“Once a flour mill, now a five-star fantasy – the Hilton Molino Stucky is where Venice slows down and shimmers.”
There are few hotel façades in the world as striking as the Hilton Molino Stucky Venice. A grand red-brick landmark on the tranquil shores of Giudecca Island with elegant chimneys, arched windows, and a subtle reminder of its industrious past. Once a 19th-century flour mill, this magnificent building has been reborn as a haven of sophistication, blending history with contemporary luxury.
The arrival is part of your experience. A private water taxi glides you across the lagoon, leaving behind the crowds of St Mark’s Square for the slower rhythm of island life. Giudecca feels like a secret – serene, self-contained, and just moments from the heart of Venice.
Inside, the Molino Stucky strikes a balance between industrial grandeur and modern refinement: lofty ceilings, polished stone floors, and a lobby faintly scented with espresso and polished wood. The welcome is warm and personal; staff are genuinely proud of their city, and eager to share a local recommendation or hidden gem. Guest rooms reflect the building’s heritage with high-beamed ceilings, exposed brickwork, tall arched windows soothing creams, soft linens, and touches of Venetian blue. Marble bathrooms invite indulgence with deep soaking bathtubs, rainfall showers, and plush amenities. And from your bed, the view of Venice’s domes, shimmer across the water.
For those seeking Venetian luxury, the Presidential Suite is a masterpiece. Spanning two levels, it commands sweeping views of the lagoon, with panoramic windows that frame Venice like a living painting. Every detail, from the polished floors to the curated artworks, pay homage to the city’s maritime past.
The suite’s grand living space opens onto a private terrace, a secluded haven where guests can sip champagne as the sun goes down. The marble bathroom, complete with a freestanding bathtub and gleaming double vanities, rivals the finest European spas. This is a private world high above the rooftops of Venice, and I can’t imagine wanting to leave, if I was staying in this suite.
Mornings begin leisurely at Il Molino Restaurant. The aroma of freshly ground coffee mingles with the scent of warm pastries as guests linger over breakfast: buttery croissants, jewel-like fruit, fine Italian cheeses, and the clinking of prosecco glasses.
Dinner at Aromi Restaurant is another highlight. Elegant but unpretentious, it’s a place where Venetian tradition meets modern flair. Tables spill out onto a terrace beside the lagoon, and at dusk, the setting transforms into something quietly magical. The seafood is exceptional, the pastas delicate,the service graceful. Even when the rain drives diners indoors, the ambiance remains captivating, polished and personal.
Perched high above the Giudecca Canal, the Skyline Bar is where the city’s timeless beauty meets contemporary cool. This rooftop haven offers front-row seats to some of the most breathtaking views in Venice – from the shimmer of the lagoon to the spires of San Marco, all bathed in golden light come sunset.
The cocktails here are nothing short of art. Bold, imaginative, and flawlessly balanced, and each one as photogenic as the view itself. Whether you’re lounging by the pool or sinking into a chic armchair under the stars, Skyline Bar delivers the perfect mix of luxury and laid-back Venetian glamour.
The Executive Lounge offers a more private retreat. By day it’s a calm space for cappuccinos and conversation; by evening, it becomes a haven of understated luxury with complimentary canapés and drinks. Sitting beside the window, watching the sunset over the rooftops of Giudecca with a glass of your favourite tipple, you easily lose track of time.
Beyond the hotel, Giudecca offers a glimpse of authentic Venetian life with quiet streets, fluttering laundry, ochre façades, and the chatter of locals going about their day. The Hilton’s private shuttle to St Mark’s Square makes exploring easy, but it’s always a pleasure to return to the stillness of the island.
A private excursion to Murano, arranged by the concierge, offers another layer of Venetian artistry. Watching master glassblowers shape molten glass into shimmering creations feels almost hypnotic – a reminder that beauty and craftsmanship remain at the heart of this city. Burano is also a must-do with beautiful, coloured houses lining the streets, and washing hanging from the windows. There is hustle and bustle, but something of a different vibe, than there is in St. Mark’s Square.
The Hilton Molino Stucky Venice is more than a hotel; it’s an experience in slowing down. Days unfold gently with mornings over cappuccinos, afternoons sightseeing, or treatments in the spa, and evenings under candlelight beside the lagoon, or in Skyline Bar enjoying a vibrant cocktail or three. Here luxury lies in attention to detail, the atmosphere, and the art of unhurried living.
As your water taxi glides away on departure, the Molino Stucky’s red-brick silhouette lingers in your mind – elegant, enduring, and entirely Venetian. It’s a place that reminds you of the true essence of travel: discovery, beauty, and the luxury of time. If Venice is on your wish list, I would recommend checking out Hilton’s Molino Stucky Venice, as an alternative to staying amidst the hustle and bustle. With a free shuttle from the hotel to St. Mark’s Square that takes approximately 15 minutes, you have the best of both worlds when visiting Venice.
So, what are you waiting for?
Hilton Molino Stucky Venice, Giudecca 810 Venice, 30133, Italy
https://www.nh-collection.com/en/hotel/nh-collection-venezia-grand-hotel-palazzo-dei-dogi
By Beverley Uddin-Khandakar
