UPDATE:
I've decided to redeem SPG points for at least part of this stay (I'd be crazy not to at these prices!) so I'm now deciding between the Giglio Prestige Room and the lower tier Venetian Room at the Gritti. I'm a bit confused by what I see online:
http://www.thegrittipalace.com/en/rooms
The Giglio Prestige Rooms are both priced higher, and one category above the Venetian Rooms, however the Giglio Prestige Rooms require less points for redemption than the Venetians, oddly enough. Perhaps there are fewer Venetian Rooms available for booking? I suppose I shouldn't complain eitherway.
My next point of confusion comes from the rooms themselves. To my eyes, the Venetian Rooms seem to be much more opulent and ornate in decor and furnishing. They seem to reflect the romance of classical antiquity and Venetian grandeur moreso than the Giglio Prestige Rooms; at least from the photos displayed on the Gritti website. The description indicates that the rooms "exude a historic richness and individual personalities that transport occupants back in time" and they do seem to capture the feel of 18th C. aristocracy and seem well suited to a historic palazzo. The Giglio Prestige Rooms on the other hand, while still lovely, appear to be more generic looking and somewhat understated (not quite as lavish) in comparisson. They boast views of the Piazza San Marco however. What I'd like to know is... are the Giglio Prestige Room sold at a higher room category and price based solely on the views and size? Has anyone stayed in a Venetian Room and did it feel tiny/cramped? Given the choice and at equal (possibly less) points redemption, would you opt for the G.Prestige Room?
Lastly, since we are looking to spend a full 10 nights in Venice, our SPG points may not cover the full stay in which case, I have another decision to make. I may pay for a Grand Canal Room at the Gritti through my corporate acct. (not much of a discount but still better than nothing!) or Virtuoso TA for the remaining few nights... OR... I may switch to the Ca' Segrado and reserve the Library Suite for the remaining few nights. The difference in cost is relative.
My one concern about the Gritti is it's location. Since we'll be in Venice late October, I assume the San Marco won't be a complete tourist zoo and that our hotel will be relatively quiet, however I wonder if the experience of staying further away at the Ca'Sagredo might offer a more "authentic" (ie. less touristy) perspective of the city, which I think might be more enjoyable to us. It's difficult to decide...
We're definitely staying at the Gritti for as much as we can redeem on points; very likely most of our trip. What to do for the last couple of nights though... Remain at the Gritti in a higher room category with canal views or transfer to the Ca'Sagredo?
On a seperate note, we do receive a complimentary night at the Cipriani since we're booked on the Venice-Simplon Orient Express. I don't know the exact details of how this works, but I'm not really interested in this property at all and I may even inquire as to whether I can register the booking in another name and let friends take our place. If we do end up switching between the Gritti and Ca'Sagredo, then there's definitely no way I'll switch between 3 hotels in 10 nights. That doesn't sound fun. If we end up at the Gritti the entire time I may consider it, if it's indeed 100% complimentary as I was told by Belmond... we'll see!
PS - How bad are the mosquitoes in the second half of October? Are they a problem at either of these hotels?