"The Ritz-Carlton inspires life's most meaningful journeys" - Aiming to bring this brand vision to life, a new 149 square metre Signature Suite has opened at the Schubertring 7 address. Two elegantly furnished bedrooms, a picturesque balcony overlooking Schwarzenbergplatz, luxurious marble bathrooms, a walk-in closet and a private dining room for dining with up to eight people with an adjoining kitchenette invite guests to linger. With "The Ritz-Carlton Albertina Suite" an overall concept was realized, which translates the elegant interior and design of the former Ringstrasse Palais into today's world, without losing the special charm of a private apartment. The exclusive cooperation with the ALBERTINA, one of Austria's leading art museums, gives the suite its special character. Five classic masterpieces from the Batliner collection, elegant interiors and city history merge to create a hotel experience of a special kind.

Every place has a story

The initiative for the cooperation with ALBERTINA was provided by the credo of The Ritz-Carlton's design strategy: "Every place has a story". The history of the historic Palais Ötzelt, in which the newly designed suite is located, is one strongly influenced by art. During his lifetime, Anton Ötzelt, the owner, builder and architect of the palace of the same name, became an avid art collector and used it to house his extensive and important collection of paintings. By integrating five masterpieces from another important private collection, the Batliner Collection of the ALBERTINA, the suite once again becomes a private art gallery. Anton Ötzelt, who is considered a pioneer of Viennese residential construction, consciously aimed for an aesthetic unity in his work, which was also taken into account in the overall design of the suite. High-quality materials such as parquet flooring made of smoked oak, wall panelling made of oil-soaked walnut, aged brass and black glass combine with the elegant furniture, curtains and carpets to create a harmonious overall picture. Curated in collaboration with the ALBERTINA, the paintings are an exciting cross-section of the collection and the various currents of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism. As with the interior, attention was paid to creating the aesthetic unity Ötzelt was striving for. For the bedrooms, calming motifs with expressive colours by Marc Chagall and Emil Nolde were chosen. In the dining area there is a lively dance scene by Edgar Degas, which encourages an atmospheric dinner, and in addition the main work by Monet, which has been incorporated into the wooden decor of the wall and resembles a view out of the window in Monet's garden in Giverny.

A masterpiece on all levels

"I am always thrilled by how much works of art fill the atmosphere of a room with life," says Jürgen Ammerstorfer, who has been the new general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Vienna since 01 July 2020 and is delighted with the successful collaboration: "The timeless cooperation with the ALBERTINA has succeeded in creating an expressive impulse that touches and inspires our discerning guests in the long term. The "touch points" created with the masterpieces of Classical Modernism define for me the hotel experience of the 21st century, which goes beyond a simple overnight stay and offers travellers much more of a comprehensive experience." It is these and other "touch points" that will accompany guests on a journey through art. With a suitcase easel and a Ringstrasse sketch to trace, everyone can become an artist in "The Ritz-Carlton Albertina Suite." The illustrated books and catalogues about the exhibitions available in the suite serve as inspiration and the guests can take their own sketch of the view of the Ringstrasse with them as a souvenir of their stay. As a guest of "The Ritz-Carlton Albertina Suite", one also becomes a VIP member of the ALBERTINA for the duration of the stay and enjoys complimentary admission to the museums, including skip-the-line tickets, as well as participation in exclusive events and exhibition openings. "For me, art should take on much more of a leading role in the hotel industry, as it has the ability to revolutionize the design of spaces." says Ammerstorfer. In line with this mission statement, the general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Vienna is keen to open up the hotel even more profoundly to artists in the coming years.

Picture credtis: The Ritz Carlton, Matthew Shaw