Villa Pétrusse Restored to Former Glory for Fine-Dining & 5-Star Experience

On Thursday 8 May 2025, Chronicle.lu had the opportunity to view the recently renovated hotel and restaurant, Villa Pétrusse, in Luxembourg City (1 Avenue Marie-Thérèse).

Originally called the Villa Baldauff, the building was completed in 1880 and has overlooked the Pétrusse valley for 125 years, surviving the multitude of changes to Luxembourg City in that time. The state awarded the property National Monument status in 2018. In 2017, the property was purchased by the private investment company Compagnie Financière La Luxembourgeoise and for the past five years has undergone both a renovation and a transformation into a five-star hotel and gastronomic restaurant.

Former UNESCO Site Manager at the Ministry of Culture of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Robert L. Philippart, detailed the history of the property Chronicle.lu and confirmed the impact of the building’s National Monument” classification on the redevelopment work. He noted: “It is a great challenge to give the standards of a high-class hotel and of accessibility with preservation. That takes time, but with patience and all the competencies and resources, you can realise such a beautiful thing.” This approach is evident in the building’s details, where elements such as the ornate fireplaces, tapestries and murals have all been meticulously restored to their former glory.

The complex features 22 rooms spread across both buildings, with each featuring distinct decorative touches as well as views of the Pétrusse valley. Original elements, such as the double doors, wooden and tiled floors, staircases and stained glass have all been restored, maintaining a sense of history next to the more contemporary additions made to each of the hotel’s rooms.

A wine cellar is located next to a restored subterranean passage which was discovered during redevelopment of the site. It is accessible to guests and provides access between the villa and a selection of rooms in the pavilion, which overlook the redeveloped gardens of the premises and the fortress wall of the Pétrusse valley. The pavilion also features a series of fitness rooms and a conservatory named after the architect of Luxembourg’s parks, Edouard André.

The hotel’s restaurant, Le Lys, is led by Luxembourgish chef Kim de Dood. Having gained his experience working at a number of Michelin-starred restaurants across France, Belgium and Asia, he is hoping to earn Le Lys a star of its own. His menu incorporates local Luxembourgish ingredients mixed with Asian influences and includes a reimagined take on "Kniddelen" (Luxembourgish flour dumplings) as well as other dishes inspired by traditional family recipes.

The Villa Pétrusse will officially open on Monday 16 June 2025.