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By N. A. Ross
Hotel Gritti Palace
Campo Santa Maria del Giglio Venice I-30124
Italy
Phone (39)(041) 794611
Fax (39)(041) 5200942
 In the 16th century, Hotel Gritti Palace, was the home of Doge Andrea Gritti. It is now a Venetian hotel that has hosted kings and queens, heads of state and literary and artistic giants.
Today, its is one of most prestigious addresses in La Serenissima. It’s a true palace, where nobility blends with the practicality of modern times to offer the same incomparable elegance of yesteryear in a patrician dwelling with precious carpets and Venetian antiques, VCRs and luxury bath amenities. Centrally located, it is just 300 meters from Piazza San Marco, 100 meters from La Fenice Theater, or 200 meters from the Guggenheim Museum.
 The public areas are tastefully appointed with damask and stuccowork; the windows open onto the Grand Canal or the Campo Santa Maria del Giglio. Murano glass, ornate Venetian mirrors, period paintings and hand-gilded furniture can be found in every room and suite. The Suite del Doge, has a balcony overlooking the Grand Canal and is furnished in green and purple, the colors of the ancient republic.
 The restaurant Club del Doge, has outside tables on the Grand Canal in the summer, where your gondolieri will drop you off for lunch or diner. Serving Mediterranean cuisine, the food is based on the executive chef’s famous recipes that utilize local ingredients, as well as traditional Venetian specialties. It also has one of the best wine cellars in the city, with emphasis on top wines from the Veneto, as well as gran cru French bottles.
Bar Longhi, open till midnight, is one of Venice’s most impressive meeting places, where international celebrities rub elbows with leading political figures and local artists.
However, during a recent visit, I found certain situations in the hotel, not consistent with a five star property. I understand that the waters of the Grand Canal are not the cleanest in the world, but there is no excuse for musty odors in some of the public areas and some of the rooms. In addition, the public areas look tired and are in need of a coat of fresh paint. And, the food at the Club del Doge, was not as good as in previous visits; as expensive and more, but not as delicious.
For further on “la bella Venecia”, please look into the Destinations segment, Venice.
© December 2002. All rights reserved.
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