Review of Danieli, by Jamie Dunford Wood

The luxury Hotel Danieli has always been a fine haven from the crowds of tourists on the Riva in Venice.

The facilities

This luxury hotel has a cool and undisturbed reading room just inside to the right where you can read free newspapers in many languages. It has a delightful bar at the back on the left off its really magnificent two storied Venetian reception hall, with its coffered ceiling and series of large Venetian glass chandeliers. The Danieli also has a magnificent roof bar with fabulous views over the lagoon.

This luxury hotel therefore always has something of a bustling air in the reception area. As for the guest areas, it is really three buildings. Two are done up in Venetian style (the original 14th-century building, and the 18th-century building behind it), and the third, more modern block to the left. The décor of the modern block is in the ubiquitous French Empire style - a little out of place in Venice given the treasures this city can provide you with, but a quirky addition.

The rooms

If you are after size, this luxury hotel's 233 rooms are the biggest and most luxurious in the city. For a start you have the benefit of truly romantic sunsetsand their bathrooms are simple and small, done up in green marble with single sinks.

The luxury rooms in the older buildings are much more atmospheric with lovely furnishings, old painted antiques, Venetian fabric curtains and velveteen easy chairs. Bathrooms are done up in flowery tiles, Pensione-style.

Elizabeth Taylor is said to have spent at least two of her honeymoons in this luxury hotel. Presumably she had the Doge's Suite, which is in another league altogether. When we come to write the book of suites and magnificent rooms, this one will be near the top of the list. At just four times the price of a regular lagoon view room, it's a bargain.