Charlie Chaplin, John F. Kennedy or Nikita Khrushchev are only three famous guests of an assortment of celebrities who have helped the Hotel Imperial to become world-famous. Whoever steps through the elegant revolving door into the hall of the luxury Hotel Imperial on the Ring in Vienna today has no idea that they are walking in the footsteps of horse-drawn carts.

The main entrance used to be a driveway. The horse-drawn carriages drove through here, stopped at the grand staircase, the hutch was opened by liveried servants, and the guests of the house could climb the wide staircase directly from the carriage to the first floor. The large hall on the ground floor was then used by the carriages to turn around before they drove out through the gate onto the ring road again. It was not until 1912 that the entrance to the hall and the building were closed. Thus peace returned to the elegant Palais am Ring and its guests could sleep undisturbed.

A PROUD PALACE BECAME A HOTEL FOR THE WORLD EXHIBITION

Built in 1863 as the private residence of Duke Philipp von Württemberg, the proud „Palais am Wiener Ring“ was transformed into the Hotel Imperial for the 1873 World's Fair. This name soon became known throughout the world and remains both a commitment and an aspiration to this day.

A total of 76 rooms and 62 suites are available at the Hotel Imperial. With the renovation of 50 luxury rooms and suites, the redesign of the 4th and 5th floors of the famous Viennese hotel has been completed. The rooms and suites, which are particularly popular with artists, offer an outstanding view of numerous city sights and have been extensively modernized and upgraded to the latest technological standards without, however, obscuring the historic charm of the hotel.

Well-travelled and cosmopolitan guests, who always stay at top addresses, feel at home here. Their stay should be crowned by all the amenities.

JOHN F. KENNEDY, CHARLIE CHAPLIN AND THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND WERE GUESTS AT THE HOTEL IMPERIAL

On 17 March 1931, Charlie Chaplin travelled from Berlin and stayed at the Imperial. But the Viennese had no mercy on arguably the greatest film star of his time. Chaplin was relentlessly harassed. People climbed trees to see him. He said of the Imperial: "I have never had such a beautiful room in any hotel in the world." He lodged in the Imperial's staterooms on the first floor.

On 3 June 1961, the time of the Cold War, Nikita Khrushchev came to Vienna to meet John F. Kennedy. This meeting, heavily acclaimed by the Viennese, finally established Vienna's reputation as an international conference city. Where else do security and quality of life meet charm and the highest cultural standards so intensively? Khrushchev naturally stayed at the Imperial, where he obviously felt at home and preferred to dine in his suite.

When, for example, England's Queen Elizabeth II learned in 1969 that she would "only" be staying in a hotel and not in an adequate guest house of the Republic during her visit to Vienna, she is said to have been highly disconcerted. So, naturally, the princely suite was furnished with furniture from the Imperial Furniture Collection. When she left the Imperial, the tide had turned. Every employee, from the management to the valet, had received a small gift. And since then, the Imperial has been able to write in its pedigree that even the Queen of England felt extremely comfortable here.

MARBLE BATHROOMS AND WALLS IN SILK CONVEY THE SPIRIT OF THE 19TH CENTURY

Stylish furniture, marble bathrooms and walls wrapped in silk. Precious antiques convey the spirit of 19th-century Vienna. After the hustle and bustle of the day, there is room for new ideas and plans in a luxurious atmosphere.

The Fürstensuiten, once a princely residence, welcomes guests in a special setting: Magnificent crystal chandeliers sparkle weightlessly under high stucco ceilings and exude aristocratic flair. In the Maisonette Suite, you will be completely immersed in imperial magic and enjoy the breathtaking view over the roofs of Vienna from one’s own balcony.

Exclusive butler service is a recommendation of the hotel for a truly imperial stay. The butler will fulfil every wish before one has even expressed it. Suitcases are unpacked, and the ironed morning paper is served with a cup of tea or coffee.

RESTAURANT OPUS - THREE TOQUES FROM GAULT & MILLAU

The 45-seat restaurant OPUS is considered the "culinary masterpiece" of the house. Exquisitely light dishes of Austrian cuisine are offered, inspired by global trends, playfully arranged, served in a modern interpretation and optionally accompanied by fine wines. With a focus on regional, sustainable products of the highest quality and thanks to extraordinary creativity, every dish becomes an experience - be it an Austrian dry-aged beef, a Neusiedler zander or a southern Burgenland pigeon.

The OPUS (Latin for "work", especially that of a composer) got its name after the Hotel Imperial has been a meeting place for artists, especially from the nearby Musikverein, for more than 145 years.

THE COFFEE HOUSE AS A TRIBUTE TO VIENNESE TRADITIONS

Since the dawn of time, the Viennese coffee house has been regarded as a meeting place for society and literati. Many masterpieces have been penned by great writers at Café Imperial Wien, and every guest here is a special one. The tradition lives on and is carefully cultivated. Café Imperial Vienna is where Viennese and international society meets for lunch or dinner, for an "espresso" or an "americano".

The Café Imperial Wien serves classic Viennese specialties, from fine Tafelspitz to fluffy Kaiserschmarren and probably the best Wiener Schnitzel in town. The generous breakfast buffet invites you to savour a glass of champagne, and after the morning sun has wandered over fresh fruit and golden honey, from noon onwards you can also purchase Vienna's sweet insider tip - the handmade Imperial Torte - or enjoy it with a fragrant cup of tea.

The elegant Café Imperial Wien has made a name for itself in Vienna for over a century - as a discreet as well as an inspiring place for thinkers, writers, musicians, maestri and business people.

COMMENT:

Hotel Imperial in Vienna is one of only a few hotels in the world and the only hotel in Vienna, Austria, to offer personal butler service. For guests staying in an Elisabeth Suite, Maisonette Suite, Maria Theresia Suite, Imperial Suite or Royal Suite, the personal butler is always available free of charge. An unsurpassed service that meets the highest standards, with a personal butler always at your service to serve you the daily newspaper and a fresh cup of Viennese coffee or a cocktail.