Global Hotel Brand Expands Into Vienna

The ‘Schottenring,’ in the heart of Vienna, currently sees the transformation of the historic Palais Hansen into the first Kempinski hotel in the Austrian capital. The listed building is undergoing careful restoration and extensive renovation works to welcome its first guests in Spring 2013. The hotel will boast 152 well appointed rooms and suites, spacious meeting and banqueting facilities including a grand ballroom for up to 280 people, and a lavish spa and wellness area offering guests an exclusive ambiance. To fulfil all culinary requests, the hotel houses two restaurants with constantly changing menus, a bar and a stylish night club, set to become a popular meeting point for locals and visitors.

To complement the hotel’s concept, the hotel will be home to 17 exclusive residences, to be found on the 4th and 5th floor of the property. The Palais Hansen Grand Residences vary in size from 130 m2 to 350 m2 and will be marketed by Palais Hansen Immobilienentwicklung GmbH.

“The Palais Hansen as a historic palace is a perfect fit for Kempinski’s unique portfolio, and will become a landmark for the group in the Austrian capital,” says Rupert Simoner, Regional Vice President for Kempinski. “It combines history with contemporary architecture and European elegance. A hot spot in Vienna – modern and glamorous, innovative and timeless, relaxed and unconventional, the Palais Hansen Kempinski will be the perfect destination for business and leisure travellers alike.” Following the opening of the Kempinski Hotel Das Tirol in Jochberg near Kitzbühl, the Palais Hansen Kempinski Vienna will be Kempinski’s second property in Austria.

The Palais Hansen Kempinski perfectly incorporates modern design with historic architecture. The property’s three courtyards will have glass roofs, and the heart of the property will house the lobby-lounge in the middle courtyard. Guestrooms range from 40 m2 to 45 m2, and the Presidential Suite will measure 300 m2. The contemporary interior design will be underlined with chic and functionality. The choice of materials, colours and fabrics highlight the interior design theme, combining historic elements and modern touches in a natural and accessible way.

The kitchen in the restaurant and the restaurant in the kitchen – guests can enjoy an all-day-dining experience at the Kempinski Grill, which is divided into three areas – living room, conservatory, and kitchen. The show kitchen directly next to the tables not only makes eating a culinary highlight, it turns it into an authentic experience. This way, guests can witness the preparation of their dishes right from the start, in direct and personal contact to the chefs. The second restaurant is all about innovative northern Italian cuisine in elegant surroundings. This outlet will be accessible not only from inside the hotel, but will also have a separate entrance from the street. Entertainment and experiences are the focus of the two bars and the lobby lounge – pre and post dinner or just in between. The second bar, also accessible directly from the street, will offer guests and locals a stylish nightlife experience, with DJ and live music – the new place to see and be seen in Vienna.