Overlooking the Venetian lagoon from its location on the enchanting Riva degli Schiavoni, with sweeping views of San Giorgio Maggiore Island and San Marco basin, Starhotels unveils the new Hotel Gabrielli. On August 25, 2025, the historic Venetian 19th-century palazzo reopens as a five-star hotel, restored to its former glory through meticulous conservation work. The renovation enhances its historic and artistic value, preserved by the Perkhofer family for five generations, while introducing a contemporary dynamism that resonates with the expectations of today’s travelers.
A place steeped in timeless charm and memories, where even Franz Kafka once drew inspiration for his letters to his beloved Felice Bauer, the hotel now merges this fascinating past with a new vision of hospitality: authentic, refined, and deeply rooted in the Venetian identity, where every detail and service reflects a discreet and contemporary luxury.
“With Hotel Gabrielli, we complete a vision we have long held for Venice: to offer our guests two complementary yet distinct experiences in one of the world’s most beautiful cities. After Splendid Venice, behind Piazza San Marco, we now bring our excellence to Riva degli Schiavoni,” comments Elisabetta Fabri, Starhotels President and CEO. “Today, we open the doors to what we aspire to become Venice’s new signature address. Here, guests won’t simply visit the city, they’ll experience it at its most luminous, from the lagoon’s most privileged vantage as part of an exclusive community.”
The renovation project of Hotel Gabrielli, led by designer Andrea Auletta, harmoniously blends Venetian tradition with contemporary sophistication. The palette evokes the colors of the lagoon, combining magnificent Murano chandeliers, coffered ceilings, and Istrian stone columns reinterpreted with modern elegance. The historic façade regains its magnificence, with the magnificent Quadrifora windows framing exclusive lagoon views, defining some of the hotel’s finest suites.
As part of Starhotels’ patronage project La Grande Bellezza – The Dream Factory, Murano glass masters were involved in the restoration of more than 700 chandeliers and wall sconces, returning them to their original splendor. The majestic entrance staircase, marble claddings, exposed-beam ceilings, and original floors all pay tribute to the palazzo’s history.
Hotel Gabrielli reopens as a five-star destination after a thoughtful transformation that reduced its key count from 105 to 66, offering an elevated Venetian hospitality experience and including the grand Presidential Suite with a private rooftop altana terrace and unparalleled panoramic views over the city and lagoon.
Hidden at the back of the hotel lies a 600 sqm private garden, a unique jewel in Venice and one of the largest in the city, where summer shade mingles with the gentle sound of waves, brushing against marble canal walls. Centuries-old olive trees, magnolias, hydrangeas, and evergreen borders set among with antique marble tubs, adding a touch of history to the greenery.
To complete the experience, Hotel Gabrielli fully embraces the Group’s culinary philosophy, championing local culinary traditions through a contemporary sensitivity and profound respect for territorial identity. Led by the Venetian Executive Chef Mirko Pistorello, here, quality emerges from the commitment to ingredients sourced from local supply chains following the Km Veneto ethos.
A nod to the palazzo’s storied guests – among them Franz Kafka – the Felice al Gabrielli Restaurant, named after Kafka’s muse Felice Bauer, offers an intimate, refined setting that opens onto a quiet internal courtyard enhanced by jute-effect fabrics and native plants, evoking the discreet atmosphere of a winter garden. The K Lounge Bar with its warm tones and natural materials, serves as the vibrant centrepiece of Gabrielli, where the food & beverage offering draws inspiration from the flavours of the lagoon.
On the sixth floor, the Terrazza Gabrielli extends over 150 sqm, offering a mesmerising 360-degree panorama of Venice, from the Lido to the Punta della Dogana and San Marco’s lagoon. An outdoor sky bar, featuring brick-red accents that echo the building’s façade, enhances this elevated experience. Sunset aperitivi on the rooftop features signature cocktails by Bar Manager Diego Filippone and dishes by Chef Pistorello, each with a local origin and story, creating a setting where the grandeur of the city and lagoon is paired with culinary artistry.
As a final touch, the Venetian Spa offers an intimate retreat to unwind in a serene setting, featuring a private suite with a bathtub, multisensory shower, sauna, hammam, and a treatment room for two, all enhanced by exquisite marble finishes and restored local craftsmanship.
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