Palais Hansen Kempinski Vienna: Capturing the sounds of the city

Vienna and music are inextricably linked. More famous composers have lived here than in any other city and everywhere you go, you are reminded of its illustrious musical history. But while Vienna is renowned for its waltzes and operas, jazz, pop, and rock are as much at home on the stages of the city’s concert halls as classical scores. From its stately position on the famous Ringstrasse boulevard, Palais Hansen Kempinski Vienna plays its part in the musicality of this beautiful city. For instance, we can help you discover a secret and fascinating Vienna by organising wonderful music inspired tours*. Concerts and live performances are regularly held in the hotel’s Lobby Lounge but if you really want to capture the essence of Vienna, and for a truly memorable stay, choose the spectacular Kempinski Waltz Time package. Your evening begins with a sumptuous dinner followed by a limousine transfer to a local concert, before returning to the hotel’s luxurious 320 sq m Presidential Suite. Here you’ll have front row seats at the world premiere of… your very own waltz! Exclusively composed for you by the talented Tristan Schulze, the inaugural performance is captured on film - a unique memento and an enduring connection to the city of music. Designed by the renowned architect, Theophil Edvard Hansen, the hotel became part of the Kempinski constellation in 2013 following a complete renovation. Hansen’s passion for neoclassicism and history can still be felt in the high ceilings and timeless design, enriched by distinctive pieces of walnut furniture and eye-catching paintings depicting ballet and musical scenes.

Viennese flair is present in every detail, from the traditional horsedrawn ‘fiaker’ carriage waiting at the front of the hotel, to the doorman’s cheery greeting. But the past blends perfectly with the present as you’ll discover in the swift check-in procedures, inroom tablets and bedside coffee machines. Although Vienna’s main sights and hidden gems are only a few minutes away on foot, there are many reasons to linger a little longer at the Palais itself. At Michelin-starred EDVARD, a tribute to the hotel’s beloved architect, you can sample modern Alpine-Mediterranean cuisine in a refined setting. The all-day dining restaurant, Die Küche Wien, has a more laid-back atmosphere with live cooking stations where you can watch talented chefs cook classic Austrian dishes. For local speciality coffee and tea, served with sweet treats such as freshly baked apple strudel, find a cosy spot in the Lobby Lounge to while away an afternoon, before heading to the bar or cigar lounge in the evening. The hotel’s historic charm and striking design continues throughout Kempinski The Spa, where colours and patterns from the Ottoman Empire reflect Vienna’s strategic location on the border between Western and Eastern Europe. Work out in the fitness area then relax and indulge yourself with the luxurious treatments on offer at the spa, which are influenced by the four European seasons. And if you want an inspirational setting for a meeting, celebration, or event, the ballroom and six function rooms can be transformed for occasions big or small.

(*) In partnership with Elisabeth Wolf, founder of Artissimi. Elisabeth crafts professionally tailored cultural tours and programmes. She loves creating unique experiences for her discerning clientele from around the world. www.artissimi.at

Capture the magic of your stay in the City of Music with your own exquisite waltz, composed by Tristan Schulze, when you choose the Kempinski Waltz Time package.

As much a part of Vienna as St Stephen’s Cathedral and the Giant Ferris Wheel, these traditional horse-drawn carriages are a fabulous way to see all the delights this city has to offer. Between 1860 and 1900 there were over 1,000 fiakers in Vienna, and perhaps not unusually for this city of music, their drivers often performed as singers!

Built in the old courtyard of the original building, the serene and beautifully-designed Kempinski Lobby lounge is the ideal meeting place for guests.