Home away from home.
The Ringstraße is speckled with 5-star abodes, but this new addition my be one of the finest. Kempinski is a diverse brand and this Viennese specimen brings together tasteful design, sophisticated technology, gracious and helpful staff, fantastic dining and the best buffet breakfast in an urban hotel.
The Experience
Behind the 19th-century facade on Schottenring you a pass reception desk tucked in-between the two automatic doors and enter a two-story atrium lobby. In front of you are cosy lounge areas and glass elevators at the back, above you is a grand skylight surrounded by garden seating, and to all sides are entrance, to bars, restaurants and meeting areas. Nothing is crowded here. The luxury is just as much in the lack of la-di-da baubles as in the ornate mouldings and classy chandeliers.
The rooms and suites all fit the Kempinski style: modern, high tech, with a nod to the history or of the building or area. In our junior suite we could imagine staying for a longer period. The walk in closet, desk and couches offered ample space for entertaining and working without infringing on the bedroom or feeling cramped in any way. The high ceilings certainly help with that. The only strange choice, we thought was the elongated bathroom, which seemed squeezed into a sliver of space behind the bedroom. However, covered in marble, with a mirror to the ceiling it doesn’t feel as small once you’re inside where you find a rain shower and generous tub for two.
Each room is equipped with an ipad from which you can order room service and book spa appointments or just surf for fun things to do in town. When we got into the room our AC wasn’t working as when we called in for help a technician arrived within 2 minutes and fixed the problem in no time.
To get the full picture, we visited the spa, for a massage. The gym has the latest Technogym equipment an and the spa includes a small pool, various saunas (ladies and mixed), steam bath. We had been spoiled in Bratislava, with Kempinski’s penthouse pool, hot tubs and pool bar, an expected to have the same spa experiecne here, but despite the amenities being fewer and smaller, the spa is stylish, comfortable and classy.
And the food! Those who dine at Edvard, the haute cuisine establishment on street level, will be treated to a culinary experience par excellence, served in such imaginative ways, even eating it feels like art. But don’t despair is you’re not ready or financially equipped for Edvard (mains around €35), the other restaurant, Die Küche serves a diverse, but straight forward menu, with seasonal specialities, very humane prices (mains from €8.50-€25) and a fine wine list. This is also where we enjoyed breakfast with sunshine beaming in from the skylight and the walls covered in vertical gardens.
The Verdict
Kempinski has made the Palais Hansen fit right in with the Ringstraße hotels while remaining unique and inspired. We loved the dining options, elegant rooms and the ever-helpful staff. We wished the spa were bigger, but very much liked what was there.
Schottenring 24
1010, Vienna
+43 1 236 1000
