Villa Pétrusse welcomes guests with charm, comfort, and culinary excellence

Villa Pétrusse is preparing to welcome its first guests on Monday, 16 June. Nestled at the edge of the Pétrusse Valley, this 19th-century mansion has undergone an extensive restoration.

The project was initiated by the parent company of La Luxembourgeoise, which also owns Hôtel Le Place d’Armes in Luxembourg City. According to Arthur Carvas, who oversees the group’s real estate and hospitality activities, the aim was to both expand the company’s luxury offering and breathe new life into a part of the city’s forgotten architectural heritage. The total investment reached around €40 million.

The ambition behind the project was to integrate this historic building into the capital’s high-end hotel scene without compromising its original character. Carvas noted that the main challenge lay in updating the technical infrastructure, while keeping the historic integrity intact.

A bit of history

Originally built in 1880 by Luxembourgish architect Pierre Kemp, and known as Villa Baldauff, the mansion is a listed heritage property and an integral part of Luxembourg City’s architectural history.

As you can read here, the villa was originally commissioned by French industrialist Eugène Kerckhoff. At the time, the Luxembourgish government aimed to attract long-term investors by permitting the construction of prestigious villas around the capital’s parks, and this one was among them.

The villa later came into the hands of the Baldauff family through the marriage of Albert Kerckhoff's widow to François Baldauff, which gave the residence its long-standing name: Villa Baldauff.

Historian Robert Philippart explained that original features such as ceilings, fireplaces, wood panelling, doors, antique floors, and even period paintwork were all carefully preserved and restored, using historical documents as references.

The renovation was closely monitored by the National Institute for Architectural Heritage (INPA), given the building’s listed status in the city’s development plan. In the restaurant area, visitors will find frescoes depicting scenes of hunting, courtship, and countryside festivities, which are motifs typical of late 19th-century bourgeois aesthetics. The building also features a tunnel connecting its two wings to the former casemates, remnants of Luxembourg’s historic military defences.

The feel of a private residence

With 22 rooms, a standalone private pavilion, landscaped gardens, and several lounges, Villa Pétrusse aims to offer a bespoke hospitality experience that stands apart from other hotels in the capital. Manager Stéphanie Raimbault described the concept as more akin to staying in a private residence than in a conventional hotel.

The venue is designed to appeal not only to international travellers, but also to local guests seeking a refined setting for seminars, private events, or simply to enjoy elevated local cuisine in a distinctive atmosphere.

An exceptional culinary offer

Inside the Villa, the restaurant Le Lys marks the Luxembourg solo debut of chef Kim Kevin de Dood, whose career has spanned several acclaimed Michelin-starred establishments. Returning to his home country, the chef is setting his sights high, with the goal of earning a Michelin star in the near future.

The menu focuses on reimagined Luxembourgish classics, infused with modern elements and occasional Asian influences. De Dood described the restaurant as having a distinctly Luxembourgish spirit, rooted in local ingredients and the heritage of the space. For him, working at Villa Pétrusse is a long-held ambition come true, shaped by years of planning since his hotel school days to eventually open a restaurant in Luxembourg.

The restaurant Le Lys will officially open its doors on 17 June, one day after the Villa’s grand opening.