This is my update based upon my stay there this past week/two which overlapped with Carnaval:

A few broad comments on above items:
*) Having spent the past 10 days in Italian hotels, I would have to agree that most staff at all levels are "colder" than the equivalent staff in US establishments. However, they are much more responsive and plentiful; someone everywhere you look. The Danieli is no exception.
*) A water taxi ride from the Venice train station to the Danieli will run you between 45- 65 Euros. Depends on who you get, time of day, and bargaining; no rhyme or reason that I could figure out.
*) The Starwood’s in Italy (and UK at least), appear to be much better at providing room upgrades for PLAT’s than here in the US. Of course, this is my experience at this time.

And the Danieli:
*) The Danieli is comprised of three(3) separate buildings. The original building, whose exterior is pinkish and which is seen in all those photos, is located in the center. This houses the grand entrance, the concierge desk, the cashier, the bar, the private water taxi dock, and access to the other two “wings” and roof top restaurant. According to the above posts, this building contains mostly suites. I can’t comment as my room was not located here. It appears to have four floors not all of which probably have rooms.
*) The newest building, which when viewed from the Grand Canal is that to the left (West I believe), is white in color. I did not have a room there, so I cannot comment on it. It also appears to be four floors.
*) The other white building is the to the right (West?) of the “main” building when viewed from the outside, and is the “middle” oldest. A bridge connects the main building to this wing on about floor 1.5 . This building has four floors. Each floor appears to have two corner/Grand Canal front rooms and two other “middle of the hallway” Grand Canal facing rooms, as well as other rooms. My room was on floor four, and was #283 ( a “middle/Grand Canal” facing room).
*) Like other Italian hotels, it has the god-awful “flobie” type hairdryers. If hair is a high-maintenance item for you or your family, bring your own blower.

Room #283:
*) It was a non-smoking room with a large bedroom/sitting area, and an entrance way that had two doorways: one to the bathroom, and one to a walk-in closet type room. I would not call this a suite. Rooms #281 and #284 (the two corner rooms) appeared to be suites, while #282 appeared to be the smallest (by far).
*) I could throw a croissant from either of the windows and get it in the Grand Canal. Pretty fantastic.
*) As a PLAT, the check-in desk manager walked us to the room, iced champagne was waiting, and my name appeared on the TV with a welcome note.
*) Two small single/doubles (not sure what they were) beds had been pushed together to make the queen/king. I later learned from experience that this is a common practice across the U.K. and Italy. Don’t be surprised.
*) Because of Carnaval, there was NOISE outside 24 hours a day. Even the night after Carnaval had ended, some noise crossed the windows and kept us awake. My comment on this: if this is your first trip to Venice and it may be your only trip, try for the Grand Canal views as its like being in Disneyland (or your personal equiv.). If sleep is important to you, and you’ve been here/are coming back, get a room of the front of the building.

So, in summary:
*) Ask for the original or older building(s), request a Grand Canal room on the 4th floor, request a corner room, and it can be a non-smoking reservation.

- Dan