Venice’s Historic Hotel Gabrielli Returns Under Starhotels Collezione
The historic palazzo reopens as a five-star, joining Leading Hotels of the World.
Photo: Courtesy of Starhotels
Starhotels has reopened Hotel Gabrielli on Venice’s Riva degli Schiavoni as a five-star property under its Collezione flag, positioning the historic palazzo as a new high-end contender in the city.
The restoration, overseen by Milan-based Andrea Auletta, marries Murano chandeliers, Istrian stone columns, and coffered ceilings with contemporary interventions. Those familiar with the brand will recognize the formula from Starhotels’ “La Grande Bellezza” initiative, which champions Italian craftsmanship as a differentiator in an increasingly globalized luxury hotel market. Unlike some new-build projects in Venice, Gabrielli’s heritage is long established: The property has been in the Perkhofer family since 1856 and counted Kafka among its guests—a narrative that speaks to clients seeking authenticity over a generic lagoon backdrop.
With just 66 rooms, including a Presidential Suite with its own rooftop altana terrace, Gabrielli keeps the scale intimate by Venetian standards. Its proximity to the Giardini and Arsenale makes it a natural base for Biennale season, while the 6,000-square-foot private garden—one of the city’s largest—offers a rare green refuge that extends a stay beyond the usual cycle of piazza, palazzo, and canal.
Food and beverage also nod to the city’s identity. Executive Chef Mirko Pistorello sources ingredients locally under the “Km Veneto” ethos, while the Felice al Gabrielli restaurant carries a literary thread in its name, tying back to Kafka’s muse Felice Bauer. The rooftop Terrazza Gabrielli stretches views from the Lido to Punta della Dogana, and the spa, though modest in scale, underscores the property’s craftsmanship focus with marble finishes and a private suite.For Starhotels, Gabrielli is a companion to Splendid Venice, located just behind Piazza San Marco, and extends the group’s presence from the bustling core to the lagoon-facing promenade. The property also joins Leading Hotels of the World, further cementing its positioning in Venice’s top luxury tier.
