Hotel Imperial Celebrates Its 150th Jubilee

On April 28 our hotel icon turns 150, which we take as an opportunity to glance back at its rich history – based on the book Hotel Imperial Wien by Andreas Augustin.

A Palace of Imperial Grandeur

More than just a residence of choice for travelers in a hurry, the Hotel Imperial has remained the palace it was designed to be. Located on the magnificent Ring Boulevard (Ringstrasse), it is now a world-famous 5* superior hotel full of memories, where new history is written every day.

1873

In 1863 Duke Philipp of Wuerttemberg had today’s Hotel Imperial built as a token of his love for his wife, Archduchess Marie Therese. A few years later, their magnificent private palace was converted into a luxury hotel to be opened in 1873 for the World Exhibition.

Image: © Archiv des Hauses Württemberg, Schloss Altshausen

A Legend Is Born

On the special occasion of the 25th anniversary of the reign of Emperor Franz Joseph I, the World's Fair takes place in Vienna in 1873. The Hotel Imperial is the most elegant hotel in Europe. During the first weeks, emperors, kings and queens, state chancellors as well as famous personalities stay here. This is how the imperial flair has been created that lasts to this day.

Image: © Archiv des Hauses Württemberg, Schloss Altshausen

Emperor Franz Joseph I and the Hotel Imperial

Emperor Franz Joseph I visits the hotel regularly. Here he meets Prince Bismarck, King Milan of Serbia, the Crown Prince of Denmark and other important personalities. In his personal letters to his beloved wife, Empress Elisabeth ("Sisi"), he mentions the Hotel Imperial several times.

Portraits hanging in a hallway of the hotel.

The Coffee House

The coffee house is a Viennese institution. This is where society meets for a rendezvous, where people read newspapers, learn the latest news, drink coffee or dine. The coffee house of the Hotel Imperial becomes the center of Viennese society. Sigmund Freud, Gustav and Alma Mahler as well as Stefan Zweig order their coffee and "their" newspaper here.

Image: © Oesterreichische Nationalbibliothek

Famous Guests

Elizabeth II of England waves from the balcony of her suite, the Emperor of Japan walks up the Royal Staircase, Alfred Hitchcock searches his wife in his spacious suite, Charlie Chaplin lives as imperially as never before, while Richard Wagner resides in seven rooms. The list can be continued at will. For all of our guests, the Imperial is a grand home – often far away from home.

The Imperial Bar

As you enjoy an exquisite glass of champagne in the Imperial Bar, you could be sitting right where Maestri and famous Musicians once sat and found inspiration. Originally built as an open courtyard, this radiant area was transformed into a Restaurant for the World Exhibition, later into the Hotel-Lobby, and in 2014 into a grand Bar.

150 Years of Hotel Imperial

And history continues to be written every day…. Be part of it. Celebrate 150 years of Hotel Imperial with us – by enjoying a gourmet menu in our Fine Dining Restaurant OPUS,a glass of champagne in the Imperial Bar or an exquisite anniversary menu in Café Imperial Wien – created by our Chef de Cuisine Werner Pichlmaier and inspired by historical menus. Furthermore unforgettable overnight offers are awaiting you

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