Certain places in the world stay with you long after you’ve left. Hotel Imperial Vienna is one of those places. It isn’t simply a hotel, it’s a monument to elegance, tradition, and heartfelt hospitality. Originally built in 1863 as a residence for Duke Philipp of Württemberg and later transformed into a hotel for the 1873 World Exhibition, this former palace has long stood as a bastion of imperial charm. The magic of the Imperial is not just found in its golden stuccoed halls, grand staircases, and baroque opulence—it lives and breathes through its stories, its staff, and the guests who return, time and time again.

From the moment you step inside, it is clear why the former palace has long attracted legends like The Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, Sophia Loren, and even the King of Spain. There is something magnetically enduring about this place. A sense of grace and permanence, of knowing that you’re stepping into a space that has seen emperors crowned, icons unwind, and history quietly unfold. Once you’ve visited the Hotel Imperial, it becomes part of you—an emotional anchor you will find yourself longing to return to.

A Family in Every Sense

That sense of belonging is shared not only by guests but also by the staff, many of whom consider the Imperial their second home. It’s clear that to work at the Imperial is not merely a job—it is a vocation, a calling even. This was most evident in my conversation with Mr. Moser, the beloved former chief concierge who served guests for an astonishing 31 years, from 1983 until his retirement in 2014. Speaking to him was like reading a living book of the hotel’s legacy. He recalled tales that could easily fill a memoir—stories of loyalty, joy, and heartfelt service.

“There are only two reasons to leave the hotel—retirement or death—otherwise, there is no excuse to leave,” he joked. But underneath the humour was something deeply sincere. Mr. Moser’s stories brought to life the enduring relationships that have been forged within these walls. One story he shared was particularly touching: a longtime guest who made one of the grand suites his home for Christmas. So beloved was the guest that the staff helped decorate his room with a large Christmas tree and festive decorations for the 20 or so guests joining him. This wasn’t a one-off gesture; it was the natural extension of the relationship between guest and hotel. It speaks volumes about the sense of comfort, warmth, and familiarity that brings people back, not just for holidays, but for their most intimate and meaningful celebrations.

Living History and Secret Corners

History is embedded in every marble corridor and velvet-draped corner of the hotel. Guests are offered the opportunity to learn more through a guided daily tour, which opens doors to areas typically reserved for special occasions, including the Royal Suite, which Queen Elizabeth II once occupied. It’s during this experience that the building’s rich narrative truly unfolds.

One of the most fascinating historical details is the etching left behind on the Royal Staircase: Russian soldiers after WWII carved “we were here” in Cyrillic into the wall during the occupation. It’s a haunting, subtle reminder of the complex past the hotel has witnessed. The hotel doesn’t erase these memories—it honours them. The current ownership values the stories that shaped the Imperial, and it’s this reverence for the past that makes staying here so special.

The tour culminates in the legendary Café Imperial, with a tasting of the Imperial Torte— a culinary work of art that deserves its own spotlight. Every evening, we would return to our room to find two mini tortes placed lovingly on the pillow. A tiny gesture, perhaps, but it came to symbolise the decadence and thoughtfulness that pervades everything at the Imperial.

A Sweet Slice of Royalty: The Imperial Torte

The Imperial Torte is no ordinary cake. According to legend, it was conceived in anticipation of Emperor Franz Joseph I’s visit, when a young kitchen hand, Xaver Loibner, wanted to impress the Emperor with something unique. He created a confection as rich in flavour as it is in history. Since then, this square-shaped masterpiece has been handcrafted daily by a team of expert confectioners.

The classic Imperial Torte N°1 DAS ORIGINAL features layers of almond wafers delicately separated by whipped chocolate buttercream, wrapped in marzipan and glazed with a luxurious chocolate coating. The café has also introduced two newer variations, flavours N°2 SCHWARZE ORANGE and N°3 FEINE HIMBEERE, which offer aromatic and fruity orange and raspberry alternatives that are equally irresistible. The Café Imperial, present since the hotel’s earliest days, has a charming terrace that spills onto the elegant Vienna Ringstrasse. Sitting outdoors with a piece of torte and a coffee, watching the city’s trams pass by, is a simple but utterly Viennese pleasure. Here, you’re not enclosed in museum-like grandeur—you’re invited to be part of the rhythm of the city.

A Palace for All Generations

Despite being designed as a palace—not a modern family hotel—the sheer scale and thoughtful layout of the rooms make them surprisingly ideal for family travel. Our suite featured a separate living area, a grand bedroom, and even a spacious dressing area.

These rooms weren’t designed with families in mind, but rather as luxurious royal apartments—yet their generous proportions lend themselves beautifully to accommodating families with children. The layout allows children and parents to sleep in separate rooms, meaning adults can continue their evening without disturbing their child’s bedtime routine.

