Hotel Imperial

Hotel Imperial, also known as The Imperial, is a historic luxury hotel on Vienna’s Ringstraße in the Innere Stadt district. The property occupies the former Palais Württemberg, a nineteenth-century city palace commissioned for Duke Philipp of Württemberg and his wife, Duchess Marie Therese, who was born an Austrian archduchess. Its Italian Neo-Renaissance exterior, ceremonial entrance, grand staircase, marble finishes, carved statuary and crystal chandeliers preserve the visual language of an aristocratic residence while supporting the requirements of a modern luxury hotel. The palace was constructed between 1863 and 1865, during the transformation of Vienna associated with the development of the Ringstraße after the removal of the city’s former fortifications. Designed by Arnold Zenetti, with Heinrich Adam serving as master builder, the building included a prominent central projection, balconies and a high portal originally intended for carriages entering the palace courtyard. Sculptural elements on the façade include four figures representing wisdom, honour, justice and strength, together with heraldic animals associated with the Württemberg coat of arms. The ducal family made limited use of the residence. After the property was purchased in 1872 by financier Horace Ritter von Landau, it was converted into a hotel in time for the 1873 Vienna World’s Fair. Hotel Imperial opened in April 1873, with 28 April commonly identified as its ceremonial opening date. From its earliest period, the hotel cultivated a connection with royalty, diplomacy and official visitors. Historical accounts associate the property with Emperor Franz Joseph I’s official guest arrangements and with visits by figures including Pedro II of Brazil, Christian IX of Denmark, William I and Otto von Bismarck. The building was expanded by two storeys in 1928, increasing its accommodation capacity without eliminating its palace character. Its twentieth-century history also reflects Vienna’s political upheavals. During the Nazi period, Jewish co-owner Samuel Schallinger was forced to surrender his shares after the Anschluss in 1938; he was later deported to Theresienstadt, where he died in 1942. Adolf Hitler stayed at the hotel during visits to Vienna, and a bunker was constructed on the Canovagasse side. In the closing phase of the Second World War, Generaloberst Josef Dietrich used the hotel in connection with the German withdrawal from Vienna. From 1945 to 1955, the property was occupied by the Soviet High Commission for Austria during the Allied occupation. After the Austrian State Treaty, the building was returned to the Republic of Austria. Renovation work carried out between 1956 and 1958 enabled hotel operations to resume. Further restoration and modernization took place from 1988 to 1994, with additional ground-floor changes in the 2010s. Today, Hotel Imperial operates as part of The Luxury Collection, a Marriott International brand focused on distinctive high-end hotels with strong local identity. The property contains approximately 79 rooms and 59 suites and combines heritage accommodation with dining, event and hospitality services. A signature product associated with the hotel is the Imperial Torte, a square chocolate-and-almond confection containing cocoa cream and marzipan. The hotel’s traditional account attributes its creation in 1873 to kitchen apprentice Xaver Loibner for Emperor Franz Joseph I, although that origin story is presented as a hotel tradition rather than independently established history. In 2016, Starwood Hotels & Resorts sold the hotel to Al Habtoor Investment, while the property continued operating under The Luxury Collection through a long-term management arrangement.

