Hotel Imperial, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Vienna

Luxury Collection Hotels

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.

150th Anniversary Hotel Logo

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.

Yound royal couple on wedding day in 1865
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.

Historiv view of hotel's building
Image: © Archiv des Hauses Württemberg, Schloss Altshausen

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.

Historic image of Cafe Imperial
Image: © Oesterreichische Nationalbibliothek

Famous Guests

Queen Elizabeth II. waves to a gathering of well-wishers in front of the Hotel Imperial, 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.

Queen Elisabeth
© Barbara Pflaum / brandstaetter images / picturedesk.com

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 Vienna’s World Fair, later into the Hotel Lobby (as pictured), and in 2014 into the grand Imperial Bar.

Imperial Bar
© Matthias Hamel, 2006

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.

Champagne glasses in a row