Hotel Gabrielli, Venice | A Polished Venetian Stay
Hotel Gabrielli is a Venice hotel that offers a perspective on the city that few others can achieve. Combining a convenient location in the Castello district, about 10 minutes’ walk east of St Mark’s Square, with design, service and quality, this hotel intends to grab the imagination from the first to last moment.
The hotel reopened in August 2025 after a major restoration under Starhotels’ Collezione, returning one of Venice’s historic hospitality names to the lagoon-front. The property traces its history back to 1856, while the oldest heart of the hotel sits within the fourteenth-century Palazzo Gabrielli. That history is present today and gives the hotel a sense of rebirth, rather than simply making it feel like a new luxury hotel imposed on the city.
Its position on Riva degli Schiavoni is a key factor in the hotel’s allure, as it makes exploring the San Marco area easy, while still being far enough from the busiest areas to feel exclusive and removed. For those also visiting the Arsenale, Biennale Gardens or the quieter parts of Castello, the location is equally desirable.
This Edit looks at the experience of staying at Hotel Gabrielli in a Suite and all that the hotel has to offer. It is a hotel where the experience is strengthened by the restoration, considered design, service and the way the property provides guests with an escape in one of Italy’s most vibrant cities.
Who this Edit is for
Image: Exterior of Hotel Gabrielli, Venice. © 2026, Palates & Miles
This Edit is for those considering a Venice hotel that gives access to the main sights without being directly in the busiest parts of the city. It is especially relevant for travellers who want a restored historic property with strong views, detailed interiors and facilities that make the hotel feel like part of the itinerary, rather than simply a place to sleep.
It will also be useful for those planning a longer Venice itinerary where the hotel needs to provide a concrete base for exploring beyond the immediate San Marco area. Hotel Gabrielli can work for a first visit to Venice, a pre- or post-cruise stay, a Biennale-focused trip or a more relaxed break where the rooftop, spa, garden and dining spaces are all part of the experience.
The standard
Every recommendation in this Edit is assessed against the same five points: service, design, food and drink, atmosphere and value. Value is not about cheap or expensive. It is whether the experience earns the time and price invested.
Arrival and first impressions
Image: Water taxi across the lagoon. © 2026 Palates & Miles
Arriving in Venice by water taxi from Marco Polo Airport always brings a sense of occasion and novelty, no matter the time of day. For Hotel Gabrielli, this is particularly true, especially given the property has its own private water entrance. It is also about convenience, as navigating bridges and narrow streets with luggage immediately after arrival can be arduous.
Approaching the city across a lagoon at speed is something you cannot say you have done in many other cities. You experience the city’s inner canals before even setting foot on dry land and this creates the best first impression one could hope for when arriving in Venice. Depending on the route taken, you will most likely arrive from the lagoon, passing along Riva degli Schiavoni.
Once you arrive at the hotel’s water entrance, a porter will assist with welcoming you and arrange for luggage to be brought inside. A short corridor leads to reception, where a seated check-in experience awaits. Following the completion of check-in, you will be shown to your room or suite, bringing an extra level of service and detail to your first moments inside.
The Suite
Image: Suite bedroom. © 2026 Palates & Miles
This stay was in a Suite, which provided the right balance between comfort and Venetian design. The room was laid out across two separate sleeping and living areas, with a large bathroom and dressing room positioned between the two spaces. This is particularly useful in Venice, where returning to the room after a day exploring requires a pause before the changeover to evening begins.
The bedroom was well proportioned, with a large king-size bed, decorative artwork and two large windows, one with a small balcony overlooking the canal below. The design was not overly elaborate, but it was enough to invite you to unwind. Clear attention to detail were present, including Hotel Gabrielli embroidery on the bedsheets.
Suite bathroom. © 2026 Palates & Miles
The living area gave the Suite additional space and acted as an area for relaxing. Welcome amenities included a bottle of Veneto sparkling wine and chocolates, awaited on arrival. A sofa, armchair, coffee table, television and decorative console made the space flow well, with clever use of imagery and colours to represent the city outside. It was hard to forget where you were, especially during the day with the balcony doors open and the canal and private garden below.
The bathroom was one of the stronger parts of the Suite. It was finished in marble with a double vanity, bidet and double walk-in shower. This bathroom added a lot of space to the Suite and the clever design, with the shower concealed, added to the atmosphere. The use of marble made it a surprisingly warm space, while the concealed lighting invited clear attention to the detail of the stonework.
P&M note: Room and suite categories should be reviewed carefully before booking. Venice hotel rooms can vary significantly in size, layout and view, particularly in historic properties.
The spa and gym
For a central Venice hotel, the spa is small but by no means lesser for it. The hotel’s wellness area is reserved for hotel guests and includes a Jacuzzi, sauna, Turkish bath, treatment rooms and a gym suite with Technogym equipment.
This is an especially useful offering in Venice because a period of relaxation between exploring and walking is key to experiencing the city without fatigue. During longer stays, a treatment could become part of a day’s itinerary. There is also a couples’ treatment room for joint treatments.
Using the spa during the hottest part of the day, when outdoor activities can become less desirable, is an alternative option. It could be combined with other activities in the hotel to make for a relaxed and intentional afternoon.
