From Austria to Oman – 45 new Kempinski Grand Hotels worldwide

150 150 Daniel Fountain
  • 0

Kempinski is a worldwide synonym for “grand hotels”: a European company with German roots, predominantly owned by the Thai Crown Property Bureau, currently develops 42 new large hotels with approximately 10,000 rooms around the world. These findings have been derived by TOPHOTELPROJECTS. In Vienna the Palais Hansen is scheduled to welcome its first guests in March. A new luxury resort with 309 rooms arises in Oman. And the announcement for a 150 room luxury hotel in North Korean’s capital Pyongyang causes a sensation.The Kempinski Hotel Palais Hansen is located in a heritage-protected ancient building, which is currently being transformed. All three open space patios will be roofed by glass-sky-windows. The lobby lounge, which is located in the middle of one the patios, will be the hotel’s centre point. The rooms will be sized between 40 and 45 square meters, suites will measure up to 300 square meters (presidential suite). This hotel will be Kempinski’s first property in Vienna.

Kempinski will also build a high-class resort In Oman’s capital Muscat. The hotel with 309 rooms, located at the beach, is part of the large construction project “The Wave” and could be finish during the second half of 2015. This hotel project further includes 77 serviced private luxury apartments, 10 F&B outlets, swimming pools, a spa, a beach club and all the comforts and amenities that can be expected in a premium high-end hotel. Construction, executed by the project developer Omani Hospitality, could already start this spring. But first of all, according to the press, the construction still needs to be bought. It is planned that “The Wave” will offer four top hotels, among them a Fairmont Resort.

The intention to build a Kempinski hotel in Pyongyang created lots of excitement. North Korean, not really known for its prosperous economy, favours an internationally known hotel operator such as Kempinski for the 337 meter high hotel pyramid. The construction started 20 years ago and will be North Korea’s highest hotel. Negotiations with the Egyptian tourism project developer Orascom (developer also of the hotel project “Andermatt Swiss Alps”) are currently on-going. As per today it is not possible mention any expected opening date for this 150 rooms hotel project.

Daniel Fountain / 30.01.2013

Editor, Hotel Designs

Share

  • 0

Fun fact: I’m usually the person friends rely on to organise trips, schedules, and group plans.

Workhighlights: Successfully coordinating events from planning through to delivery and seeing everything come together on the day.

Fun fact: I’m a keen cyclist and will happily bore people with copious amounts of cycling chat. My top cycling experience (so far) would have to be riding in the spectacular mountains of Crete.

Work highlights: Charles joined Forum Events in 2022. With a background in publishing, editorial media and events, Charles brings a wealth of experience to his role as Senior Production Manager. Having being involved with SPACE from the outset, he is excited to see the brand grow and develop.

Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

Fun fact: Katy has spent years perfecting all kinds of accents and loves a good impersonation!

Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher at SPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.

Together these platforms offer a comprehensive 360-degree service encompassing digital media, print publishing, and live events – providing unparalleled value to advertisers, partners, and readers alike.