Venice, Italy - Westin Europa & Regina

Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute on the Grand Canal

I spent last weekend in Venice for the nuptials of my dear friends, Federico and Cecilia. As the wedding reception and dinner was held outside on the Grand Canal at the Westin Europa & Regina hotel, many guests, including myself, chose to stay at the same property. I had a lovely, extremely spacious room (#612), and the best feature, by far, was the absolutely enormous terrace overlooking both the Grand Canal and the famous church of Santa Maria della Salute. The hotel is only a five minute walk to St. Mark's Square, yet secluded enough to feel sufficiently at a distance from the tourist crowds. Having a dock right on the canal made taking water taxis, as well as the free hotel shuttle to the famous Excelsior hotel on the island of Lido, very easy. 

Room 612

The enormous terrace of my hotel room

View from my hotel room terrace overlooking Venice

View from my hotel room terrace overlooking Venice
Two dressing areas and the bathroom (below)

Breakfast in the morning takes place in a stunning setting overlooking the Grand Canal and the buffet is abundant: eggs, bacon, sausage, cold cuts, cheeses, croissants and homemade baked pastries, cereals, breads, fresh fruit, even champagne and smoothies. Sipping your morning cappuccino while a gondolier rows by singing "O Sole Mio" almost makes you want to pinch yourself. 

Morning breakfast

Breakfast tables in front of the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute

My overall experience at the Westin Europa and Regina was a good one, though I have to admit that there are other properties in Venice that I have stayed at and prefer:  Hotel Bauer and Luna Hotel Baglioni. My pros and cons of this hotel are the following:

Pros

• Room size and amazing terrace
• Location on the Grand Canal
• Great bar for drinks with outdoor space too
• Ample morning breakfast selection
• Free private shuttle to the island of Lido
• Friendliness of cleaning staff (I wanted to take that Signora home with me!)
• Complimentary bottle of Veuve Clicquot from the hotel manager  

Cons

• The front desk and concierge always had lines and they seemed overwhelmed. They could have been much friendlier/accommodating as well. I call the concierge dozens of times when I am at a hotel and hate when I am made to feel like an inconvenience or rushed off the phone.
• It took the hotel two days to communicate to the maid service that my hotel room category should have been stocked with luxury Etro bath products instead of the generic ones.
• The bathroom had a bit of an odor
• The birds picking at crumbs on neighboring dining tables at breakfast are unmerciful!