Honestly, Venice can feel like a theme park if you don't know where to duck into. You walk down the Riva degli Schiavoni, dodging selfie sticks and overpriced gelato, and you wonder if anything "real" is left. Then there's the Gabrielli Sandwirth Venice Italy. It’s this massive, 14th-century Gothic palazzo that’s been sitting there since before the American Civil War was even a thought. It’s not just a hotel; it’s a time capsule that finally decided to wake up in 2026.
For a few years, it was basically a ghost. The shutters were closed. The famous pink facade looked a bit tired. People kept asking, "Is the Gabrielli ever coming back?" Well, it did. It reopened late in 2025 under the Starhotels Collezione banner, and frankly, it’s one of the few places in Venice that actually lives up to the hype of the "Grand Tour" era without feeling like a museum.
What Really Happened During the Renovation?
The Perkhofer family has owned this place since 1856. Five generations. That’s rare in a city where big international chains are snapping up every square inch of marble they can find. They partnered with Starhotels to pull off a renovation that was, to put it mildly, aggressive. They didn't just paint the walls. They cut the room count nearly in half—going from over 100 rooms down to just 66.
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Why? Because nobody wants a tiny box room anymore. They wanted space. They brought in Andrea Auletta, a designer from Milan who basically specializes in making old things look expensive without making them look "new." You know that "old money" vibe? That’s what they hit.
- The Murano Factor: They literally took down 700 original chandeliers and wall sconces, sent them to Murano glass masters, and had them painstakingly cleaned and restored.
- The Quadrifora Windows: If you look at the facade, you’ll see those iconic four-arched windows. Those frame the most expensive suites now.
- The Hidden Garden: This is the hotel's secret weapon. It’s 600 square meters of green space in a city made of stone. If you’ve ever been to Venice in July, you know that finding a garden with magnolia and olive trees is like finding a cold water bottle in the middle of the Sahara.
Why the "Sandwirth" Name is Still There
Kinda interesting bit of history here. The "Sandwirth" part of the name comes from the family’s roots. They weren't originally Venetian aristocrats; they were hoteliers with a vision. Even though the official branding has shifted slightly toward Hotel Gabrielli Venezia, locals and long-time fans still call it the Gabrielli Sandwirth.
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The hotel was a massive deal for literary types back in the day. Franz Kafka stayed here. He wrote letters on the hotel stationery to his muse, Felice Bauer. The hotel actually named their new restaurant, Felice al Gabrielli, after her. It’s a nice touch. It feels less like a corporate branding exercise and more like they actually read their own history books.
The Rooftop and the "Altana" Experience
If you aren't staying there, you still want to get to the sixth floor. The Terrazza Gabrielli is a 150-square-meter rooftop deck that gives you a 360-degree view. You can see the Lido, the San Marco basin, and the island of San Giorgio Maggiore.
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Most people crowd the bars near the Rialto, but honestly, the vibe here is way better. You’ve got Bar Manager Diego Filippone doing signature cocktails that actually use local ingredients from the lagoon—not just the standard Aperol Spritz you find at every tourist trap.
- Check the Presidential Suite: If you’re a high roller, this is the one. It has its own private altana (that’s the Venetian word for those wooden rooftop terraces).
- The Spa: They added a full Venetian spa with a hammam and sauna. In an old palazzo, that’s a feat of engineering because you're basically building a wet room on top of 14th-century foundations.
- The Private Dock: You can arrive by water taxi directly to the hotel's gate. It’s a total "James Bond" moment that never gets old.
Is It Worth the Hype?
Look, Venice is expensive. There’s no way around that. But the Gabrielli Sandwirth Venice Italy occupies this weirdly perfect middle ground. It’s a five-star property now, so it’s not "budget" by any stretch of the imagination. However, because it's located a bit further down the Riva toward the Arsenale, you avoid the worst of the St. Mark's Square mosh pit.
You’re close enough to walk to the Biennale in ten minutes, but far enough away that you don't hear the cruise ship crowds screaming. It feels like a neighborhood. A very, very fancy neighborhood, sure, but a neighborhood nonetheless.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
- Booking Tip: Aim for rooms on the "piano nobile" (the second floor). These usually have the highest ceilings and the most original architectural details like exposed beams.
- Dining: Don't skip the courtyard breakfast. It’s one of the few places in Venice where you can eat outside in total silence.
- Timing: If you’re coming for the Biennale, book at least six months out. Now that the room count is lower (only 66 keys), the Gabrielli fills up incredibly fast.
- The Kafka Connection: Ask the concierge if they have any copies or displays of the old hotel stationery. It’s a small detail, but for history nerds, it’s the "real" Venice.
The reopening of the Gabrielli represents a shift in Venice. It’s a move away from "mass tourism" and back toward the idea of the hotel as a cultural landmark. It’s expensive, it’s historic, and yeah, it’s a little bit magical. If you want to see what Venice looked like before the 21st century took over, this is probably your best bet.