In mid-June, Villa Pétrusse opened as a boutique luxury hotel near Luxembourg’s city centre, blending rich heritage with elegant, warm hospitality in a beautifully restored, green setting.
The story of Villa Pétrusse begins in the wake of the 1867 Treaty of London, which led to the dismantling of Luxembourg’s fortress. Freed from its military bastions, in 1880 the land became home to Henri-Eugène de Kerkhove—a prosperous textile merchant. He commissioned architect Pierre Kemp to design his residence, while the romantically landscaped gardens were entrusted to Édouard André, famed for his work in Paris, including Buttes-Chaumont.
According to historian Robert Philippart, the villa was conceived as a “miniature château”, blending classical references and Henry VII styling with then-groundbreaking features: hygiene, privacy, women’s boudoirs, private salons, a pleasure pavilion. It is a house where even the curtain shadows seem to whisper secrets.
A visit to the kitchen, nestled in the basement, brings the weight of centuries into palpable focus. Down a narrow staircase, its stone steps are worn and irregular—nearly polished by generations of servants’ feet. One striking detail: the old, solid wood door still closes with a commanding thud. This sharp sound is no architectural quirk; it was a signal—announcing the imminent arrival of the lady of the house, giving the staff just enough time to stand upright, compose themselves, and wear a smile as ceremonious as an imperial court ball.
Restoration Rooted in Heritage
In 2017, after nearly three decades of dormancy, La Luxembourgeoise Real Estate Company, led by François Pauly and Pit Hentgen, acquired the property with one ambition: to give the villa a second life—true to its spirit, yet in harmony with the demands of modern hospitality.
At the helm is Arthur Carvas, Director of Real Estate and Hospitality Operations, overseeing every detail. Hidden staircases, the Bourbon Salon, a restored underground tunnel leading to a pavilion now transformed into guest rooms—each element has been reconsidered with a commitment to fluidity, respect, and quiet charm. The lift is discreet, glass partitions blend seamlessly, and movement between staff and guests is virtually silent—save for the ever-present hum of imagined stories echoing through the walls.
In the courtyard lies a subtle nod to the villa’s industrial heritage: original locomotive rails have been lovingly preserved with near-museum reverence. An elegant scar in the stone, a noble trace that reminds visitors—history here is not erased, it is revealed.
A Table Curated by Kim de Dood
Taking the lead of the villa’s restaurant, Le Lys, is acclaimed Luxembourgish chef Kim de Dood. A protégé of Robuchon and seasoned by Asian influences drawn from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, his cuisine is both refined and vibrant—anchored in precision and emotion. Every plate is crafted as a statement: aesthetic harmony, flavour balance, and delicate nuance.
Villa Pétrusse offers far more than a luxurious bed in sumptuous surroundings. It is a home designed to be lived in, explored, and shared. Guests will find a discreet fitness room (because one can love brunch and burpees), an exceptional wine cellar, private lounges for meetings or celebrations, and a suite of adjoining rooms. Special mention goes to the penthouse—ideal for extended stays or a refined city escape just minutes from the centre.
Event hosting is also elegantly catered for: the ephemeral conservatory can accommodate up to 80 guests. A stylish retreat for weddings, garden parties, or seminars that wish to dodge the rain without sacrificing charm—or the view over the park.
A Woman’s Touch
Leading the villa is Stéphanie Raimbault. A graduate of the École Hôtelière de Lausanne with experience at Four Seasons properties in Geneva, London, and Los Angeles, she embodies the quiet elegance that defines the finest addresses. At once exacting and gracious, she conducts her team of 40 like a symphony—attuned to the subtlest detail.
With nearly €2 million invested per room, Villa Pétrusse forgoes flashy extravagance in favour of lasting excellence. There is no rush for rapid returns. Instead, the project embraces a heritage-driven, almost philosophical ethos: to open this historic gem to the world without compromising its soul. To champion a sincere, elegant form of hospitality—deeply rooted in the past, yet with eyes wide open to the future.
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