The Luxury Collection by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, a portfolio of exclusive hotels of the famous hotelier, unveiled new facilities in its Luxury Collection Hotel in Vienna. The restoration, which lasted one year and cost the hotelier US$14 million, covers a signature restaurant, a landmark lobby, Imperial Torte Shop, destination bar, Imperial Café, and event space. The renovation in the 140 year old hotel was performed by British designer Alex Kravetz and Austrian Federal Office for the Care of Monuments.
Luxury Collection Hotel Imperial Vienna is one of iconic hotels in the country that can be put in line with Prince de Galles in Paris or The Gritti Palace in Venice. Built in 1863, the building was initially used as private residence of Prince Philipp of Wurttemberg. The palace was soon converted into hotel for the 1873 Universal Exhibition. Hotel Imperial has beneficial location with all main sights of the city, such as the Vienna State Opera, Secession Building, and Kunsthistorisches Museum within a short walk.
Luxury Collection has invested as much as $580 million to restore some of the most famous historical hotels in Europe. The list of recently restored hotels includes the Gritti Palace in Venice, Santa Marina in Mykonos, Prince de Galles in Paris, and Hotel Bristol in Vienna. Excelsior Hotel Gallia in Milan will be opened after restoration in December 2014.