Sep 24, 2018, 12:02 pm
Last edit by: bhrubin
Hotel email address: [email protected]
Concierge: [email protected] om
Directions on how to reach hotel from airport, train station, or elsewhere in Venice: https://www.marriott.com/hotelwebsites/us/v/vcegl/vcegl_pdfs/How_to_arrive_The_Gritti_Palace.pdf
Closest waterbus stop to hotel: Santa Maria del Giglio pier Directions
Expert Review (posted to Luxury Forum) from Oct 2016:
https://www.flyertalk.com/hotel-revi...e-upgrade-1632
Concierge: [email protected] om
Directions on how to reach hotel from airport, train station, or elsewhere in Venice: https://www.marriott.com/hotelwebsites/us/v/vcegl/vcegl_pdfs/How_to_arrive_The_Gritti_Palace.pdf
Closest waterbus stop to hotel: Santa Maria del Giglio pier Directions
Expert Review (posted to Luxury Forum) from Oct 2016:
https://www.flyertalk.com/hotel-revi...e-upgrade-1632
Gritti Palace, Venice, Italy (Post 2013 renovation) [Master Thread]
Jun 28, 2019, 1:33 pm
#271
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: La Jolla, CA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, Lifetime Titanium, Delta Plat, Hilton Diamond , Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,615
I was there three weeks ago and did not get an upgrade. I had the room I booked, an entry level room booked with points. I am titanium, and have enjoyed very nice upgrades in the past, including to the Rushkin Suite. On this trip, the hotel was completely sold out. I had been in touch with the hotel in advance to make arrangements for the water taxi and more. I had been advised at that time that an upgrade would not be possible. I checked daily in the week before my stay. At first, I saw a number of rooms that were superior. But as the week went by, there were fewer and fewer superior rooms til on the day there was nothing. It truly was a sellout. It is quite different to be in the entry level room. Of course the hotel experience is very special with the beautiful public areas and breakfast on the deck watching all the Grand Canal traffic go by. Concierge service is impeccable. But we did not enjoy the room. It was a bed, a desk, and a not so comfortable chair.
We are planning to try the Gritti again next year. We will be there off season and we plan to apply SNAs. I am also Ambassador status now. I keep reading reports of amazing upgrades from other Ambassador guests and I suppose we will risk it. But it makes me nervous to know we could get stuck in an entry level room (we are planning to travel on points) The greatest loss to me from SPG legacy is the ability to book Specialty Select rooms on points at time of booking, which guaranteed at minimum a Junior Suite or higher if no further upgrades were available at check in.
Jun 28, 2019, 10:52 pm
#272
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 188
I gather you have booked your stay before the rate went up to 85K. Did the hotel say anything at check in, or check out, about the point level difference?
Some hotels that went up in categories tried to tell the guests they have to pay the difference or worse, after they check out, refunded the points and charged the guests' cards for the cash rates... This seems to always happen each year when categories changed - often due to the hotels not understanding how system work, or the accounting dept personnel saw the points they were getting, were less than the current points they would get...
Just wonder if Gritti is handling the pre change bookings in correct manner.
Some hotels that went up in categories tried to tell the guests they have to pay the difference or worse, after they check out, refunded the points and charged the guests' cards for the cash rates... This seems to always happen each year when categories changed - often due to the hotels not understanding how system work, or the accounting dept personnel saw the points they were getting, were less than the current points they would get...
Just wonder if Gritti is handling the pre change bookings in correct manner.
Jun 29, 2019, 4:24 pm
#273
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,762
nope, there was no mention of the points difference at all, and nothing else that they tried to charge us, besides the food we consumed and the Riva Yacht we rented. The check in was very professional, and she did what she could to upgrade our room despite being very busy.
We have 2 consecutive nights booked individually in 3rd week of Sept - had to do 2 bookings due to the available rooms were of different types. We have been in Venice a few times in the past and originally not planning to stay in Venice but it is a good starting point for a drive on the Italian Adriatic Coast (down to Pulglia region - the Heel of the Boot), so we finally decided to spend 2 nights before driving south. But due to my hesitation, when I finally went to book, the previously abandon availability had dwindled a lot... Gritti was not available on the day we would return to Venice. We booked Danieli instead. When I initially tinkered the idea of using Venice the availability at Gritti was wide-open. But I am not those who would book first then cancel later if not needed, meanwhile taking away the inventory...
Was the Riva Yacht a crewed one or a bare boat, i.e. let you sail by yourself? I assume it is a crewed one.
Last edited by Happy; Jun 29, 2019 at 4:31 pm
Jun 29, 2019, 4:35 pm
#274
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,762
As for the increase in points for awards, the simple solution is to call Bonvoy fka MR and ask for an adjustment. They will credit your account with the difference in points and then pay for the stay at the increased rate. The hotel only sees the prepaid night so no need for a discussion.
Jun 30, 2019, 7:41 am
#275
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: MD/DC
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, TK Gold
Posts: 1,536
Checked yesterday for 5 nights on points. Booked Venetian room. Got a Venetian room. The hotel was indeed sold out yesterday. There are upgraded rooms for the rest of the stay and I’ve mentioned I have no problem to move but that did not go very far.
