24-Hour Room Service: Hotel Danieli, Venice

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Hotel Danieli, Venice

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The coral exterior of this 14th-century palace gives a small hint of what awaits behind. The hotel is the former residence of Doge Dandolo and the interior is a marvel of Byzantine Venetian opulence. Minimalists should probably steer clear. The main feature is a towering central atrium with a sweeping marble staircase, set off to spectacular effect by pink marble floors, intricate chandeliers, antiques, silk wall hangings, palms and elaborate stucco work.

One of the most magnificent of all the Venetian palazzi, the hotel has been called home by no fewer than four Doges. It changed hands among many prominent Venetian families, until 1822 when the palace was rented by one Giuseppe Dal Niel, converted into a hotel and given his nickname "Danieli".

The original building is now joined by the Casa Nuova palazzo, and an ungainly 1948 extension, the Danielino. The three buildings are linked by covered flying walkways, one of which is often photographed instead of the nearby Bridge of Sighs by tourists who haven't read their guidebooks properly. The roll-call of guests is as illustrious as its glittering marble interior: George Sand, Marcel Proust, Sophia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida and Federico Fellini.

Location, location, location

The Danieli occupies a magnificent one, overlooking the lagoon and the Palladio-designed church on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore.

Riva degli Schiavoni 4196, Venice, (00 39 041 522 6480, www.luxurycollection.com)

Time to international airport: Marco Polo airport is an hour by water bus (alilaguna). Single fares cost about £6. The hotel also has its own launch (around £50 one way).

Are you lying confortably?

Fit for a Doge, naturally. There are 192 double rooms, 29 single rooms and 12 suites – all with air-conditioning. Rooms are all decorated differently, ours was golden hued and furnished with Murano chandeliers, parquet flooring and Imperial-style antiques. Bathrooms are pink or lagoon-green marble throughout. Don't feel short-changed by not having a lagoon view – many rooms have enchanting views of the small canals down the sides of the buildings. One of the jewels in the Danieli's crown is the Terrace restaurant. Here you can survey the entire lagoon, canal and neighbouring islands. There is also a bar in the main hall serving evening cocktails.

Freebies: Toiletries, sweets, fruit and – mid-March to mid-November – guests have free access to the swimming pool and private beach of the Hotel Des Bains on the Lido.

Keeping in touch: The usual satellite TV, telephones and business facilities befitting a hotel of this stature.

The bottom line

Doubles start from €565 (£396).

I'm not paying that: The Hotel Locanda Fiorita (00 39 041 523 4754, www.locandafiorita.com) situated nearby, offers doubles from €98 (£60).