Best Western Premier Römischer Kaiser
An authentic Austrian palace...
The entrance to this handsome property on Annagasse, now the Best Western Premier Schlosshotel Römischer Kaiser, bears the year 1684, when it was built by Johann Hueber, the Imperial Minister of Finance. 1684 is a significant date in the history of the Viennese capital, marking its rebirth after finally defeating the besieging Ottoman army. The city suffered great losses during the war, but all the houses on Annagasse that had been burnt to the ground were rebuilt to their present-day glory.
It was at this time that the city's pastry chefs who wanted to celebrate this victory, created a pastry in the shape of a Turkish crescent ("croissant") that is still made today. It was a time when the Austrian people felt renewed confidence and expressed their enthusiasm wholeheartedly, notably through art, architecture and faith. The crowned Madonna holding a sceptre whose sculpture adorns the hotel's facade above the crescent moon symbolises the duality of heavenly and earthly forces. The Baroque style was to triumph here more than anywhere else, at the same time as the birth of the soul of the Viennese capital. Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach designed Schönbrunn Palace and the Imperial Library, while Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt built the Upper Belvedere Palace, the façade of which is strewn with sculptures and whose apartments are adorned with frescoes and stucco. The Best Western Premier Schlosshotel Römischer Kaiser is a magnificent example of this flamboyant, ornate style. The term Baroque is derived from the Portuguese word "barroco", which literally means "strange" or "imperfect". The result is a certain spontaneity and exuberance of lines, volumes, colours and gilt work, expressing a voluntarily impressive strength of mind.
This same conquering temperament was exerted over the stars. Around 1700, an observatory was built on the roof of the property by Leander von Anguissola, an engineer who was for many years the director of the Imperial Academy of Engineering, whose headquarters were located here. Today the observatory has been converted into a conference room.
In 1775 the Camesina family acquired the property as their home. Emperor Franz Josef I, husband of Empress Elisabeth, popularly known as "Sissi", appointed Albert von Camesina as Curator of the Imperial Commission for the Restoration and Protection of Historic Monuments. The Viennese often refer to the hotel as the Camesina House, in recognition of the work carried out by Albert von Camesina who saved many Viennese palaces from destruction. He certainly played a decisive role in preserving the unmistakable charm of the Best Western Premier Schlosshotel Römischer Kaiser and its Baroque furniture, crystal chandeliers, silk-lined walls and the cosy ambience of the breakfast room, etc.
The most turbulent era in the history of this ancient house, converted into a hotel in 1907, was during the Second World War, at the end of which it was plundered. The Jungreuthmayer family, devoted to preserving the establishment for over a hundred years now, has masterfully managed to satisfy the demands of modern-day hostelry (the hotel is entirely air-conditioned and equipped with state-of-the-art multimedia technology) without forgoing the establishment's priceless historic significance. For example, the family entrusted Gianni Versace, whose Baroque exuberance is known throughout the world, with the task of reconciling Austrian Baroque with modern comforts in the entirely refurbished bathrooms.
A night in one of the hotel's junior suites or in one of the "Bohemian" rooms beneath the eaves is a unique experience. The walls are adorned with original works of art and each decorative detail is authentically touching: the moulding and cherubs of the ceiling fresco at the top of the stairs are truly exceptional, as are the lion's head fountain or the sculpted masks above the first-floor windows.
Vienna Opera House, just close by, has been staging prestigious performances since 1869. It was on an initiative by Mahler, its conductor, that the hall was plunged into darkness for the first time so that the spectators could better concentrate on the music. Music is indeed an essential aspect of Viennese life. Beethoven composed many of his masterpieces here. It was in fact in front of Saint Stephen's Cathedral that he realised in despair that he had become totally deaf, when he saw the birds flying out of the bell tower, clearly disturbed by the bells that the composer himself had not heard. You will hear them with emotion, whether you are in one of the lovely parks of the Ring or sitting at the terrace of the Best Western Premier Schlosshotel Römischer Kaiser on Annagasse, savouring the soul of the city as you sample a hot chocolate and a croissant.
| Best Western Premier Römischer Kaiser |
| Annagasse 16, Vienna, Austria - A-1010 |
| Phone: +43 (0) 1 51277510 Fax: +43 (0) 1512775113 |