The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Venice

The accommodation impresses with a superb buffet breakfast and attentive service. Guests appreciate the elegant, spacious rooms and the convenient Grand Canal location. However, no disadvantages were mentioned.

Without question, The Gritti Palace is one of the finest hotels within Marriott’s vast portfolio. Only a few hotels across all Marriott properties worldwide rival The Gritti Palace. Outside Marriott and compared to other hotels in Venice, The Gritti is also arguably the finest hotel in Venice. It is a genuine 5-star luxury hotel. As a result, prices are very expensive. Over my stay, the rates varied between US$2,200 per night and US$10,000 per night, depending on the room type or suite. Needless to say, a guest has certain expectations when a hotel is charging that much money. Here is what The Gritti did well: 1. Concierge and Front Desk staff were excellent. In particular, the concierge staff are incredibly competent at organizing water taxis, tickets for attractions or tours, dinner reservations, etc. 2. The hotel provided a thoughtful in-room amenity. It also fulfilled basic preferences that were specified on the reservation. 3. Major newspapers, like The New York Times and Financial Times, are complimentary to guests. 4. Stationery and envelopes are provided for guests to write a letter home. The hotel also mails the letters free of charge. 5. The hotel’s public spaces are beautiful. The décor is exactly what you would expect for a 5-star hotel in a building that dates to the 15th century. 6. Marriott Bonvoy benefits were delivered. Specifically: (a) Suite upgrade. I was upgraded from a standard room to one of their best, if not their best, suites, the Patron Suite. It had a beautiful view of the Grand Canal. However, if I were given a choice, I probably would have turned down the suite in favor of a non-suite with a comparable view. I will discuss this later. (b) Late check-out. I received a 4 p.m. late check-out. The hotel graciously allowed me to stay in the room free of charge until 6 p.m. That was most kind of them. (c) The breakfast benefit for guests with Bonvoy platinum or higher status is excellent, with one exception: wine at breakfast. At breakfast on a Saturday morning, I asked if they had wine. I was offered Italian prosecco. However, the prosecco is a little sweet. I asked if they had an alternative, like a Trento DOCG. I was provided with Italian franciacorta sparkling wine. Franciacorta is drier and more like champagne. So, I ordered it. While my breakfast was complimentary, I was charged 170 euros for the bottle of wine. The charge was removed after I complained. Still, it is the principle of the matter. Either inform the guest that the wine is not complimentary before it is served or provide more than one complimentary wine option at breakfast. Now, here is where I think The Gritti Palace needs improvement (especially given the prices charged): 1. Restaurants and bars. I was encouraged to have dinner at the hotel’s restaurant. I made a restaurant for the outside terrace. When I arrived for dinner, the terrace was closed, and I was given a table at the back of the restaurant in what could only be described