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Palais Coburg
Vienna
First, a few words on the history of Palais Coburg: It was built for Duke Ferdinand Georg August von Sachsen-Coburg, a statesman, nobleman and cavalry general of the Austrian Empire, in the mid 19th century. This is much later than most other Palais in the First District, where palaces usually date back at least to the 18th century.
The architects designed a bizarrely playful, white palace with lots and lots of pillars and on top of the artificial 'cliff' of a city wall bastion. In terms of its style, Palais Coburg is seen to mark the transition from late Classicism to early Historicism. As soon as the building was finished, the Viennese nicknamed it 'Spargelburg' - 'Asparagus Castle', due to the excessive use of thin, white pillars as decorative elements.
Palais Coburg overlooks a part of the Ringstrasse and the trees of the Stadtpark.
Today, it is a luxurious suite-only hotel. The wedding-cake like Palais Coburg was designed to impress in a style that seems to appeal to new money - the hotel is popular with Russian 'businessmen', a certain type of Austrian politicians and 'event' managers.
However, at the ground floor, you will find an excellent but very pricy restaurant - reservations are necessary!
