There’s something therapeutic about watching boats slowly chugging along at all times of the day and night as the world around them zooms about at top speed.
Welcome to the wonderfully slow world of Guidecca Island, a stone’s throw from the bustling beauty of Italy’s star city of Venice.
And home to a grandstanding neo-gothic delight, now a five star 379 room hotel which just oozes opulence in a quite understated way.
The Hilton Molino Stucky Venice’s name is in tribute to the founder of the historical building designed by Ernst Wullekopf and built between 1884 and 1895 by Swiss businessman Giovanni Stucky for his flour mill and pasta factory.
The richest man in Venice at the time was killed in 1910 by a former worker who had mental health problems and with none of his family wanting to take on the business, the building fell into disrepair before being rescued by the Acqua Pia Antica Marcia company, with restoration by experts.
In the mid 2000’s, the Hilton Hotel chain took over and despite setbacks of a major fire which damaged the tower and centre of the building, it opened in 2007 and is one of the major landmarks in this remarkable city.
Reaching it from Venice’s Marco Polo Airport is an adventure in itself. A five minute walk through the land bound terminal leads to the famous lagoon which surrounds the city and the choice of a 45-minute ride in a James Bond style water taxi or a more leisurely crossing on the public water bus.
Either way, as you approach the island, the stature of the building is impressive. Internationally recognised as one of Italy’s iconic pieces of industrial architecture and at its peak, the most beautiful flour mill in Europe, 1500 people were employed to produce 50 tons of flour daily. In a nod to its founder, the name Stucky is still embossed on the front for all to see.
Today’s it’s the biggest hotel in Venice and has everything a guest could ask for, which means the prospect of never having to leave the lavish surroundings during the stay.
The entrance through the old style wooden doors is low-key, but once in and the smell of Italian lemons greets and smiling staff are on hand to help.
A vast ground floor just flows with the reception and concierge running seamlessly into the Rialto Bar and Restaurant, which serves up relaxing cocktails, lunches and dinners and houses the Executive Lounge for Hilton regulars.
During the summer months, people spill out into the relaxing garden and front terrace overlooking the lagoon and also dine in the Aromi Restaurant where on special out of season occasions, the executive chef Ivan Fargnoli creates one-off menus in collaboration with distinguished wine makers including the Lunelli family from Trento whose drinks are paired with divine cuisine including antipasto of beef tartare, marinated egg yolk, puntarella and chestnut, a first course of pumpkin risotto, walnuts and Moncenisio blue cheese, venison stew, mashed potatoes and sweet and sour red onion for the second course, rounded off with Sbrisolona cake served with zabaglione custard.
Eight signature cocktails including the Lagoon Mist, with Bumbu rum, Campari cask, orange juice cloud and Angostura sugar syrup and for the non-drinker, a Skylight Brew of orange juice, egg white, Dilmah tea and orange candy, are served in the Skyline roof top bar which affords magnificent views of Venice and is next to the summer swimming pool. Bar manager Valentina Mircea has created a QR code menu, which allows the guests to watch the mixology team create their cocktail virtually in front of them.
The hotel’s buffet breakfasts are a morning person’s delight, with Italian meats, cheese and breads, served alongside traditional cooked food, fruits, pancakes and the best part, the sweet corner.
With some of the best chefs in the business working at the hotel, guests can enjoy a baking class, where two hours are spent being given tips of how to make the Venetian favourites of light lemon tasting Burano cookies, cocoa diamonds and apricot occhi di bue biscuits. Luckily, the hotel has its own gym and spa to make sure the pounds don’t stay on too long!
With elegant Venetian furnishings and glassware, the rooms and suites are magnificent. In May, 24 new ones were unveiled by renowned Italian designer Biagio Forino who used teal colours and design to match the lagoon, with black lacquer tables by Chica and crystal chandeliers from Fortuny. Each has a separate bedroom and living area, with interconnecting options for families and groups.
With 32 of them having a dining option too, it’s like home from home and they are topped off with stunning Toile de Venice fabric by Rubelli for the wall screens and dreamlike teal wallpaper created by Inkiostro Bianco. Leather upholstered beds by Casamance and bespoke furniture made by Status Contract, give the suites a real air of elegance.
The Presidential Suite is on another level, as well as a private entrance, top class rooms and bathrooms, it boasts a lavish sitting room, hot tub, gym and magical rooftop views.
Just walking around Guidecca is special in itself, the island is residential and has a nice, homely feel about it, with restaurants and shops which are much cheaper than in the main city.
The hotel runs a shuttle to the Murano glass factory where you can see the ancient craft firsthand and also to San Marco, the tourist heart of Venice, with sights including St Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs, ready to be explored.
The Details
Hilton Molino Stucky Venice, Guidecca 810, Venice, 30133, Italy.
Tel: Toll free on +39 041 272 3311
Website: www.hilton.com
Email: venice.info@hilton.com
Hilton Molino Stucky Venice is located on Giudecca Island and easily accessible by the hotel’s shuttle boat. Low cost airlines run daily to Venice Marco Polo Airport. Alternatively, there is a regular daily train service.
Type of Hotel: 5-Star Luxury Hotel
Number of Rooms: 379 rooms and suites. The new suites are available to book now, starting from €850 on a bed and breakfast basis. Nightly rates begin at €240 per night based on double occupancy with breakfast included. Molino Suites start from €590 per night.
Price Band: Medium to high
Insider Tip: Take time to relax and enjoy the idyllic views and peace of the hotel and island before hitting the tourist route!
Additional Information: Holiday Extras is the market leader in UK airport parking, hotels, lounges and transfers. Last year its customers saved an average of £191 per trip by booking their airport parking in advance which means you can enjoy more holiday with less hassle. Plus, with Flextras, if you need to cancel or amend you can without charge. For more information please visit: www.holidayextras.com or call 0800 316 5678.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10/10
Author Bio:
Rebecca Hay is an experienced travel writer and member of The British Guild of Travel Writers. Follow her adventures with her family on Twitter and Instagram @emojiadventurer and on Facebook via EmojiAdventurers2.
Photographs courtesy of Hilton Molino Stucky Venice
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