Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor has purchased the famous Hotel Imperial, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Vienna from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. Joanna Andrews takes you inside the historic hotel.
The Hotel Imperial was built in 1863 as Prince Philipp of Württemberg’s Viennese residence. It was converted into a hotel to accommodate visitors of the 1873 World’s Fair.
Situated on the iconic Ringstraße in the city’s centre, the luxury hotel is next to the Musikverein concert hall and a short walk from attractions such as the Vienna State Opera, Kunsthistorisches Museum and Secession Building.
Al Habtoor said: “I am delighted to add such a historic hotel to our international hospitality portfolio. The hotel is one of the city’s most renowned pieces of architecture.”
He added: "Hotel Imperial is one of Europe’s most extraordinary luxury hotels and a premium addition to our growing global portfolio. We look forward to making further improvements to this legendary property and continuing to provide exceptional luxury hospitality to the next generation of luxury travellers.”
The seven-storey hotel, which features 138 rooms – including 59 suites, will continue to operate as part of The Luxury Collection brand under a long-term management agreement. It has three food and beverage outlets: the 105-seat Café Imperial Wien, Opus Restaurant, and the 1873 Halle&Salon Bar.
The acquisition brings the number of hotels in the Al Habtoor Group’s international portfolio to seven. Al Habtoor Investment recently acquired its first hotel in London with the purchase of the Hilton London Wembley. It also has two Hiltonbranded hotels in Lebanon (Hilton Beirut Habtoor Grand Hotel, Hilton Beirut Metropolitan Palace), one in the United States (President Abraham Lincoln Springfield – a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel), and two five-star hotels in Hungary (InterContinental Hotel Budapest, The Ritz-Carlton Budapest).
Hotel Imperial is the fifth Starwood property in the group’s portfolio of 14 hotels, joining the newly opened The St. Regis Dubai, as well as the upcoming W Dubai - Al Habtoor City, The Westin Dubai, Al Habtoor City and The St. Regis Dubai, Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club.
Starwood Europe, Africa and Middle East president Michael Wale said, "We are delighted to extend our relationship with the Al Habtoor Group, with whom we are launching Starwood’s largest hospitality project in the Middle East this year.
Over the next four years the 150- plus year old hotel will undergo renovation to bring it up to date while retaining its rich history.
Wale added, "Hotel Imperial was one of the first Luxury Collection hotels and its full restoration together with our partners will reinforce the majestic heritage of this historic hotel as we continue to provide global explorers with indigenous experiences in Vienna.”
The Hotel Imperial is renowned for its impeccable service, its grandeur and unique location on Vienna’s famous Ringstraße, next to the Musikverein Vienna, provides excellent conditions to explore the imperial city with all its magnificent sights. same.