Venice is not a conventional city when you are looking for luxury. Indeed, most of palaces there are hidden in basic buildings and only few reviews exist about them. So to be sure I was not going to be disappointed I selected an hotel that could at least give me some loyalty points, an Hilton. What a good choice ! A stunning building newly renovated in a pure venetian style with an amazing pool on the top floor… What a mess if I missed it.
First, location is premium as it is on the opposite side of the river from Piazza San Marco and just a 15 minutes boat-ride – complimentary – from it ; so you avoid all the teeming tourism and you still have a perfect view over Venice, especially from the top floor where you can also find a splendid crystal blue pool. By the way this complimentary boat shuttle that comes nearly 30 times per day is VERY convenient.
Then rooms are all in a typical venetian style and enable you to feel the romance of this city ; material are all good probably because the building was a farmer flour mill in the past so everything is “roots” and unsual for a luxury hotel. I liked it very much although I highly regret they didn’t put any bathtube in bathrooms… You must take a very high category of suites to find one, a Grand Deluxe Suite. Regarding the Executive Lounge it is appreciable but nothing special, a bit tiny and poorly furnished for me.
The Hilton Molino Stucky opened in 2007 after a complete restoration of a former flour mill dating back to 1895 and is composed of 379 guest rooms and suites. I booked a Junior Suite at 450 EUR/night including breakfast and airport taxiboat.
Living
A stunning hotel located in a stunning building. That could easily resume common areas of the Hilton Molino Stucky. Contrary to many other luxury hotels of the city, this one is very clear and stylish both outside and inside ; the magnific interior courtyard with green gardens and direct access to the SPA and fitness center following by the crystal blue pool at the top floor are very attractive, as well as the elegant designed lobby.
The building is straight on the border of the venetian lagoon, so very convenient to take a riverboat and go in the historical center.
Room
Not bad this Junior Suite, except that it doesn’t have any bathtube while I like to relax during a leisure stay in my bathroom… Anyway, at the least the room was large with floor-to-ceiling windows and a small separated living-room. We didn’t has the chance to have a view over the lagoon as you need to book specific rooms – more expansive – for that.
I will always regret the Crabtree and Evelyn bath products, far too cheap for a luxury hotel but what could they do… This is mandatory for all Hilton properties.
With this category of room and higher, you are allowed to access the Executive Lounge at ground floor which is quite tiny but you can drink and get some snacks for free.
Dining
We enjoyed a pretty good breakfast as usually in a Hilton property with an international full buffet thanks to my Diamond HHonors member card. The restaurant itself, at the ground floor, is large with plenty of waiters but we didn’t try it for lunch or dinner. Same for room-service food.
Level of exigency
Well, this is Hilton, so service is good but not top notch. I had to double check my bill and my original booking upon departure as they didn’t want to believe that my package included the riverboat taxi transit to the airport.
Clean-up and turndown services were executed always at correct time, while waiters at restaurant or Executive Lounge were well-organized to serve and refurb ; this is not often the case, even in 5-star hotels !
Stay from July 8th to 10th 2011
