The Best Hotels to Book in Vienna, Austria

First opened in 1956 by the Vorarlberg family, who still operate this Austrian hotel today, the Am Stephansplatz has a fantastic central location that puts you on the doorstep of the city’s biggest landmarks. Each room and suite features a contemporary design, with modern furnishings and floor-to-ceiling windows. Make sure you drop by the hotel’s Giacomo Aragall cafe, which serves a delicious spread of fresh pastries, a breakfast buffet and barista coffee.

Found just a five-minute walk from two of Vienna’s most popular destinations, the Ringstrasse boulevard and St Stephen’s cathedral, the Kaiserhof Wien is a charming family-run city centre hotel, perfect for your first visit to the city. Guestrooms include large windows, bathing them in natural light, and offer picturesque views across the city. Ask the dedicated staff for local recommendations for the best eateries nearby.

One of Vienna’s most iconic hotels, the Sacher has welcomed a number of famous faces since first opening its doors in 1876, with patrons including JFK, Naomi Campbell and even Queen Elizabeth II. This is truly a high-class hotel – even standard rooms feature crystal chandeliers and intricately-painted ceilings. It’s also the only place in Vienna that produces a truly authentic sachertorte (each one is stamped with a trademark in chocolate), best eaten with unsweetened whipped cream in their on-site coffeehouse.

Leave behind the modern-day Ringstraße and Schwartzenberg Platz as you step into Hotel Imperial. Inside you’ll find marble floors, grand chandeliers and portraits of the Habsbergs. Built for the family in 1863 as a royal palace and opened to guests in 1873, this 1st district hotel is one of the best in Vienna and caters to those who want to experience history first hand. Be sure to try the Imperial Torte, a cake created for Emperor Franz Josef I to celebrate the opening of the hotel. The recipe is secret, meaning this is the only place in the world you can taste one. How’s that for exclusivity?

Located in the vibrant 7th district, the Altstadt hotel in Vienna is the ideal option if you’re looking for cosy cafe culture, record shops and multicultural foodie hotspots. Each of the 62 rooms has a unique interior, designed by world-famous architects. Think tiger-shaped vases and Eames chairs. One of the Altstadt’s highlights is the hotel’s art collection, with original works by Andy Warhol, Niki de Saint Phalle and Markus Prachensky dotted around the building.

If you’re looking to immerse yourself in Vienna’s culture, why not consider the award-winning Hotel Das Tyrol? It’s perfectly placed in the Museum Quarter, the artistic heart of the city. This Austrian hotel has an extravagant design aesthetic, with bright gold interiors and a huge selection of original artworks on display. Drop by Das Tyrol’s inviting bar, which boasts a carefully curated drinks menu, sourced from local suppliers or produced in-house by their expert mixologist, Hubert Peter.

Fancy a more discreet hotel in Vienna? The type where you can pay by the hour, as well as stay the whole night? Located in the 1st district, Hotel Orient has existed here for 300 years, silently opening its doors to the likes of… well, no one knows for sure, but the rumours speak of emperors, politicians, artists and poets. Its shadowy reputation was cemented when scenes from the classic Orson Welles film-noir The Third Man were shot here in the 1940s. Today, the place is proud of its past; book the Kaiser Suite, where Emperor Franz Josef apparently conducted clandestine liaisons with his lover, or the Bacchanalian-themed Amethyst Suite.

The 25hours is sexy in an aloof, understated way. The guest rooms are funky – think purple bathtubs and clowns on the walls – but the vibe is more cool than crazy. There’s a buzzy rooftop bar, Dachboden, which attracts a hip crowd, and an excellent Italian restaurant on the ground floor. If you do decide to venture out, you’ll find yourself in the heart of the creative 7th district, with its lively cafes and hipster boutique shops.

Just a three-minute walk from one of the main train stations, Westbahnhof, this adorable Vienna hotel is situated in the trendy Neubau district. Expect white walls with splashes of colour, plus a charming rooftop bar with pot plants, beanbag chairs and a view of the city. It’s like sitting on a friend’s (large) terrace, but also has lots of inside space for the off-season. There is also a movie lounge, a yoga room and bikes to rent. Perhaps most importantly, staying here won’t cost you the earth.

The five-star Marriott Hotel in Vienna’s city centre is a great choice for families. Why? It has an indoor pool (not easy to come by in Vienna), and it’s directly across the street from Stadtpark, which has a large kids playground. The hotel also offers family rooms for a relaxed, spacious stay. Picky eaters? Don’t worry, the buffet breakfast is delicious and has something to satisfy all tastes. Adult guests will appreciate the fitness centre and Golden Tree spa.

With solar panels to heat water, LED lighting, eco-showerheads and a discount for anyone arriving by bike or train, the Boutique Stadthalle aims to be one of the greenest hotels in Austria. It’s Vienna’s first energy-neutral hotel, producing as much energy as it uses every year. Located in the quiet 15th district, this is the perfect place to escape the city centre, once museum fatigue sets in. The central courtyard has been landscaped as a green oasis, with lavender to attract bees. As you’d expect from an eco-conscious hotel, the dining options here cater brilliantly for veggies and vegans, although meat eaters will also feel at home.

Hotel Kaerntnerhof, in the heart of the 1st district, just minutes from St Stephen’s Cathedral, proves that the best things come in small packages and the prices are exceptional for the location. Single rooms are small, with simple furnishings and a pale-grey colour palette to create calming little oases. Despite the small size, you still get all the bells and whistles packed in – a work desk, free wifi, a shower and a complimentary breakfast with vegan options. If the weather is nice, enjoy the view from the rooftop terrace.

Sofitel might be an international chain, but its Vienna hotel can compete with any of the boutique options in the city. It features an indoor rooftop bar with an incredible panoramic view, accessed by a jet-black elevator. Located on the lively pedestrian-friendly Donaukanal, and across from the 1st district, this hotel is the perfect place to visit if you are without children. Pamper yourself at the large So/Spa where treatments will leave you buffed, glowing, plumped up and stress-free, ready to explore the city.