· Open -

1822

· 1st Owner -

Giuseppe Dal Niel - rented part of the palace in 1822 and turned it into a hotel. His nickname was Danieli.

· AKA -

Palazzo Dandolo - Palazzo Casa Nuova - Palazzo Danieli Excelsior / Le Royal Danieli /  Royal Hotel Danieli

· Stars - *****

· Guests -

Goethe / Richard Wagner / Charles Dickens / Lord Byron / Marcel  Proust / Greta Garbo / Charlie Chaplin / Elizabeth Taylor / Omar Sharif / Johnny Depp / Harrison Ford / Angelina Jolie / Percy Shelley / Truman Capote

· History -

The palaces which comprise the hotel were home to the Dandolo family and housed the city's treasury. Four of the Dandolos served as the Doge of Venice (Duke). The third palace was redesigned with guest rooms and balconies overlooking the lagoon.

Enrico Dandolo (one of the Doges) conquered Constantinople in 1204 and brought back treasure, some of which found its way into the palace.

In 1906 the buildings in between the palaces were demolished and replaced with Palazzo Danieli Excelsior

Since then the hotel has had numerous renovations and is constantly being looked after to preserve its original condition and splendour.

· Signature -

Doge Dandolo Royal Suite - live like a 14th century Venetian aristocrat or a secret agent seducing Dr Holly Goodhead

The Doge cocktail

· Rooms -

204 Rooms and Suites @ $824 - $6,999

· Tales -

The most famous scandal at the hotel was the love affair happening in Room number 10 between George Sands and Alfred de Musset. No it's not what you're thinking. George Sand was the pen name for French romantic writer Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin. Back then she had to masquerade as a man to get published. She had married into high society but quickly shocked them by dressing as a man and smoking tobacco in public. Alfred de Musset was a child genius and a Romantic poet and novelist. Both were literary giants in their day. She had numerous well publicised affairs including one with Chopin which lasted 9 years until he took up with her 19 year old daughter. De Musset was well known at the local brothels and opium dens, where ever he was. They had adjoining rooms at the Danieli.

Alfred became quite ill after a month and a doctor was called in to see him. By the time he had slowly recovered George and the young doctor had become lovers.

Their affair managed to scandalise society in both Paris and Venice. She was despised by "decent" people for her anti-marriage diatribes anyway.  His shameless whore mongering and violent jealous rages paired with her promiscuity with both sexes was plenty of fodder to keep peoples tongues wagging.

The second famous love story to happen at the hotel was between Eleonora Duse and Gabriele D'Annunzio. She was a famous actress and he was a poet, playwright and aristocrat among other things. She saw him out the front of the hotel and their tumultuous 8 year love affair began in one of the hotel suites that night. Known for his extravagant and unusual tastes D'Annunzio would say "I gave her everything, even suffering".

The third love story belongs to Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis and famous opera singer Maria Callas. They met at a party at the Danieli. They were both married at the time so they didn't get together until two years later when she accepted an invitation for a cruise aboard his yacht in 1959. Both of their spouses were along for the ride. There were other guests aboard as well and to everybody's horror Ari made no attempt to hide his intentions. Somewhere along the way they consummated the relationship and Ari asked Maria's husband for a divorce.

· Claim to Fame -

It is one of the most famous hotels in the world

It was a part of the "Grand Tour" in the 17th and 18th centuries

Bar Dandolo featured in 3 James Bond films including Casino Royale and Moonraker

It featured in the movie The Tourist with Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie

· Innovations -

A Pet Welcome Kit - 1 pet per room up to 8 kg - pet bed, food and water bowls, welcome gift, map of nearby parks and suggested walks, Made in Italy pet items such as cleaning kits and leashes. Pets are welcome in the Bistro Danieli and Bar Danieli. Pets stay for free and pet sitters are available.

· Feature -

A rich collection of precious art and antiques

Concierge Desk - from walking tours to reservations at the finest restaurants find the true Venice.

Murano glass chandeliers, the Golden staircase, the Atrium

· View -

Spectacular views of the Grand Canal and Islands

· High Tea -

English Afternoon Tea is served daily in the Dandolo Bar at 4 pm.

· Facilities -

24 hour Fitness Centre

Weddings - expert professional team to help plan and organise the whole event - 11 event rooms, catering, up to 180 guests and views to die for.

Click here for the Wedding page.

Bathrooms are all marble / Private boat access / In room treatments

Private launch transfer to sister hotels on Lido with Private beach, pool and golf course

· Unique -

Comprised of 3 palaces from the 14th, 17th and 19th centuries

· Restaurants -

Outdoor Patio - al fresco breakfast, lunch and dinner from May until October - the area is transformed at sunset and you can see the stars reflected in the lagoon at night time.

Danieli Bistro - specialising in Venetian small treats or side dishes with breathtaking views from the top floor of Palazzo Dandolo

Restaurant Terrazza Danieli - matching spices from the ancient traders with produce fresh from the lagoon - rooftop indoor / outdoor dining with some of Venice's best views from the outdoor terrace - a feature of the restaurant is the wine pairing dinners

· Bars -

Bar Dandolo - for coffee and lunch during the day and a lively piano bar in the evening. Try the special Vesper Martini concocted to celebrate the bar being in a James Bond movie. The bar has been named in Italy's best 20 bars for the past 16 years.

Bar Terrazza Danieli - when weather permits the rooftop bar opens up with some of the most extraordinary views over the lagoon and the Grand Canal - THE place for a sunset Bellini or two.

..........................................

Harry's Bar - iconic inventor of the Peach Bellini in 1948

· Sights -

The hotel itself is an attraction it's like a living museum / Steps away from the Piazza San Marco and Ponte Dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs) / Palazzo Ducale / St Mark's Basilica / St Mark's Belltower / Piombi Prison (where Casanova was held in 1755) / Vaporetto tour of the Grand Canal / Rialto Bridge and shops / stroll the canals - just watch out for those green steps / Gondola ride / visit the islands / kayak tours / Venice Golf Club / Jewish Ghetto / Marco Polo's House 

· Extra -

See Italy in 'Countries' 

Click here to go to the marker map.