 2 other SPG properties, Hotel Danieli and The Gritti Palace, but there are some downsides to them. Both are SPG Cat. 7 which means you'll be paying a premium to stay there. Danieli is in the Square, but in Dan's TR you'll see that he pointed out there's no manual door, which poses an issue on Shabbos. Dan also writes that Gritti is 10 minutes away from the Square. The Gritti has  undergone extensive renovations and is now fresh and on par with Aman. Many consider it worth it the distance from Chabad. There are very few base rooms, so upgrades are easy to come by.


What to do:

As said a few times so far, the highlight of a trip to Venice is walking the streets/canals and checking out the boundless shops that line the streets. But, there are of course some actual activities that one can do, although it's hard to say that any are "must-do"s.

Attractions & Activities
NameMore InfoComments
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Doge's PalaceWebsiteYou can get a classic tour of the palace, or you can opt for the Secret Itineraries tour, which will take you down to the dungeons where the prison was and up to the top floors to see offices, a torture chamber, and a court room while listening to the story of Casanova's supposed escape. The Secret Itineraries tour does not cover the main rooms in the palace, but you are free to walk around afterwards on your own.
Jewish Museum/ Ghetto TourWebsiteThe Jewish Museum offers tours of the museum and Ghetto. While the tours of the Ghetto in Rome are highly recommended by DDFers (and many would say a trip to Rome without a tour is nuts), there is not too much talk on DDF about the tours of the Venice Ghetto. Take that as you will. The tour is closer to an hour and costs 10 euro. Without the tour, you can't get in to see the nice Shuls that are not open that season.
Gondola RideN/AYou'll see gondolas everywhere you look. There are a few places where can get one that will take you on a 5 minute ride just going across the width of the canal for a couple of euro (called a "Traghetto"). There are options to get a private, 45-60 minute ride that usually costs around 90 euro. And finally, there's an in between option where you'll be in your own gondola among a group of others that are in their own gondolas. Some companies offer music and a serenade. Do some Googling to see different prices. A gondola ride will give you an additional "real feel" of Venice, but passing on it to save some money isn't a crazy idea. Walking the canals yourself is quite amazing.
San Marco SquareN/AWhether your hotel is in this area or not, this is a nice stop on your walks. A huge, open square with restaurants and shops overlooked by the large church and clock tower. During the day, you'll see people feeding pigeons, and at night, you'll see plenty of street vendors trying to get you to buy a rose for DW or a light up flying saucer. You can go up the bell tower for 8 euro for a beautiful view and you can get the very interesting audio guide for an additional 4 euro.
Lido BeachN/AIf you're in Venice for a few days, perhaps you'll enjoy a quick Vaporetto ride to Lido, where a 10 minute walk will get you onto a free public beach. Warning: Remember that this is a European beach.
Padua                ??                 Synagogue and cemetery dating to the 1500's.

Luxury Launch's Venice Guide nice list of different things to do in Venice


Shuls/Shabbos:

NameMore InfoComments
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Jewish Community of VeniceWebsiteIn the Ghetto, there are 2 community Shuls - one used during the summer and the other during the winter - that are both right next to each other. There are daily Minyanim.
ChabadWebsite


Google Doc to sign up for meals
In the Ghetto, Chabad has their own Shul/Beis Medrash that acts as the Yeshiva for the Chabad students as well as a Shul during daily Minyanim. They also own a storefront that acts as the Chabad house. Chabad owns the fleishig restaurant, Gam Gam, as well as the pizza shop, Gam Gam Goodies, that are described below. On Shabbos, Chabad hosts several meal options. First of all, you could order takeout in advance and pick it up or have it delivered to your hotel. But where's the fun in that? For meals at Chabad, the options have changed as of June 1, 2015:

1) A Meal is offered after Davening both on Friday night and Shabbos day Kiddush - no reservations necessary. This is similar to the previous "free meals" that Chabad used to offer. The meal takes place in the Shul after davening. The meal provides the opportunity to sit at a big meal with Jews from all over the world with all different types of backgrounds, which many found to be an awesome experience. Please note that the "free meals" may be a little more limited in terms of options and quantities of food.