Otherwise, stellar stay so far.
Otherwise, stellar stay so far.
Last edited by MD/DC Flyer; Jun 30, 2019 at 7:47 am
Jul 2, 2019, 8:35 pm
#276
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 188
Thanks a lot for the info.
We have 2 consecutive nights booked individually in 3rd week of Sept - had to do 2 bookings due to the available rooms were of different types. We have been in Venice a few times in the past and originally not planning to stay in Venice but it is a good starting point for a drive on the Italian Adriatic Coast (down to Pulglia region - the Heel of the Boot), so we finally decided to spend 2 nights before driving south. But due to my hesitation, when I finally went to book, the previously abandon availability had dwindled a lot... Gritti was not available on the day we would return to Venice. We booked Danieli instead. When I initially tinkered the idea of using Venice the availability at Gritti was wide-open. But I am not those who would book first then cancel later if not needed, meanwhile taking away the inventory...
Was the Riva Yacht a crewed one or a bare boat, i.e. let you sail by yourself? I assume it is a crewed one.
We have 2 consecutive nights booked individually in 3rd week of Sept - had to do 2 bookings due to the available rooms were of different types. We have been in Venice a few times in the past and originally not planning to stay in Venice but it is a good starting point for a drive on the Italian Adriatic Coast (down to Pulglia region - the Heel of the Boot), so we finally decided to spend 2 nights before driving south. But due to my hesitation, when I finally went to book, the previously abandon availability had dwindled a lot... Gritti was not available on the day we would return to Venice. We booked Danieli instead. When I initially tinkered the idea of using Venice the availability at Gritti was wide-open. But I am not those who would book first then cancel later if not needed, meanwhile taking away the inventory...
Was the Riva Yacht a crewed one or a bare boat, i.e. let you sail by yourself? I assume it is a crewed one.
Jul 2, 2019, 8:37 pm
#277
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 188
My understanding is, this is only needed if the booking is a PA so you need to call Bonvoy to have CS to do exactly what you have said. For bookings already paid for with the old rate before change, you do not need to do that, though some hotels would get confused. I am glad to learn from jdj84 that Gritti handled it the way it should have been, assuming his booking was paid for at the 60K level before the level going up.
Aug 17, 2019, 7:50 am
#279
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: NYC
Posts: 170
We're arriving for a few nights stay on 8/29 from VCE. I wanted to book advance tickets for a private water taxi to the hotel but not directly through The Gritti as to avoid their large surcharge. I have looked at the two recommended places to book, Venezia taxi and motoscafivenezia. However, when I put in our date it says Transfer date Sorry, but due to public events you can not choose this date. Not certain what these public events entail. Will I need to wait until we arrive at VCE and purchase at the airport and due to public events will this be an issue? I was hoping to avoid this step but will do so if necessary.
I would be very grateful for any advice from the experts or someone who has come across this issue.
I would be very grateful for any advice from the experts or someone who has come across this issue.
Aug 17, 2019, 8:00 am
#280
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum (3MM), QF Lifetime Gold, Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum, Ex-Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 7,541
We're arriving for a few nights stay on 8/29 from VCE. I wanted to book advance tickets for a private water taxi to the hotel but not directly through The Gritti as to avoid their large surcharge. I have looked at the two recommended places to book, Venezia taxi and motoscafivenezia. However, when I put in our date it says Transfer date Sorry, but due to public events you can not choose this date. Not certain what these public events entail. Will I need to wait until we arrive at VCE and purchase at the airport and due to public events will this be an issue? I was hoping to avoid this step but will do so if necessary.
I would be very grateful for any advice from the experts or someone who has come across this issue.
I would be very grateful for any advice from the experts or someone who has come across this issue.
Aug 17, 2019, 8:17 am
#281
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: NYC
Posts: 170
We've never been to VCE. I tried researching this but all the posts were a bit dated. I am hoping they are all equally reliable or is there one specific area to book these?
But I'm happy to hear that it will be easy to just get one at the airport.
Aug 17, 2019, 8:27 am
#282
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum (3MM), QF Lifetime Gold, Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum, Ex-Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 7,541
Lots of water taxis queue up at the airport for private (or shared) rides to Venice. No lines (more taxis than people). No need to prebook. Great way to arrive and see the city. Ask driver to take the scenic way.
Aug 17, 2019, 8:30 am
#283
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: NYC
Posts: 170
So, I then just go outside the airport and directly to the water taxis? Do they take.credit cards or must I pay with Euros?
Aug 17, 2019, 8:32 am
#284
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Somewhere between SFO and LAX...FYI aka FAT
Programs: BAEC - back to lowly blue. Marriott - Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 466
Last year we used VeniceLink to book a water taxi in advance. They also have a meet and greet option to drive you to the port. Here's a link:
https://www.venicelink.com/en/products/watertaxi
https://www.venicelink.com/en/products/watertaxi
Aug 17, 2019, 8:47 am
#285
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: NYC
Posts: 170
Last year we used VeniceLink to book a water taxi in advance. They also have a meet and greet option to drive you to the port. Here's a link:
https://www.venicelink.com/en/products/watertaxi
https://www.venicelink.com/en/products/watertaxi