Austria’s capital Vienna is one of Europe’s finest weekend break destinations. A wealth of cultural delights reflects the city’s rich historical legacy, making it a popular choice with art and music buffs. The sheer luxury and comfort of Palais Hansen Kempinski is the ideal base from which to explore.
Designed by architect Theophil Hansen, Palais Hansen Kempinski is a grand neo-classical building in the heart of Vienna. Its setting is on a slightly quieter part of the Ringstrasse, but this is no way detracts from its convenient location – nearly all attractions are just minutes in a taxi and remain walkable.
The hotel’s imposing façade wasn’t changed during the Kempinski renovations, but interiors have become a gleaming ode to marbleised luxury. The internal columns have been kept, lending the hotel a sense of stateliness. A stylish central lobby lounge is surrounded by the hotel’s various social and dining spaces, which include several restaurants, bars, and a cigar lounge in which smoking is permitted (Vienna has yet to completely outlaw indoor smoking).
98 rooms and 54 suites are all of generous proportions with high ceilings. Most have balcony access offering views out towards the Ringstrasse or of typically Viennese architecture. The rooms are copiously accented with elegant wood veneer, musically themed photographic art, and tastefully neutral colour schemes. The hotel makes use of State of the art technology; showers and bathtubs are controlled with button interfaces that allow guests to pick the exact water temperature.
Service is provided by a young team of staff who conduct themselves with bright enthusiasm and friendliness. In their hands the hotel feels at once both grand but informal – the exact formula to please the modern traveller.
Eat
Food is a focus of the hotel. They have several dining options: 1 Michelin starred Edvard, the less formal Die Kuche that serves classic Austrian fare, and an all-day dining menu in the Lobby Lounge. There’s also a smart piano bar and the aforementioned Cigar Lounge.
Edvard is a sophisticated space, finished in shades of ivory, black, and pale green. The chefs make a point of utilising the best of Austrian produce and lesser tasted ingredients. We tried the four course tasting menu, but the hotel also offers a 7 course dinner and a la carte dining. The meal opened with bread, chive infused butter, and a series of amuse bouche. The first starter was a tender tartare of veal, a well thought out use of the national meat. Next was Sot-l’y-laisse (or chicken oysters – a small and extremely tender part of the chicken often ignored) which came with a spinach puree and Alba truffle. The main course was melt-in-the-mouth beef with beetroot, followed by a showstopper of a dessert. Isabella grapes, prepared three ways with grape meringue. An ingenious use of an ingredient usually used only as an accompaniment to cheese in fine dining. Throughout the meal service from both waiters and sommelier was faultless.
The hotel’s excellent breakfast is served in Die Kuche. Firstly, it includes unlimited Perrier Jouet champagne. If that’s not a graceful extension of hospitality, I don’t know what is. A juice machine is set up for guests to use alongside an array of fruit and vegetables, but the kitchen also juices various fruits and vegetables in advance to avoid any hassle. The freshly squeezed apple juice was particularly special. A full buffet is set up with a lavish continental spread, mezze, English breakfast, and a to-order chef-prepared egg station. Waffles, eggs benedict, and a variety of Asian breakfast foods (such as dim sum and congee) are available from the a la carte menu.
Spa
A day spa is available to guests that includes several different saunas and steam rooms alongside a small hydrotherapy pool. The spa is attractively designed and geared towards relaxation. It is ideal for rejuvenating in after a day of exploring. There is also a 24/7 gym with cardio and weights machines.
Do
Vienna is impossible to be bored in. The overwhelming number of things to see and do guarantees you’ll end up coming back again; one weekend simply isn’t enough. Museums and art galleries, imperial palaces, theatres and opera houses, world class shopping, and in wintertime excellent festive markets will keep adults and little ones endlessly entertained. For our full guide of what to see and do in the city click here.
Palais Hansen Kempinski offers refined elegance, superb food, and cutting edge amenities. The young, enthusiastic, and helpful staff will ensure your stay in the city of music is at all times a blissful one.