I’ve just experienced the best hotel stay of my entire life.
SUPER GAY VACATION
My husband and I just took the gayest vacation of our lives. Three days in Madrid for World Gay Pride 2017, a night in Barcelona, a 10-day Club Atlantis gay Mediterranean cruise, and four nights in Venice. After being together for 26 years, a totally “gay” vacation was something new for us.
Needless to say it was lots of fun. We rode on a float in the Pride Parade in Madrid. For five hours, we travelled up the Paseo de la Castellana dancing to the beat of the float DJ with the cheers of three million spectators. The energy and excitement will be a lasting memory. Then ten days of a gay cruise with 2100 gay men, parties, and entertainment changed my view of what “taking a cruise” could be.
We anticipated that we would arrive in Venice exhausted after having such a “gay ol’ time”. Thus we decided to end our vacation enjoying the hospitality of the Gritti Palace. It was the best decision we could have made.
We were in Sonoma for New Years this past year, and long time friends of ours heard we were staying in Venice and introduced the idea of selecting the Gritti Palace. They said it’s the best property in the Starwood Hotels portfolio. It’s part of their Luxury Collection of hotels and lives up to the name.
With room rates starting at 1250 euros a night for a basic room, we decided to use some of our SPG points instead. Luckily they had availability and we were booked with just a few click on the SPG website.
CHECKING IN
The Gritti Palace is situated right on the Grand Canal just steps from St. Mark’s Square and was beautifully renovated in 2012. Both its formal restaurant, Club del Doge, and the Gritti Terrace are located on the edge of the Grand Canal giving lots of opportunity to view the boats, gondolas, water taxis, and vaporetto water buses.
We arrived around 11 a.m. expecting that our room was not going to be ready. We had booked a tour out to Moreno, Burano, and Torcello at 12:30 p.m. so we just wanted to drop off our bags. We sat at an elegant desk as the delightful receptionist processed our check-in. She was apologetic that the room they had selected for us was still occupied. But she said that she would be able to get us a late check-out at 4 p.m. on our departure. She mentioned that it was a very nice room. Or did she say “suite”. I wasn’t quite sure but didn’t want to ask her to repeat her comment. As an award stay, one never quite knows what kind of room one will get.
We returned from our tour just before 5 p.m. and the receptionist said our room was ready and escorted us up.
CITTA DI CORINTO SUITE
As we walked up to our door, we noticed it was named the Citta Di Corinto Suite and actually had two room numbers. That’s a GREAT indicator of an amazing experience ahead. She welcomed us in and we were stunned.
Citta Di Corinto Suite
Entry Hall
Guest bathroom off entry hall
As we walked down the front entry hall, we passed the beautiful marble Guest Bathroom and walked into the Living Room.
Living Room of the suite
Dining area in Living Room
Welcome prosecco and sliced fruit
Welcome note
Venetian glass sconces
Drinks with our visiting friends
An afternoon glass of wine
Another glass of wine
The Living Room was elegant and had Venetian glass sconces on every wall. There was a large seating area that could easily accommodate six people and a dining area for four people. On the table was a tray with prosecco and sliced fruit welcoming us.
She let us know that several of the still and sparkling water bottles in each room were complementary as were some of the snacks in jars. The water was constantly replaced throughout our visit.
Next she took us into the massive bedroom. I think it was double the size of our bedroom at our house. There was lots of closet space so none of our luggage had to live out in the room.
Bedroom
Nightstands
The bathroom was also palatial. Every surface was covered with beautiful marble. My husband and I love staying at hotels with two sinks instead of the usually one that we have at home. I noticed the nice bathtub but it wasn’t until later that I saw the large shower room off to the side. We could have invited six people to shower with us!
Main Bathroom
Sitting area and WC of Main Bathroom
After the receptionist left, we popped the prosecco and sat down in our living room. This was such a treat. After the small quarters on the cruise ship, this felt luxurious.
I’m a big fan of room service breakfast. So one morning we ordered up some food. I had my traditional meal of Eggs Benedict and Terry had pancakes with fruit. It was all delicious and served with outstanding coffee.
Room service breakfast in our suite
Eggs Benedict “at home”
The benefit of going downstairs for breakfast is that you sit in the Club del Doge Restaurant on the Grand Canal. Being on the water was nice but the restaurant was full of noisy children. Our son has travelled the world with us from an early age. He made his first trip to Africa at four months old. He has always received compliments from others on how well behaved he was. The children at breakfast failed to receive such compliments.
Morning coffee in the Club del Doge Restaurant
In the afternoon, we enjoyed sitting at the other outside restaurant, The Gritti Terrace, to enjoy a negroni or two. Even if you aren’t staying at the Gritti, it’s worth having a drink there to enjoy the experience.
Afternoon Negroni on the Gritti Terrace along the Grand Canal
Trying to walk off some of the extra cruise weight we picked up, we used the stairs more than the elevator at the Gritti. I loved seeing these unique sconces of a hand holding a lantern.
Sconces in the main stairwell
OVERALL
We were sad to pack up and say goodbye to the Gritti Palace. The staff was amazing. The food and drink matched the environment. And our room was the best I have ever stayed in.
It was a lovely ending to an amazing vacation. We left feeling relaxed and ready for the journey back to California.