Hotel Imperial occupies the former Palais Württemberg at Kärntner Ring 16, a prominent address on Vienna’s Ringstraße. The palace was commissioned by Duke Philipp of Württemberg and his wife, Duchess Marie Therese, an Austrian archduchess. It was constructed from 1863 to 1865 during a period when Vienna was being reshaped by the creation of the Ringstraße after the demolition of the old city walls. Arnold Zenetti designed the building, while Heinrich Adam acted as master builder. The palace was conceived in an Italian Neo-Renaissance style. Its façade includes a projecting central section, balconies and a monumental portal that originally accommodated carriages entering the palace courtyard. Sculptural figures by Franz Melnitzky symbolize wisdom, honour, justice and strength. Heraldic animals linked to the Württemberg arms complete the exterior decoration. Inside, the building retained features associated with its aristocratic origins, particularly its grand staircase, marble surfaces, carved figures and elaborate chandeliers. The Württemberg family used the city residence only to a limited extent. Changes to the surrounding urban plan, including the development of Lothringerstraße and the loss of the palace garden’s original relationship to the building, contributed to the decision to leave the property. In 1872, financier Horace Ritter von Landau acquired the palace and arranged its conversion into a hotel. The hotel opened in April 1873, shortly before or in connection with the Vienna World’s Fair, and 28 April is generally given as its ceremonial opening date. During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Hotel Imperial became associated with visiting monarchs, diplomats and other public figures. It was used as an official guest house under Emperor Franz Joseph I and was connected with visits by Pedro II of Brazil, Christian IX of Denmark, William I and Otto von Bismarck. The property expanded in 1928 through the addition of two storeys, increasing its capacity while preserving much of its palace appearance. The hotel’s history was affected by the Anschluss and the Second World War. Samuel Schallinger, who held part of the ownership before the war, was compelled to surrender his shares in 1938 because of Nazi persecution. He was deported to Theresienstadt and died there in 1942. Adolf Hitler stayed at the hotel during visits to Vienna, while a bunker was built on the Canovagasse side. In the final days of the war, Generaloberst Josef Dietrich directed the withdrawal of German forces from Vienna from the property. The building served a non-hotel function during the Allied occupation. From 1945 to 1955 it housed the Soviet High Commission for Austria. Following the signing of the Austrian State Treaty, the former palace was returned to the Republic of Austria. A major renovation between 1956 and 1958 prepared it to resume hotel operations. Additional renovation work took place between 1988 and 1994, followed by further ground-floor modifications during the 2010s. In the modern hospitality market, Hotel Imperial operates within The Luxury Collection, a Marriott International brand whose properties are marketed as distinctive luxury hotels rooted in their locations. The hotel provides rooms, suites, food and beverage services, events and concierge support. Its current accommodation inventory is described as approximately 79 rooms and 59 suites. The Imperial Torte, a chocolate, almond, cocoa-cream and marzipan confection, is the property’s best-known culinary symbol. The hotel attributes the dessert to apprentice Xaver Loibner, who is said to have prepared it for Emperor Franz Joseph I at the hotel’s opening; this is a traditional account rather than a fully independently documented fact. In 2016, Starwood Hotels & Resorts sold Hotel Imperial to Al Habtoor Investment. The transaction changed the investment ownership while preserving the hotel’s operation under The Luxury Collection through a long-term management agreement.

• 2016

  Hotel is sold to Al Habtoor Investment

  [1]Hotel Imperialen.wikipedia.org

  Starwood Hotels & Resorts sells the property to Al Habtoor Investment, while the hotel remains associated with The Luxury Collection.

• 1988

  Further restoration begins

  [1]Hotel Imperialen.wikipedia.org

  A later program of renovation and restoration begins, continuing into 1994.

• 1958

  Postwar renovation is completed

  [1]Hotel Imperialen.wikipedia.org

  Renovation undertaken from 1956 to 1958 enables the property to resume hotel operations.

• 1955

  Building is returned after the Austrian State Treaty

  [1]Hotel Imperialen.wikipedia.org

  Following the Austrian State Treaty, the former palace is returned to the Republic of Austria.

• 1945

  Property becomes Soviet High Commission headquarters

  [1]Hotel Imperialen.wikipedia.org

  During the Allied occupation of Austria, the building is used by the Soviet High Commission rather than operating solely as a hotel.

• 1928

  Building receives two additional storeys

  [1]Hotel Imperialen.wikipedia.org

  The hotel is enlarged by adding two storeys while retaining much of the original palace design.

• 1873

  Hotel Imperial opens

  [1]Hotel Imperialen.wikipedia.org

  The hotel opens in April 1873 in time for Vienna’s World’s Fair; 28 April is identified as its ceremonial opening date.

• 1872

  Palace is acquired for hotel conversion

  [1]Hotel Imperialen.wikipedia.org

  Financier Horace Ritter von Landau purchases the property and arranges its conversion into a hotel.

