Kempinski Hotels officially opened Palais Hansen Kempinski Vienna with a Grand Opening Gala hosting over 700 guests. Originally designed as a hotel for the 1873 World Exhibition by Theophil Edvard von Hansen and Heinrich Förster, it has taken more than 140 years for the building to be restored to its original intended use. Two and a half years of careful restoration and interior construction were conducted under the aegis of Vienna-based architect Boris Podrecca, the Austrian Atelier Hayde Architekten and designer Jean-Claude Laville. On seven floors, the heritage-listed Renaissance Revival-style building accommodates 152 rooms and suites, the Kempinski The Spa, two restaurants and two bars, a florist and a delicatessen, 17 private residential apartments as well as Vienna's largest hotel cigar lounge. Innovative touches including iPad check-in and an iPad in every room with the latest TV entertainment systems blends the building's history with the latest in technology and contemporary lifestyle.
Modern chandeliers, a heritage-listed column-lined foyer and abundance of natural daylight make the 3,020 square foot ballroom the ideal venue for exclusive events. Its separate entrance allows for a grand entry to a ball or for discrete conference registrations. The mezzanine level holds another six function rooms of 375 to 1,250 square feet, all of them with natural daylight. Designed as an extended living room, the bright and spacious Lobby Lounge & Bar is the heart and soul of the Palais Hansen. A unique highlight is the Vienna Afternoon Tea. Traditional, yet unmistakably Viennese, this culinary experience is anticipated to be a new staple of Viennese lifestyle.
The two restaurants "Die Küche" (the kitchen) and "Edvard" are opened. "Die Küche" offers breakfast in a casual farmers' market atmosphere and a dinner menu inspired by traditional grandmothers' recipes for relaxed dining. Manning two live cooking stations, head chef Philipp Vogel and his team prepare dishes from the changing menu which guests may enjoy as part of an open kitchen experience. "Edvard", named after the architect Theophil Edvard von Hansen, the hotel's second restaurant, serves unpretentious seasonal fare including traditional recipes with a light twist. Inspiring the culinary team to new heights of creativity, the predominantly local produce used for the dishes is combined with spices and cooking techniques from around the world. Enjoying a separate entrance opening directly onto Schottenring street, the restaurant is also an ideal spot for business lunches or dinners in a relaxed atmosphere.
The night bar "Henri Lou", elegantly designed in white and blue serve classic and seasonal cocktails or fine Champagnes. Vienna's youngest nightlife catwalk is named after the exceptional writer Lou Andreas-Salomé, one of the first women in Austria to be accepted into male-dominated circles including Friedrich Nietzsche and Sigmund Freud. Fittingly, a female bar manager and a female bar keeper are in charge at the Henri Lou. The bar also plays host to Austrian and international DJs Thursday through to Saturday nights.
The Palais Hansen's historical mezzanine level is all about wellness. In six treatment rooms, guests can enjoy treatments inspired by the seasons of the year, administered using Elemental Herbology products and anti-aging cosmetics by Daniele de Winter. Featuring Ottoman influenced design, several saunas, a steam room, a hydropool and a gym complete the 8600 square foot Kempinski The Spa's comprehensive list of amenities.
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