Hotel Europa and Regina Venice from Travel Intelligence
Heavily
Westinised Venetian stalwart with a few Grand Canal views
Address:
San Marco
2159,
30124 Venice,
Italy
Telephone:
+39 41 520
0477
Fax:
+39 (0)41 523
3043
Rooms:
185 rooms
Reviews
Jamie Dunford Wood:
Five private houses from the 16th and 17th centuries have linked together to
make this 185 room century-old hotel on the Grand Canal. The problem with it is
that there are only 20 rooms actually facing the canal, and the other problem is
that the rooms have been thoroughly Westin-ised (they call themselves the Westin
Europa and Regina) - such homogeneity seeming rather out of kilter with what
Venice is all about, and the fact that the rooms come in every shape and size
imaginable. The prints on the wall are job-lot and so is the furniture, again a
great shame for a city so rich in antiques of both. Colour schemes are blue
(Regina and Tiepolo wings) and pale green (Canova, Europa and Barozzi).
Corridors are bright and fresh smelling, another surprise for Venice.
Downstairs the common parts are
ornate and impressive, with marbles in a variety of colours, a dark sumptuous
bar, a quiet garden for eating out and a terrace overlooking the entrance to the
Grand Canal. The cruise ship guests get lost in the small, interconnecting
spaces, not to mention the tiny elevators, which helps maintain a discreet
atmosphere. This is a hotel for those visitors, probably first time, for whom
the crumbling decay of Venice is rather frightening, and who are reassured by
the comforting homogeneity of the Westin brand, overlaid on chaotic Venetian
living arrangements. For the rest, it's a wasted opportunity.
Matthew Barker:
On the banks of the Grand
Canal, the white marble façade was once actually five separate 18th century
houses, one of which was home to Tiepolo. Wonderfully swish interiors with old
school service and a worthy alternative to the rather precious Gritti for those
wanting a classic canal side view (and much more convenient than the rather
secluded Cipriani). 185 rooms (17 suites).
La Cuisna restaurant holds it own in a city that basks in belt-loosening gastro
glory. The Tiepolo cocktail bar has its own terrace overlooking the Bacino di
San Marco, or there's always Harry's Bar just across the way. Boats specially
laid on to take you to tennis courts, golf courses, a private beach on the Lido
and, in the summer months, windsurfing and sailing. Bulgari in the bathroom.
Streets flooded, please advise. The hotel stands opposite the church of Santa
Maria della Salute and St Marks Square is just on the doorstep, but the more
adventurous should take a boat to Giudecca and have a poke around the real city.
Elsewhere expresso and an orchestra at Caffe Florian on St Marks Square; pizza
at Da Crecola; ice cream at Boutique del Gelato.
Durant
& Cheryl Imboden's 
Heavily
Westinised Venetian stalwart with a few Grand Canal views
Downstairs the common parts are
ornate and impressive, with marbles in a variety of colours, a dark sumptuous
bar, a quiet garden for eating out and a terrace overlooking the entrance to the
Grand Canal. The cruise ship guests get lost in the small, interconnecting
spaces, not to mention the tiny elevators, which helps maintain a discreet
atmosphere. This is a hotel for those visitors, probably first time, for whom
the crumbling decay of Venice is rather frightening, and who are reassured by
the comforting homogeneity of the Westin brand, overlaid on chaotic Venetian
living arrangements. For the rest, it's a wasted opportunity. 