Venice with children - Gritti or Cipriani?
Oct 8, 2015, 11:42 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: MEL
Programs: QF CL
Posts: 689
Venice with children - Gritti or Cipriani?
Venice may be a terrible tourist trap these days but nonetheless one's first visit to the city should be special, befitting its iconic status.
Which would you choose if you had two boys under ten who have never been to Venice before: the relatively more child friendly outdoor amenities of the Cipriani or the exciting Grand Canal location of the Gritti?
Or somewhere else?
Which would you choose if you had two boys under ten who have never been to Venice before: the relatively more child friendly outdoor amenities of the Cipriani or the exciting Grand Canal location of the Gritti?
Or somewhere else?
Oct 9, 2015, 3:17 am
#2
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: London
Posts: 3,439
I would stay at the Gritti - they will absolutely love all the activity outside their window and just being able to to walk out to everything. We first stayed when one of our boys was under 10 and I know he absolutely loved it. You can have a swimming pool anywhere - even if it is the biggest in Venice.
On the other hand if George Clooney is staying ( I know he's married but you never know!) Mrs Baghoarder may prefer the Cipriani
.
On the other hand if George Clooney is staying ( I know he's married but you never know!) Mrs Baghoarder may prefer the Cipriani
.
Oct 9, 2015, 7:05 am
#4
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,108
They're entirely different properties which are not even remotely comparable; in style or cost. It should be an easy decision based on the type of traveler that you are. One is a modern (1960s?) resort hotel on a private island that inaccessible to the city except by boat. It's sprawling and teeming with guests. The other is a conveniently situated boutique hotel in an opulent centuries old palazzo with a more restricted capacity; i.e. far less crowded. If traveling with kids and you place a higher value on resort amenities like swimming pool, tennis courts, fitness center, etc. then the Cipriani is the way to go. Personally, you can find that in any city; I'd value the things which make Venice unique. Then again, were booked at the Gritti for 10 nights next fall in a Giglio Prestige room. I purposefully booked late in the season, during a slower tourism period, because we have some status with Starwood and I'm really hoping for an upgrade to a Grand Canal Room with a bit of added persuasion from our Virtuoso rep. I think the fact that we're staying for so many nights might also work in our favor.
Oct 9, 2015, 10:40 am
#7
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
While aspects of the JW Marriott like the swimming pool look appealing, I don't think I could ever bring myself to stay there or at similar properties like the St. Regis. Those properties look like they could be good for business functions or large events, but they don't appeal to me as a leisure traveller.
Oct 9, 2015, 10:51 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
82 room gritti
http://www.belmond.com/hotel-ciprian...cation_and_map
"complimentary 24-hour boat service..Piazzetta San Marco"
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Oct 9, 2015 at 12:20 pm
Oct 9, 2015, 11:16 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,871
Did JW with a 7 and 4 year old in August.
Plus - kids loved boat trip to island, lots of outdoor space, rooftop pool is very shallow so great for kids (bad for adults as full of kids), decent breakfast buffet
Negatives - kids club has been closed down to create more meeting space, outdoor pool is the biggest joke ever (you have a whole island and you build a teeny tiny pool?), kids playground is worse than most parents have in their gardens
Plus - kids loved boat trip to island, lots of outdoor space, rooftop pool is very shallow so great for kids (bad for adults as full of kids), decent breakfast buffet
Negatives - kids club has been closed down to create more meeting space, outdoor pool is the biggest joke ever (you have a whole island and you build a teeny tiny pool?), kids playground is worse than most parents have in their gardens
Oct 9, 2015, 11:43 am
#10
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,108
Surely more day guests at the Cipriani? From all reports I've heard that it feels a lot more crowded but that might also be the layout of public space, whereas the Gritti is a smaller property which exudes a more intimate feel, presumably. Eitherway, the fact that the Cipriani is isolated on it's own island would rule it out for me, as the beauty of Venice is found wandering her narrow streets and maze-like alleys in the early morning and late night hours.
Oct 9, 2015, 2:28 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: MEL
Programs: QF CL
Posts: 689
I would stay at the Gritti - they will absolutely love all the activity outside their window and just being able to to walk out to everything. We first stayed when one of our boys was under 10 and I know he absolutely loved it. You can have a swimming pool anywhere - even if it is the biggest in Venice.
On the other hand if George Clooney is staying ( I know he's married but you never know!) Mrs Baghoarder may prefer the Cipriani.
On the other hand if George Clooney is staying ( I know he's married but you never know!) Mrs Baghoarder may prefer the Cipriani
.
. But Mr Baghoarder loves the Cip too!
Oct 9, 2015, 3:56 pm
#13
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,825
I would veto the Marriott just based upon location, if your intention is to have your children experience Venice!
I would also pass on the Gritti though, in your situation.
Our stay last summer was in a beautiful, modern, well located apartment (Dorsoduro). Close to everything by vaporetto or walking. Great restaurants all around. Shopped upon arrival so we has some basics on hand when we were relaxing in the apartment (and breakfasts).
Of course, our styles may differ, in which case your kids may prefer the wonderful elements of the Gritti.
For us though, the location, the large (2 BR) space, and having our own 'home' better met our needs.
We did not find Venice to be too tourist overrun either, although there were plenty.
Find a good guide for a cicchetti tour, a food tour, or to walk the sites. A good guide (for us) was very helpful in showing us more of the city.
Cooking with Enrica Rocca (after you go to the market to buy your food) is highly recommended as well! If your kids would go for that kind of thing.
I would also pass on the Gritti though, in your situation.
Our stay last summer was in a beautiful, modern, well located apartment (Dorsoduro). Close to everything by vaporetto or walking. Great restaurants all around. Shopped upon arrival so we has some basics on hand when we were relaxing in the apartment (and breakfasts).
Of course, our styles may differ, in which case your kids may prefer the wonderful elements of the Gritti.
For us though, the location, the large (2 BR) space, and having our own 'home' better met our needs.
We did not find Venice to be too tourist overrun either, although there were plenty.
Find a good guide for a cicchetti tour, a food tour, or to walk the sites. A good guide (for us) was very helpful in showing us more of the city.
Cooking with Enrica Rocca (after you go to the market to buy your food) is highly recommended as well! If your kids would go for that kind of thing.
Oct 9, 2015, 5:17 pm
#15
Join Date: Jun 2013
Programs: UA 1/MM SPG gold, CEO: Grandmother of 4
Posts: 557
Venice may be a terrible tourist trap these days but nonetheless one's first visit to the city should be special, befitting its iconic status.
Which would you choose if you had two boys under ten who have never been to Venice before: the relatively more child friendly outdoor amenities of the Cipriani or the exciting Grand Canal location of the Gritti?
Or somewhere else?
Which would you choose if you had two boys under ten who have never been to Venice before: the relatively more child friendly outdoor amenities of the Cipriani or the exciting Grand Canal location of the Gritti?
Or somewhere else?
.