Hotel Imperial

The Hotel Imperial is a five-star superior hotel on the Vienna Ring Road in the Innere Stadt district. It occupies the former Palais Württemberg, built between 1863 and 1865 for Duke Philipp of Württemberg. The façade follows Italian Neo-Renaissance style with a central projection, balconies and a high entrance portal. Four portal figures by Franz Melnitzky represent wisdom, honour, justice and strength. Above the façade, heraldic animals from the Württemberg coat of arms appear in sculptural decoration. The hotel has hosted royalty, diplomats and public figures since it opened in April 1873. Under Emperor Franz Joseph I it served as an official guest house and welcomed Pedro II of Brazil, Christian IX of Denmark and Otto von Bismarck. During the Second World War Adolf Hitler stayed there and a bunker was built on the Canovagasse side. After the war the building housed the Soviet High Commission for Austria until 1955. Inside, the main staircase from the palace period remains one of Vienna’s notable Ringstraße staircases. The interior features marble, hand-carved statues and crystal chandeliers. The hotel offers 79 rooms and 59 suites. A speciality is the Imperial Torte, a square chocolate and marzipan cake said to have been created in 1873 by kitchen apprentice Xaver Loibner for the opening.