Hotel Imperial
The Hotel Imperial, also known as The Imperial, is a five-star luxury hotel in Atlantis, Diadochia. It is located on the Poseidonion, Atlantis' circular street.
Description
The Hotel Imperial facade is Italian Neo-Renaissance. The top of the building contains a stone balustrade that frames allegorical animals. The main entrance portal contains four statues that are also symbolic. The original entrance in the 19th century was big enough for a two-horse-drawn carriage to pass through it.
The hotel's interior furnishings highlight the nineteenth century Atlantean elegance with ornate marble, hand-carved statues, and massive crystal chandeliers. Stepping into its doors takes a person back to the nineteenth century when imperial court splendor knew no bounds. In the lobby, the Imperial Staircase leads up to suites and rooms that are also illuminated by magnificent chandeliers hanging from the high stucco ceilings. The hotel's private balconies offer views of the Atlantis skyline.
History
The building was designed by architect Mario Constantini in 1858. Initially the lavish hotel was planned as the city palace and residence of important members of a cadet branch of the Imperial Family of Diadochia, however they, did not enjoy their new home for long. After moving there in 1861, they sold it five years later in 1866. For the Atlantis Exhibition it was converted into a hotel in 1868.
On May 24, 1868, the new Hotel Imperial was inaugurated in the presence of Emperor George VII and his wife the Empress Elizabeth, for the Atlantis Pandosian Exposition of 1868. The hotel, since its opening, has housed numerous guests, including members of the Imperial Family of Diadochia, Dignitaries, foreign royalty, and famous personalities and personages.
On the ground floor of the hotel is the Café Imperial, a traditional luxury establishment that has attracted prominent guests for more than a hundred and fifty years. The Hotel Imperial guestbook with prominent signatures is presented in the main lobby.
Imperial Cake
A house specialty is the Imperial Cake, which is made according to a secret recipe of natural ingredients (marzipan , chocolate milk). The cake has cooled for at least eight weeks durable and is shipped in wooden boxes, everywhere in the world.
The confection comes in either a plain pinewood box or a cardboard box (for shipments), each containing a single cake or group of small cakes. Imperial Cakes vary in size, from ones that are the size of an individually wrapped candy to others that are the size of a small regular cake. A complementary Imperial cake box is provided to each guest room and additional boxes can be ordered from the hotel for shipment. Nowadays, imperial cake boxes are sold alongside other Imperial products, such as teas leaves and coffee beans (labelled "Imperial Teas and Coffee") and other varieties of chocolate confections. The Hotel Imperial ships its products worldwide, as the chocolate have been cooled for at least eight weeks and can maintain freshness for three whole months.
According to legend, a kitchen boy named Georgios Alexander Laganas created the Imperial Cake for Emperor George on the occasion of the opening of the hotel in 1868.