*Pre-reserved meals*
In the old system, there was only 1 way to reserve your own table, but now there are 2 ways. Meals can not be divided between the two locations and are served at any time you want after Davening. Reservations for both options can be made by emailing info@jewishvenice.org and including the calendar date of the Shabbos you will be there and the names/emails of each attendee, as well as choosing one of the below options:

2) Shabbos in the Gallery - This option existed under the old system. Three meals at a private table in a storefront near Gam Gam that normally functions as an art gallery. 90 euro per person

3) Luxury1 Shabbos at Gam Gam Restaurant - Three meals at your private table, with more of a luxury atmosphere & meal, including more food choices, than the Gallery. Minimum donation is 126 euro per person.
Ghimmel GardensWebsite


Food:

NameMore InfoComments
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Gam GamWebsiteA nice fleishig restaurant, owned by the Chabad Rabbi. Some food is better than others, the service is pretty classic, and the prices are a bit above reasonable. But hey, it's Kosher food in Venice! You can eat outside literally at the edge of the canal, which is pretty sweet unless it's cold at night. Reservations are recommended as it can get crowded.
Gam Gam GoodiesN/ALocated just a few steps from Gam Gam, this is a small storefront that serves as a pizza shop (no seating unfortunately, but you can find benches further along in the Ghetto and are welcome to sit in the Chabad house storefront to eat). You might also find other foods like falafel, chocolates, packaged deli and fresh baked goods, which can be great for breakfast (and deli and rolls can be great for a cheaper dinner or to take food with you to your next destination that might not have Kosher food). Pizza is priced fairly and is tasty.
Volpe BakeryWebsiteRight across the alley from Gam Gam Goodies is a bakery serving fresh breads and pastries. According to the link, it's under supervision from the Chief Rabbi of Venice (not the Chabad Rabbi), however, DDFers question the Kashrus here. As of July 2014, the Chazzan at the Italian Shul said he goes into the bakery to light the fire every morning and therefore you can eat there. The place is open on Shabbos, but it must be owned by a non-Jew (or else how could it get a hashgacha?) So, there are some concerns and you may want to check into the Kashrus before you go, but the locals sure make it seem like it's fine.
FrulalaWebsiteFresh fruit smoothies that the locals will tell you are Kosher as long as you get the water-based versions. There are 2 locations - a storefront and a kiosk - that are both on the main walk from San Marco Square to the Ghetto. The drinks are tasty and refreshing, while being reasonably priced. They also offer free shotglass-sized samples, which are a great way to get a quick thirst quencher while walking!
Ghimel GardenTheir FB pageFrom Hershelsdeals Gimmal Garden is a real restaurant, Gam Gam goodies doesn't even have chairs, and is officially a bakery, not a restaurant. so you can't even compare. GamGam goodies opens at 7AM and sells breakfast, Gimmal Garden only opens at 10AM and closes 10PM
Gimmal Garden also offers Shabbos meals, Friday night is meat and Shabbos day is dairy.The food at Gimmal is excellent, they have Pizza, Fish dishes, Pasta, salads, Falafel  ETC....

« Last edited by sam28 on September 12, 2023, 12:02:41 PM »

Author Topic: Venice Master Thread  (Read 897736 times)

Offline steve2

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #80 on: May 31, 2010, 03:53:09 PM »
Shabbos in Venice is a must, Chabad there, although a bit "messianic," ...


 Boy are U being very nice by saying "a bit" those arent the words Id use to describe most of those there

Offline SuperFlyer

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #81 on: May 31, 2010, 04:05:49 PM »
I loved the "antipasti a la messianica"

Yummm yummm :D

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #82 on: May 31, 2010, 06:29:55 PM »
Boy are U being very nice by saying "a bit" those arent the words Id use to describe most of those there
They provide an amazing service for free...how can I not be nice in return?
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #83 on: May 31, 2010, 06:36:59 PM »
They were always very nice, was there a couple of times.

Offline steve2

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #84 on: June 01, 2010, 01:29:02 AM »
They provide an amazing service for free...how can I not be nice in return?

 what 'service' did they provide for free?? I cant believe you didnt pay(OK  make a very nice Donation to cover your Shabbos meals)

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #85 on: June 01, 2010, 03:30:23 AM »
Steve2, this is a deja vue.

