August 26, 2008
KEMPINSKI OPENS FIRST PROPERTY IN PRAGUE
Visitors to the Czech capital will be able to see and stay in the new Kempinski Hybernská Prague hotel which will open at Hybernská Street at Prague 1 in the second half of October 2008.
More than 110 years ago when Prague power engineers first started to supply the city with electricity, Hotelbetriebs-Aktiengesellschaft, a joint stock hotel company was founded in Berlin, and from 1897 on the era Kempinski hotels begins to unfold. The oldest European hotel company today runs 55 hotels and is going to open other 51 in the years to come.
Hotel Kempinski Hybernská Prague opening October 2008 can boast the most spacious luxury accommodations in Prague and thanks to its historic building it has the ambition to become one of the best among other Kempinski hotels around the world.
IBA architects (Ian Bryan Architects) respected the historic value of this listed building, first mentioned in 1493. They preserved not only the original facade of the building, but also some of its interior Baroque elements. Seventy five modern and spacious en-suite apartments sprang up on the area of 3500 square meters. A renowned group of architects and interior designers created a style of timeless elegance throughout the project. The furnishing of the apartments is the work of the London company RPW Design, famous for first-rate fittings of the highest standard, as seen in Ritz Carlton Hotel, Gran Hotel Miramar in Barcelona, presidential suite in the Okura Tokyo hotel, Palm Brach Casino etc.
The walls of this building hide a colourful history. A member of Emperor’s Privy Council and the High judge of the Land Court, i.e. one of the eminent lords of the Czech kingdom, lived here in the 16th century. After the end of Thirty years’ war the house was acquired by a an Emperor’s sheriff, baron Vratislav of Mitrovice who joined several adjoining buildings and created a vast palace complex which still surrounds one of the most attractive parts of the hotel – an interior garden spanning 1800 square metres which will become an oasis of calm in the middle of the busy city centre. The ground floor formerly housed five vaulted bedrooms, a master kitchen, utility rooms, stables and coach depots. The age of the most illustrious splendour of this aristocratic town residence ended in 1834 when the object was taken over by the count Jan of Lobkovice. He decided to adapt the abandoned palace into a utility. In 1924–1927 František Kavalír designed a generous post-cubist reconstruction for the Gremial insurance house and the Commercial and clerical insurance house. This object, approved on 28th December 1928, then served long years with only unimportant modifications as a health centre.
And so, Kempinski Hybernská Prague is now poised to become part of a rich heritage. It is situated not only in the heart of Europe, but also in the very heart of the city, in close proximity to major historical and cultural sites, as well as the key business and arcades.
About the hotel
Europe’s oldest luxury hotel group, Kempinski Hotels was founded in Germany in 1897. Kempinski’s impressive portfolio of distinctive properties includes historical landmarks, unique hide-away resorts and vibrant city hotels throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South America and Asia. Rich in tradition, each Kempinski hotel celebrates the local culture and customs of its destination whilst maintaining the impeccable personalised service for which Kempinski is renowned. Put simply, they are the first choice for the discerning luxury traveller.
As a valued private-sector member of the Stop TB Partnership, Kempinski is proud to support the Luis Figo Campaign to Stop TB through the distribution of campaign postcards in guest rooms, explaining how tuberculosis, if it is diagnosed and treated with effective medication, is curable. We share the Stop TB Partnership’s vision and goal of a TB-free world.
Kempinski is a member of the Global Hotel Alliance. Based on the airline alliance model, Global Hotel Alliance is the world largest alliance of independent hotel brands. It uses a common technology platform to drive incremental revenues and create cost savings for its members, while offering enhanced recognition and service to customers across all brands. GHA currently comprises Anantara, Cham, Dusit, Kempinski, Landis, Leela, Marco Polo, Omni and Pan Pacific, encompassing 160 upscale and luxury hotels with over 46,000 rooms in 41 different countries.