Danieli, A Four Seasons Hotel 

We have stayed here on a few occasions over the years, although we no longer do so as we prefer modern, new, state of the art luxury suites. However, we never visit Venice without booking to dine at their superb rooftop restaurant, which is particularly good for breakfasts on Sunday mornings to enjoy the cacophony of church bells along with the glorious views. We also have to visit their fabulous cocktail bar on the ground floor next to the gorgeous main staircase. The waiters are simply terrific, the barmen are the best. We always start with champagne cocktails and they simply cannot be bettered. The nibbles that arrive with cocktails are lovely and the icing on the cake is the exceptional pianist/vocalist. Sometimes during busy periods, those enjoying cocktails are spread out outside of the Bar area in all of the other seating covering the immense, grand, glorious and most beautiful ground floor area. When this happens, the atmosphere is simply incredible. This is one of our favourite bars in the world and by coincidence our second most favourite bar is only a short walk away, Harry’s Bar. If you wanted to taste a stay surrounded by grand elegance from yesteryear this is THE hotel to experience. Especially waking up to the views and then going onto the roof for breakfast. Even if you were not staying, a visit to the cocktail bar is an absolute must, no reservation required. While you are there, evil want to get your photograph taken on the stair staircase next to the bar.