Hotel Imperial sits at Kaerntner Ring 16 on the grandest boulevard in Vienna, and it is one of the few hotels in the city that still feels like the palace it began as. The building was constructed in the 1860s as a residence for a duke and became a hotel in the 1870s, and it has hosted royalty, statesmen and musicians ever since. Today it is part of the Luxury Collection and has 138 rooms and suites, which makes it large enough to run with the full apparatus of a grand hotel and small enough to feel personal. The public rooms are the draw: marble, chandeliers and high ceilings set the tone from the entrance, and the lobby bar is an elegant place for an evening drink. Cafe Imperial serves international cuisine and the hotel's buffet breakfast is available for a surcharge, so check what is included in your rate when you book. A 24-hour gym covers fitness needs, and the hotel allows pets for a fee per night, which is unusual at this level. The location is the real prize: the Musikverein, home of the Vienna Philharmonic, is about a minute away on foot, the State Opera is about five minutes, the Hofburg about six and the Spanish Riding School about eleven. Karlsplatz, the Ringstrasse trams and the underground are all close, so you can reach the Belvedere and the Naschmarkt easily. The style is traditional and formal; those who prefer a loose, contemporary feel may be happier elsewhere, but for a first visit built around music, imperial history and the Ring, the Imperial is a classic choice. Rates are at the top of the market, and the tourist tax is added to the room price, so budget accordingly.
The rooms and the feel
Expect high ceilings, heavy fabrics, antique-style furniture and modern bathrooms, with categories that differ in size and view, and suites at the top of the range. The atmosphere is quiet and formal, with staff who are used to dealing with guests who are in Vienna for a concert, a conference or an anniversary. The hotel's stately lobby and staircase are worth a few minutes even if you are only passing through, and the public areas are attractive places to meet.
Eating and drinking
Cafe Imperial is the main restaurant, serving international dishes in a comfortable setting, and the lobby bar is the place for cocktails after the opera. Breakfast is a buffet and is available for a surcharge, so check whether your rate includes it. The surrounding streets have many cafes and restaurants within a few minutes, from a classic coffee house on the Ring to restaurants around the Opera, and the Naschmarkt is a short ride away for casual meals.
Location
Kaerntner Ring 16 is on the Ring between Karlsplatz and the Opera, with the Musikverein practically next door. Sightseeing on foot works well from here: the State Opera, the Hofburg, the Albertina, St Stephen's Cathedral and Kaerntner Strasse are all within about twelve minutes. For couples celebrating, music lovers and travellers who want the Ring on their doorstep, the Imperial is a natural fit.
Why stay here
- ✓Former palace on the Kaerntner Ring
- ✓138 rooms and suites
- ✓Cafe Imperial restaurant
- ✓Elegant lobby bar
- ✓24-hour gym
- ✓Buffet breakfast available
- ✓Pets allowed for a fee
- ✓One minute from the Musikverein
Good questions
How close is the Imperial to the Musikverein and the Opera?+
The Musikverein is about a minute away on foot and the State Opera about five minutes. The Hofburg is about six minutes and St Stephen's Cathedral about twelve.
Does the hotel allow pets?+
Yes, pets are allowed for a fee per accommodation per night, and service animals are exempt. Check the current terms when you book.
Is breakfast included?+
A buffet breakfast is available at the hotel for a surcharge. Whether it is included depends on the rate you choose, so check when you book.