Breakfast
Image: Eggs Royale at Felice al Gabrielli. © 2026 Palates & Miles
Breakfast is served each morning at Felice al Gabrielli. The restaurant takes its name from Felice Bauer, linking the dining space with the hotel’s literary history and its connection to Franz Kafka. It is a small detail, but one that is important in the context of the hotel and its history.
The breakfast experience is one to note, with hot dishes prepared to order and a wider selection of pastries, breads, fruit and continental items available in the buffet area. Service was attentive, with any request actioned without delay, making for a polished experience.
P&M note: A similar breakfast offering is also available for in-room dining should you have an early start or departure. A small tray or delivery charge may apply for delivery to the room.
In-house dining and the private garden
Image: Private Garden from above. © 2026 Palates & Miles
Afternoon and evening dining at Hotel Gabrielli is focused around K Lounge Bar and restaurant Felice al Gabrielli, both located on the ground floor of the hotel. Dining here is a useful way to break up an afternoon of exploring or to build in a pre- or post-spa moment. Various menus and offerings are available throughout the day and evening, catering to both guests and visitors alike. There is also an outside terrace overlooking the lagoon, should outdoor dining be preferable.
In addition, one of the most useful assets of the hotel is its private garden, located at the back of the property. Created in 1808 and reserved for hotel guests, it gives the property a rare concealed outdoor space in central Venice. This is important as the city can feel busy outside, particularly during the summer months. Having a private garden available brings a sense of relaxation and exclusivity not often found in Venice.
Gabrielli Rooftop Terrace
Image: Rooftop Terrace View. © 2026 Palates & Miles
The Gabrielli Rooftop Terrace is one of the reasons many visitors to the city decide to visit the hotel, even if not staying. Positioned on the sixth floor, it offers wide views across the lagoon towards San Giorgio Maggiore. The full scale of the lagoon, as well as views up towards San Marco and the Grand Canal, are evident from the terrace and it is not hard to see why it has become such a draw.
This is also the place that will likely become a key memory for many guests. It works well for a pre-dinner aperitivo, especially in summer when the sun is a little lower and begins to set in the west over the historic skyline of the city. Carefully crafted signature cocktails sit alongside the classics and help start the evening on the correct note. Bar snacks are also provided alongside the drinks order, as is customary in such an establishment. There is also an all day dining menu for those who wish to spend the entire evening there.
If you are dining earlier in the evening, you could also visit for a post-dinner nightcap. The darkness offers a different perspective, with the twinkling lights of the city and boats in the lagoon providing the perfect end to an evening.
P&M tip: The dress code here is smart, especially in the evenings. Be aware that it is an exposed terrace, so if the weather changes, it is best to have something to hand in preparation for any breeze that may come off the lagoon.
Service
Service throughout the stay was consistent in all areas. The arrival and welcome, room, breakfast, spa and rooftop bar all aligned to form a rounded and memorable stay. This is especially important in a newly renovated hotel and proves the investment was in more than just aesthetics.
Hotels in Venice are not short of competition from other luxury and branded properties. Service is one key distinguisher between a good and a great hotel and it is always promising to see when this is prioritised alongside other aspects of the hospitality offering.
It felt like the staff took pride in the hotel’s history and how it has evolved into something of an icon along Riva degli Schiavoni today.
How to plan a stay
Image: Suite balcony view. © 2026 Palates & Miles
Hotel Gabrielli is ideal for those who want to stay close to the centre of Venice without being directly in the loudest part of San Marco. St Mark’s Square is around a 10-minute walk away, while the Arsenale and Biennale Gardens are also within easy reach in the other direction. This makes the hotel a strong base for both classic sightseeing and wider exploring.
A water taxi arrival is worth considering, especially when travelling with large luggage or arriving in the evening. If arriving on foot, the hotel is easy to find from Riva degli Schiavoni, but the waterfront can be busy during peak parts of the day and there are numerous bridges to contend with before arriving at the hotel.
The rooftop terrace should be a planned feature of any stay, especially in summer. You cannot reserve a table here and it is first come, first served, so choose your timing wisely.
The spa is also worth booking in advance if planning treatments, as this will ensure availability and avoid any disappointment.
For those planning a wider visit, our Edit on An Afternoon in Venice | St Mark’s to Rialto offers a considered route through the city that works well before returning to the hotel or heading out for dinner. Dinner at Club del Doge | The Gritti Palace Venice provides an alternative view on Venice dining.
P&M notes
• Early planning and booking of your stay is advisable, especially if travelling in the peak season between June and September.
• A water taxi arrival is the most seamless option and, whilst no prior booking is required, if you are arriving late at night, the hotel can assist with ordering a water taxi from Marco Polo Airport.
• The rooftop terrace is best experienced for pre-dinner drinks or a light dinner, especially if you want the best views over the lagoon and San Marco.
• Do not skip breakfast at the hotel, especially if it is included in the room rate. It is one of the strongest offerings available and allows for a slower start to the day.
Final thoughts
Hotel Gabrielli works because it offers more than a convenient location. The combination of design, space and service is what makes it a hotel worth considering time and time again.
The restoration and reopening have returned a historic hotel name to a city not short of luxury offerings. Whilst views are important in Venice and one of the main reasons for booking somewhere, they should always be backed up by service, quality and atmosphere inside. This is something Hotel Gabrielli achieves in its stride.
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