Eric L.
Yelp
For a hotel close to the best accommodations in Venice, this Westin Europa falls below expectations. Almost everything from accommodations to service was a notch off for a 4 star or SPG category 5/6 hotel. The best part is location, very close top great restaurants and shopping, so for first timers to Venice (which we are not), this is great.
Starwood recogniIton is lacking, I asked about upgrade availability but did not get one. Still happy from the water taxi transfer arrival in style, I didn't mind. I got the room I booked for, I inquired about upgrade and canal view, not neither. Except when I came down later to ask a question, the same front desk staff (Alessandro) checked in another guest who also booked the same accommodation level, but was upgraded to a higher level suite. I overheard their glee and surprise for the upgrade, don't even think he was Starwood member. I am sure the hotel would give some room availability reason, but this difference in treatment makes me uneasy, no matter, I can ignore this discriminatory treatment and have a good time anyway. No thanks to Alessandro.
Room itself was fine, but was a handicap access room for non handicapped people, so the shower to fit a wheel chair and no curtain was strange for the kids to use. The guaranteed canal view was a joke, there are buildings flanking each side so there is a tunnel vision view of the canal, yes you can see the water but that's it, no panoramic view across the canal, which is really the point isn't it? So here Alessandro let us down again, I asked for canal view, he says we have partial canal view, boy I didn't expect partial to be myopic tunnel vision. But we already unpacked and I am with the family, so didn't want to dampen their fun.
Room service itself was fine, expect glasses are dirty, barely rinsed out so I can see how dirty they are. Definitely nothing from staff that goes beyond new shampoo and towels. Having just come from St Regis from our last city during this trip, where we got surprise presents every night, this no frills indifferent service and lack of unpgrades stands in stark contrast, this place falls below expectations.
For a city like Venice, where it's history and art are magical, this hotel definitely is not memorable in a good way. From lobby to rooms, this hotel looks,
smells, and feels worn out. We will not be back and would not recommend to a friend.
If you need a place to sleep and shower, park your luggage and spend all day out, this place works. If you are coming for a special occasion, want some pampering and be treated first class, look to Luna Baglioni or Gritti. The Westin Europa barely earns its 4 stars. Which is too bad.