I was there once on a shabbos day meal, when a group of about 80 israelis walked past.
We all said, shabat shalom, join us. They didn't want, till we told them that it is free. They didn't want to believe it, but after pushing they agreed. After the meal, they left. They were in venice for the day, so chabad/gamgam/banin didn't make a cent on them.
If you really believe that he is making more profit out of getting donations and supplying free shabes meals, vs charging for meals, then I need to take my hat of for you. It means that you think that yidden are way more generous than I thought them to be.

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #86 on: June 01, 2010, 09:48:10 AM »
what 'service' did they provide for free?? I cant believe you didnt pay(OK  make a very nice Donation to cover your Shabbos meals)
We ate at Gam Gam a few times, and bought a pie of pizza and one of every type of absolutely delicious baked good at the new Gam Gam Pizza/Treat shop.  
I also gave him my card and offered my help in the future, but no, I didn't outright pay for the shabbos meals, which as per my email conversation with Rami were free.  I do hope that all of the other meals at their restaurants covered the shabbos food, but I was never asked for a donation by Rami.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #87 on: June 01, 2010, 12:51:38 PM »
We ate at Gam Gam a few times, and bought a pie of pizza and one of every type of absolutely delicious baked good at the new Gam Gam Pizza/Treat shop. 
I also gave him my card and offered my help in the future, but no, I didn't outright pay for the shabbos meals, which as per my email conversation with Rami were free.  I do hope that all of the other meals at their restaurants covered the shabbos food, but I was never asked for a donation by Rami.



WOW, Im Speechless especially after what everyone has posted on this thread, and yes Surprised as well

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #88 on: June 01, 2010, 12:54:42 PM »
Steve2, this is a deja vue.

I was there once on a shabbos day meal, when a group of about 80 israelis walked past.
We all said, shabat shalom, join us. They didn't want, till we told them that it is free. They didn't want to believe it, but after pushing they agreed. After the meal, they left. They were in venice for the day, so chabad/gamgam/banin didn't make a cent on them.
If you really believe that he is making more profit out of getting donations and supplying free shabes meals, vs charging for meals, then I need to take my hat of for you. It means that you think that yidden are way more generous than I thought them to be.

 those that I know who ate there felt after being told its Free but you can always make a donation if you wish to. Ended up giving a few $100 as they felt funny not to

Maybe its a generation thing or a thing with those who are well off to those who arent

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #89 on: June 01, 2010, 01:00:06 PM »
Sorry to leave you so speechless, but I spent close to $200 at Rami's restaurants trying out many different dishes.
He seemed pleased enough with that as he even gave me extra food for the trip home double wrapped for the airplane.

Like I said, he fully expects people to eat at the restaurants to subsidize the free shabbos meals.  Obviously donations are much appreciated, but that's not the purpose of free shabbos meals!
« Last Edit: June 01, 2010, 01:13:07 PM by Dan »
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #90 on: June 01, 2010, 01:25:49 PM »
those that I know who ate there felt after being told its Free but you can always make a donation if you wish to. Ended up giving a few $100 as they felt funny not to

Maybe its a generation thing or a thing with those who are well off to those who arent

No worries, its mostly americans who feel the they NEED to leave tips and so on.

europeans would look on a case by case basis,

and israelis.......

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #91 on: June 01, 2010, 01:35:44 PM »
Sorry to leave you so speechless, but I spent close to $200 at Rami's restaurants trying out many different dishes.
He seemed pleased enough with that as he even gave me extra food for the trip home double wrapped for the airplane.

Like I said, he fully expects people to eat at the restaurants to subsidize the free shabbos meals.  Obviously donations are much appreciated, but that's not the purpose of free shabbos meals!

 well before this year there was but 1 restaurant thats besides the office and shul in the sq, and from what I understood the donations were very much needed to cover everything


 U could have spent $1000 things arent cheap in Europe and no way would I say since I spent X$s at other businesses owned by the same owner I can therefore have a free go at another of their places, but thats just me

 I think there maybe some Israelis w/o any $$ that will endup in VCE but I highly doubt that anyone else will fit that bill

 seems we simply view things way differently from one another

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #92 on: June 01, 2010, 03:40:56 PM »
Also for SPG be sure not to stay at the Danieli for Shabbos, stick with the Cat. 5 Westin or Cat. 6 Gritti Palace.
dan, which one would you say is nicer (more modern etc.) from those 2 places? I will be there end of july for shabbos, and i will use weekend awards, so either one will "cost" me the same...