My two-year-old daughter, who usually recoils at the idea of bath time, was captivated by the grand bathtub nestled beside large windows overlooking the streets of central Vienna. Watching her play in that bath, surrounded by history and comfort, was one of the purest joys of our stay.

The flexible checkout time of noon is another understated luxury, which allowed us to enjoy our final morning without rush. And breakfast, served until 11 am, offered much-needed grace for parents still recovering from a night disturbed by a restless toddler, although with beds as generously sized and exceptionally comfortable as these, a bad night’s sleep is extremely unlikely.

A Breakfast Fit for Royalty

Let’s talk about breakfast, because it was one of the standout experiences. The buffet spread was extensive: fluffy scrambled eggs, sausages, fresh breads and danishes, cold cuts, cheeses, yoghurts, fruits, and a variety of jams and honeys. For me, the pièce de résistance was the freshly squeezed orange juice—so vibrant, it tasted like it had been plucked from the sun.

For those who prefer to be waited on, an à la carte menu is also available with options including pancakes and omelettes, all cooked to order. And a particularly regal touch: guests are invited to enjoy a glass of champagne alongside their breakfast, turning an ordinary morning into something celebratory. It’s a small detail, but an important one— especially when you’re dining in what was once a palace.

Even the Shower Impresses

Our suite was palatial in size, featuring a massive bathroom with both a bathtub and a separate shower cubicle—rare in modern hotels, let alone a historical one. Following a long day exploring Vienna and delighting in the amusements of Prater Park, my sister took her first shower in our suite and emerged announcing, “This shower deserves its own paragraph.” And she wasn’t wrong.

In a building with over 150 years of history, one might forgive the occasional outdated fixture, but at the Hotel Imperial, no such excuses are necessary. The showers are modern, powerful, and inviting. High-pressure water, hot in seconds, and a thoughtfully included foot tap—a godsend for washing off little feet after a day spent adventuring. Like everything else at the Imperial, the details matter.

An Evening at Opus

For one special evening, we dined at the hotel’s Restaurant Opus, open now for nearly a decade. We began with cocktails in the Imperial Bar—an opulent yet intimate space crowned by a majestic three-piece crystal chandelier boasting 7,746 crystals and 240 lights. Live music floated through the air as we sank into plush velvet armchairs. The atmosphere was sophisticated but never stiff—a reflection of Vienna’s rich musical and cultural heritage.

The waiting staff in Opus were another perfect example of how the hotel caters for guests of all ages. Whilst the hotel has hosted several esteemed guests throughout the years—indeed, one of the original guest books (now valued at £150,000!) from 1915 has been signed by the likes of Charlie Chaplin and the parents of the late Duke of Edinburgh, the hotel warmly welcomes even its youngest guests. Bringing a toddler into a restaurant awarded 3 Gault & Millau toques might make some parents nervous, but my daughter was met with warmth, patience and crayons, ensuring her experience was as highly regarded as mine.

The dinner menu at Opus offers a compact but varied selection of dishes, catering to both adventurous and more traditional palates. My notoriously picky sister had no trouble finding something to suit her taste. The menu struck a rare balance between gourmet complexity and accessibility. From baked cheese and gyros to ceviche and oysters, there was something for every taste. My main course, the slow-cooked teriyaki short ribs, was a revelation. Beautifully tender, with rich marbling and a silky teriyaki glaze that balanced sweet and savoury. Accompanied by grilled root vegetables, it was a hearty and comforting dish presented with Michelin-level finesse.

My evening concluded with the Hucambi Valrhona Chocolate pudding from the tasting menu. The highlight? A portion of caramelised banana that was nothing short of revelatory. It added depth and warmth to an already rich and balanced dessert, making it the perfect finale to our dining experience.

Final Reflections

The Imperial is more than a place to sleep—it’s a place to dream. It’s a living palace where history and hospitality intertwine. There’s something almost magical about the way the hotel maintains its imperial roots while adapting effortlessly to the needs of the modern traveller.

Whether you’re a rock star, royalty, a family with a toddler, or simply someone who appreciates timeless elegance and thoughtful hospitality, you will find something here that speaks to you.

The legacy of this hotel is not just its illustrious guest list or its imperial architecture. It’s in the way people come back—at Christmas, for anniversaries, for decades. It’s in the way staff treat you, not like a visitor, but like someone they’ve been waiting to welcome home. Because at the Hotel Imperial, every visit feels like a homecoming.

A: Hotel Imperial, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Vienna, Kärntner Ring 16, 1010 Wien, Austria
E: Reservations
T: +43150110333
W: Hotel Imperial Vienna

Written by Luxuria Lifestyle International’s  Sam Mead