Three stars never reflected such class as at Hotel Ampère. A pink stucco exterior reflects traditional French charm. Simple arrangements of orchids on both sides of entry vestibule are an enticing welcome, drawing you into a warm world of pomegranate, sage green and gold. Gentle watercolors in a loose, flowing style grace rooms and hallways.

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Carolyn Proctor, Jetsetters Magazine Editor – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com

Breakfast is served in Imperial Café all morning long and is included for guests of hotel. The Imperial Café combines that famous Vienna coffee house sensibility with luxury of hotel. A generous buffet loaded with fruit, yogurt, baked goods, hot dishes, and a selection of bread and cheese awaits palace guest. An omelet chef will prepare eggs to exactly your liking, and of course there is champagne! The café is a popular breakfast spot for traditional Viennese and known to be place to bring your date for a romantic breakfast. The staff serve coffee, tea, and hot chocolate in Imperial's own china; there's a kind of dollhouse feel to elegant pitchers of warm milk. Naturally you can eat all you want, but it's best to save room for something sweet, as Imperial Café also serves up its very own Imperial Torte.

History tells that Imperial Torte was concocted in honor of Emperor Franz Josef I upon opening of hotel. Legend aside, no hotel worth its name would consider opening a grand establishment without a signature dessert. Austrians have a well-deserved reputation for producing finest desserts in all of Europe. The Imperial Torte is no exception. A multi-layer delicacy consisting of marzipan, cocoa crème, and fine milk chocolate, no visit to Imperial Café is complete without a serving of this delicious cake. If there is one problem with Imperial Torte, it's that it shares space in pastry case with a number of other gorgeous desserts. Decision-making when it comes to Austrian sweets is a trial and only solution is to return again and again until each and every meticulously prepared treat has been sampled. (Don't fret, hotel understands you may over indulge and has added a fitness center on top floor.)

The Hotel Imperial sits right at heart of Vienna's first district. While concierge will be happy to arrange a tour of many nearby sites, glittering Karntnerstrasse is just outside door and best way to explore is on foot. The famous Opera House, Music Hall, museum after extensive museum, and towering St. Stephan's Cathedral, are all just a few minutes walk from door of hotel. (Those wishing to maintain spell of Imperial times must visit Kunsthistoriches Museum to see both extensive collection and palace that houses it.)

Furs and glittering gems decorate windows of Vienna's exclusive shops, and street musicians playing everything from Mozart to gypsy music line promenade. A walk down Karnterstrasse to cathedral is required. Naturally, there are numerous locations on way to stop to buy chocolate or to have coffee and yet another slice of some Viennese treat. Many of shops you'll pass on your stroll opened around time of Imperial Hotel and it's easy to imagine distinguished guests of that time ordering their china or a new chandelier from stores that line pedestrian zone.

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Pam, Jetsetters Magazine Editor – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com