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #93 on: June 01, 2010, 04:36:32 PM »
I think the purpose of charging (or you giving a donation) is keep people who are just trying to get a free meal at bay. I dont think Chabad really minds its just that their main purpose is kiruv.

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #94 on: June 01, 2010, 06:12:00 PM »
I think the purpose of charging (or you giving a donation) is keep people who are just trying to get a free meal at bay. I dont think Chabad really minds its just that their main purpose is kiruv.

 Ok let me try it this way!

 I fully understand that Chabad wants those who ordinarly might not have a Shabbos meal to have 1 and if that means not charging them so be it, since theyd just go over to say the cheapest non-kosher restaurant and eat there

 What I didnt understand is why not charge those who are Shomer Shabbos? as its a great help knowing that a person will know they can have a hot meal on Shabbos. Also you can seat them in a closed area and provide them with a proper meal rather then what everyone gets. (at least in VCE) who arent paying for their meal. If Im paying $6.99 for a lunch special I wont expect a  steak with all the trimmings, I expect to get what I paid for if $0 then I should be happy with whatever it is

  Now for the last time I asked Rami why he didnt charge for Shabbos meals no different then the places Ive eaten at in Budapest or Vienna, he answered cause he felt a person will donate more $$ then what he would charge. Period. I fully understand that the $$ from everything goes towards paying the rent at GamGam,the shul, and the office + probably housing for the Youngsters that work there on a vol basis Im sure.

 A couple who were there last June found  plenty of food on Shabbos. Those in July and Aug found little in the way of food especially just potato's for the chulent and would have preferred being able to pay a fixed amount and enjoy a reg meal, then to walk away hungry. Most of those from July & aug said if they go again they would simply eat their Shabbos  meals at the B&B in the Sq. These people are Shomer Shabbos people if they werent then maybe it wouldnt have bothered them, if they were still hungry they could have simply brought whatever they wanted afterwards elsewhere

 So Understand I have no problems had there been a charge for the meals as long as a reg meal would have been served.Im 100% sure if Rami saw he wasnt bringing in the kind of Donations he needed to ($$$) he probably would change the way he does things

 Do I think Rami is making millions off tis, NOT at ALL, and if he was I think he would simply plough most of it into the operation in VCE and expand to reach out to the non-religious in other ways

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #95 on: June 04, 2010, 01:40:13 PM »
Also for SPG be sure not to stay at the Danieli for Shabbos, stick with the Cat. 5 Westin or Cat. 6 Gritti Palace.
which of these 2 are nicer?

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #96 on: June 04, 2010, 04:22:50 PM »
which of these 2 are nicer?
I only stayed at the Westin.
The Gritti Palace is the most famous hotel in Venice and is probably nicer.  In fact it used to be a SPG category 7 until a few months ago.

However the Westin is definitely closer to the Water Bus stop and is plenty nice.  I was given a nice Suite at the Westin.  Getting to the Gritti Palace with luggage will be a big pain if yo don't shell out the big bucks for a water taxi.
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Offline steve2

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #97 on: June 04, 2010, 04:25:56 PM »
I only stayed at the Westin.
The Gritti Palace is the most famous hotel in Venice and is probably nicer.  In fact it used to be a SPG category 7 until a few months ago.

However the Westin is definitely closer to the Water Bus stop and is plenty nice.  I was given a nice Suite at the Westin.  Getting to the Gritti Palace with luggage will be a big pain if yo don't shell out the big bucks for a water taxi.

 with a Canal view? or the sq in front of the main door

Offline Dan

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #98 on: June 04, 2010, 05:35:05 PM »
with a Canal view? or the sq in front of the main door
Just the square, but that was fine, we were almost never in the room after all.  It was just nice to have a suite or it would've been very crowded with all the junk we accumulated over the trip.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline moe

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #99 on: June 06, 2010, 01:37:47 PM »
I only stayed at the Westin.
The Gritti Palace is the most famous hotel in Venice and is probably nicer.  In fact it used to be a SPG category 7 until a few months ago.

However the Westin is definitely closer to the Water Bus stop and is plenty nice.  I was given a nice Suite at the Westin.  Getting to the Gritti Palace with luggage will be a big pain if yo don't shell out the big bucks for a water taxi.
i will be there with a baby but not too much luggage. I have weekend awards, so price is the same. Do you think i should go for the Gritti? Anyone been to both? I can't decide...