The Benchmark- Hotel Imperial — Restaurant in Vasai-Virar

The Hotel Imperial's façade is in the Italian Neo-Renaissance style. The top of the building contains a stone balustrade that frames heraldic animals from the Württemberg coat of arms. The main entrance portal contains four statues that are also symbolic. The original portal was wide enough for a two-horse-drawn carriage.

The hotel's interior furnishings highlight the nineteenth-century Viennese elegance with ornate marble, hand-carved statues, and massive crystal chandeliers. In the lobby, the Royal 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 Altstadt skyline. The building was designed by architect Arnold Zenetti and built under the direction of Heinrich Adam in 1863. Initially, it was planned as the city palace (Stadtpalais) and residence of Duke Philipp of Württemberg (1838–1917) and his wife Maria Theresa (1845–1927), née Archduchess of Austria; its original name was Palais Württemberg. The Duke and the Duchess, however, did not enjoy their new home for long. After moving there in 1866, they sold it five years later.

For the 1873 Vienna World's Fair, the palace was converted into a hotel. In 1928, two storeys were added, but the original architecture is still very much in evidence and is an integral part of the luxurious atmosphere.

Over the years, the Hotel Imperial has had numerous famous guests, including Queen Elizabeth II and Charlie Chaplin. Dignitaries and royalty from around the world have stayed at the Imperial. It has had some infamous guests as well. Adolf Hitler, who worked at the hotel as a day laborer during his youthful period as a virtual tramp in Vienna, returned as an honored guest following the 1938 Anschluss. Benito Mussolinistayed at the hotel during World War II with considerably less fanfare, being shepherded through the back door on September 13, 1943, following his spectacular rescue by German paratroopers in Unternehmen Eiche (Operation Oak).

The Imperial was acquired by Compagnia Italiana Grandi Alberghi (CIGA) after Prince Karim Aga Khan acquired the company in 1985 and began expanding its presence—which was purely Italian up to that time—into Spain and Austria. In 1994, the Starwood Hotels and Resorts took over CIGA and transformed it into its brand, The Luxury Collection, an assemblage of historic and venerable hotels in Europe that includes the Imperial.

The Imperial was partly owned before the war by Samuel Schallinger, who was forced to sell in 1938 due to the Nazi persecution of Jews. Schallinger died in 1942 at the Theresienstadt concentration camp near Prague. Simon Wiesenthal, a Jewish Austrian survivor of the Nazi death camps who dedicated his life to documenting the crimes of the Holocaust, celebrated his 90th birthday at the Hotel Imperial in 1998 with a kosher dinner party. “Look, even the chandeliers are shaking,” said Wiesenthal at the dinner. “Hitler is gone. The Nazis are no more. But we are still here, singing and dancing.”

Today, the Hotel Imperial is, perhaps, Vienna's most exclusive five-star hotel. Guests of state typically stay at the hotel, such as the Emperor and Empress of Japan on their visit in 2002. Marjana Gaponenko's novel Who is Martha? (New Vessel Press, 2014) is set in the Hotel Imperial. Its protagonist, a 96-year-old ornithologist, checks into the Elisabeth Suite, where he lives his last days in luxury, befriending hotel...

Had visited this restaurant few days back and as their name is "Benchmark" they have really set a benchmark for their dishes. The menu was something new and tasted few of them. . In the 📸 . Alishan Murg!! Chicken breasts are such a supper staple that it's often hard to think of them as anything special, but let me tell you: Splitting chicken breasts and filling them with your favourite ingredient makes them extra- ordinary. If you love combination of Cheese & Chicken then this is the perfect dish for you. Chicken breasts with cheese sealed inside will impress you.

Chilli Basil Prawns!! Eating is a need, enjoying is an Art. I am not a seafood lover but I couldn’t take my eyes off from this tempting dish. This basil shrimp is simple and will please anyone who is partial to Thai flavours. The dish comes together quickly and easily in the wok, and the stir-frying method keeps both the juiciness of the shrimp as well as the sweetness of the sauces in the dish! There are two key ingredients to this dish that make it sing, the sweet tangy sauce and of course the prawns

Oriental Chicken Dimsums!! A small casing of dough filled with minced meat and steamed and served with sauce.

Tang with a Twist!! A perfect drink to start your weekends.. 🍹

Masala Papad!! A crispy papad topped with chopped tomato, onion, coriander and with a touch of tongue tickling hot and spicy mix of chaat masala, dry mango powder and chilli powder.

Ambience: Excellent Price: Paisa Vasool

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Will rate on following parameter: Ambience: 4 star

Food: Good catchy names in menu but doesnt justify it. Soup was extremely salty. Malaysian Paneer Sathey was average. Classic paneer chilly was below average.

Service: Very bad. Had to leave restaurant after having the round of starters.we placed the order waited for 20-25 mins but nothing came on table. Moreover, when we gave him a reminder, he started bluffing 10 different options. It would have been ok had he said that he missed our order. we disappointedly asked for bill to which he said okay. In the whole matter he dint apologized or said sorry.

Also, They were asking for feedback from other table when we entered but dint asked us for it during the payment. This proves that all good ratings are biased and misleading.

Would not go again there for sure. Not worth giving them a chance and benefit of doubt. Shameless...