Kempinski Signs First Property in Slovenia
|
Kempinski Signs First Property in Slovenia
|
Category: Europe - Slovenia - Industry economy
- Hotel projects
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2008-06-12
Historic Hotel Palace Portorož to open under Kempinski management in 2008
Kempinski Hotels announces its first property in Slovenia. Europe’s oldest luxury hotel group has signed an agreement with Istrabenz Hoteli Portorož d.o.o.
to manage the historic Hotel Palace, at the very heart of the cosmopolitan tourist town of Portorož, renowned for its mild climate and a century of spa traditions.
The hotel, which dates back to 1910, is completing a five-year restoration programme and is scheduled to reopen during 2008, with an historic building and a newly built modern section. The Kempinski Palace Portoroz will offer 185 spacious and superbly furnished rooms and suites. The property is set to be Slovenia’s leading luxury hotel - a true landmark.
Kempinski Palace Portoroz embodies the ‘old meets new’ concept by incorporating the different architectural styles which influenced the historic building as it was built, from Secession, Art Nouveau and Bauhaus to cubism and Art Deco, all the way to today’s modern style. The 185 rooms and suites are located in both the renovated historic Palace building (107 rooms) and the newly built section (78 rooms). The Palace also houses the property’s restaurant, including a champagne bar, a unique historic ballroom, state-of-the-art conference and event facilities, shopping and the Presidential Suite. The modern section is where the wellness and recreation facilities are located. The hotel’s wellness philosophy is inspired by the use of roses (Portorož means ‘port of roses’) as well as salt and will be based on aromatherapy, with personalised treatments available after an interview with a specialized homeopathic doctor. The hotel’s extensive park was declared a “Monument of Landscaped Nature” in 1983 and is being recreated along the original designs. The southern part of the garden will feature a pool and a wooden terrace with palms and pavilions.
“We are very proud to add this historic jewel to Kempinski’s portfolio. Kempinski Palace Portoroz recalls Portorož’ glorious days at the turn of the previous century as a top resort destination. Careful renovation brings this luxury property firmly into the 21st century, once more making it a top destination for the affluent traveller,” said Reto Wittwer, President and CEO of Kempinski Hotels. “This new project perfectly complements the Kempinski Hotel Adriatic, in the same bay, just half an hour away, in Croatia. It gives the distinctive traveller the choice to enjoy a vibrant city atmosphere in Portorož, Slovenia, or tranquillity in what will be Croatia’s leading luxury resort”, added Rupert Simoner, Regional Vice President Southern Europe of Kempinski Hotels.
Tourism in Portorož began in 1885 as natural result of the region’s climate, sea water, brine and phango mud. The Hotel Palace was built in 1910, to host aristocratic visitors to the resort. Portorož, together with Gradež, the Venetian Lido and Opatija, belonged to the most important European seaside bathing areas and health resorts of the time. When it opened, the Hotel Palace was, together with Hotel Excelsior in Venice, the most beautiful and biggest hotel on the Adriatic Coast. After the Second World War, the Hotel Palace hosted the famous casino of Portorož. At the end of 1983 it was declared a cultural monument and finally closed in 1990. In 2003, Istrabenz Hoteli Portorož purchased the hotel with the mission of restoring the building and once more making the property a synonym for the highest levels of quality and service in the region.
|
|
