The hotel became an instant hit with the aristocracy and became a popular meeting place, since it was centrally located for the Korso restaurant.

In 1894, the waltz king Johann Strauß II celebrated his 50-year stage anniversary at the hotel.

After World War II, the hotel housed Soviet troops from 1945 to 1955.

The hotel reopened for regular business in 1958, but was sold to the Austrian government.

Ten years later, All Nippon Airways purchased the hotel and began an ambitious reconstruction.