SalonSlovenija_zdruzeno_ZA TISK_01.indd

8
Priznanja in praznovanja | Congratulations and commendations
9
Hotel Kempinski Palace
STOLETNICA PALAČE PORTOROŽA
CENTENARY OF THE PALACE OF PORTOROŽ
Arhiv/Archive Kempinski Palace Portorož
Podoba Portoroža konec 19. stoletja se danes zdi kot slika romantično
navdahnjenega slikarja. Z zelenimi vrtovi, majhnimi hoteli, promenado,
priljubljenim javnim kopališčem in z nadvse zdravilno klimo
severnega Jadrana je slovel kot eno najlepših letovišč v tedanji
avstro-ogrski monarhiji.
Leta 1910 je sredi Portoroža zrasel luksuzen hotel Palace in že ob
njegovi otvoritvi je bilo jasno, da bo postal zbirališče družbene smetane,
saj so se sprejema udeležili številni člani tedanje avstrijske elite. Takoj
za beneškim Excelsiorjem, drugi največji in najlepši hotel na Jadranu,
je ponujal poleg čudovitega eksotičnega vrta in vsega razkošja, ki
pritiče najzahtevnejšim gostom, še garažo, električno napeljavo,
napravo za hlajenje prostorov, kar je pred stoletjem predstavljalo pravi
prestiž. Slava mogočnega Palacea je privabljala v Portorož obiskovalce,
željne pridiha mondenosti, od blizu in daleč. Mnogo svetovljanov,
državnikov, filmskih in glasbenih zvezd vsega sveta se je zvrstilo v
njem: Josip Broz Tito, Marcello Mastroiani, Orson Welles, šahovski
mojstri Mihail Talj, Tigran Petrosian, Robert Fischer je le nekaj velikih
imen, ki jih je v svojih sijajnih sobanah gostil hotel.
A njegova slava je sčasoma postajala le še spomin in leta 1990 so ga
zaradi dotrajanosti zaprli. V svojem nekdanjem sijaju je končno oživel
leta 2008, po dolgotrajni in zahtevni prenovi, rekonstrukciji in dozidavi.
Ponovno pa ga je v svet modernih luksuznih hotelov ponesla umestitev
v priznano hotelsko verigo Kempinski.
Ob stoletnici bodo vse leto 2010 v hotelu Kempinski Palace vsak
mesec pripravljali prav posebne dogodke, od glasbenih prireditev,
literarnih večerov, likovnih razstav, gala plesov in gledaliških predstav,
za vse, ki želijo portoroški Palace spoznati od bliže in obujati spomine
na njegovo bogato preteklost.
www.kempinski-portoroz.com
The postcards of Portorož from the end of the 19th century paint an
idyllic picture. With its green gardens, boutique hotels, promenade,
popular public baths and balmy climate of the northern Adriatic Sea,
Portorož once enjoyed the status of one of the most beautiful holiday
resorts in the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
In 1910, the magnificent hotel Palace was built in the heart of Portorož
and from the moment of its opening – a gala event attended by the
crème de la crème of the Austrian aristocracy – the hotel’s eminent
status has never been in doubt. The Palace was one of the largest
and finest hotels on the Adriatic coast, second only to the Excelsior in
Venice. Apart from the usual splendour and extravagant hotel grounds
featuring numerous exotic plants, it also boasted a car-parking facility,
electricity and air conditioning, which in those times constituted true
marks of prestige. The glamour of the Palace and the sophisticated
atmosphere it exuded drew visitors to Porotorž from far and near.
Predictably, the Palace with its opulence was the preferred choice of
accommodation for countless cosmopolitans, dignitaries, movie stars
and prominent music artists. Josip Broz Tito, Marcello Mastroiani,
Orson Welles, chess grand masters Mikhail Tal, Tigran Petrossian,
Robert Fischer are just some of the celebrities who at some point
enjoyed the hotel’s lavish hospitality.
Sadly, over time the hotel was allowed to fall into disrepair and by
1990 had become so dilapidated that it had to be closed down.
However, its spirit would not be defeated and after a lengthy and
challenging renovation, reconstruction and augmentation, the pride of
Portorož was eventually restored to its former glory in 2008. Becoming
part of the prominent hotel chain Kempinski has allowed the Palace to
reclaim its rightful place in the world of modern luxury hotels.
To celebrate its centenary in 2010, the Kempinski Palace will host a
number of events from concerts, literary evenings, art exhibitions, to
balls and theatre shows designed to allow the visitors to revel in its
beauty and reminisce about its glorious past.
Arhiv Archive TZ Portorož
Arhiv/Archive Kempinski Palace Portorož
Arhiv/Archive Kempinski Palace Portorož
Revija Salon Slovenija Magazine
Revija Salon Slovenija Magazine