• 1865

  Palais Württemberg is completed

  [1]Hotel Imperialen.wikipedia.org

  The Italian Neo-Renaissance palace designed by Arnold Zenetti is completed, with Heinrich Adam serving as master builder.

• 1863

  Construction of Palais Württemberg begins

  [1]Hotel Imperialen.wikipedia.org

  Construction begins on the city palace commissioned by Duke Philipp of Württemberg and Duchess Marie Therese on Vienna’s emerging Ringstraße.

A heritage luxury hotel positioned around aristocratic architecture, Viennese history, formal service and association with The Luxury Collection.

• Luxury accommodation

  Guest rooms

  Hotel Imperial offers luxury rooms within a former aristocratic palace on the Vienna Ringstraße. The accommodation experience emphasizes preserved nineteenth-century architectural details, formal interiors, marble finishes and access to the service standards associated with The Luxury Collection. The property is described as having approximately 79 rooms.

• Luxury accommodation

  Suites

  The hotel’s suites extend its palace-inspired positioning through larger layouts and historically styled interiors. They are intended for high-end leisure, diplomatic, business and special-occasion stays, combining heritage surroundings with contemporary hotel services. The property is described as having approximately 59 suites.

• Restaurant and café

  Café Imperial Wien

  Café Imperial Wien is the hotel’s associated café and dining offering. It forms part of the property’s Viennese hospitality identity and complements the hotel’s broader luxury accommodation, food and beverage and social-event services.

• Confectionery · 1873

  Imperial Torte

  Imperial Torte is a square confection associated with Hotel Imperial. Its traditional composition combines chocolate, almonds, cocoa cream and marzipan. The hotel attributes its creation in 1873 to kitchen apprentice Xaver Loibner, who is said to have prepared it for Emperor Franz Joseph I. The origin story is best treated as hotel tradition rather than independently verified history.

• 2016

  Transfer ownership to Al Habtoor InvestmentM&A

  Background

  Starwood Hotels & Resorts owned the property before the transaction, while the hotel operated within the Luxury Collection portfolio.

  Action taken

  Starwood Hotels & Resorts sold Hotel Imperial to Al Habtoor Investment, the investment arm of Al Habtoor Group.

  Aftermath

  Ownership changed, but the property continued operating under The Luxury Collection through a long-term management agreement.

  Source

• 1956

  Restore the property after postwar occupationStrategy

  Background

  The building had housed the Soviet High Commission from 1945 to 1955 and was returned to Austria after the Austrian State Treaty.

  Action taken

  Renovation work was carried out from 1956 to 1958 to prepare the former palace for renewed hotel operations.

  Aftermath

  Hotel activity resumed, allowing the property to continue as a luxury hospitality landmark.

  Source

• 1928

  Expand the hotel verticallyGeneration change

  Background

  The established hotel required additional capacity while preserving the architectural identity of the former palace.

  Action taken

  Two additional storeys were added to the building.

  Aftermath

  The expansion increased the hotel’s scale while maintaining much of its historic exterior and palace character.

  Source

• 1872

  Convert Palais Württemberg into a hotelStrategy

  Background

  The former ducal residence was no longer being used extensively by its original occupants, while Vienna was developing the Ringstraße and preparing for the 1873 World’s Fair.

  Action taken

  Horace Ritter von Landau acquired the palace and converted it into a luxury hotel.

  Aftermath

  Hotel Imperial opened in 1873 and established the property as a hospitality landmark associated with Vienna’s royal, diplomatic and international visitors.

  Source

• 2016

  Starwood Hotels & Resorts sells Hotel Imperial to Al Habtoor Investment[1]Hotel Imperialen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Hotel Imperial was sold by Starwood Hotels & Resorts to Al Habtoor Investment, the investment arm of Al Habtoor Group. The property continued operating under The Luxury Collection through a long-term management agreement.

1. 1Hotel Imperialen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Vienna’s tourist trail of plundertheguardian.com