Vienna is a cultural city where the old and new seamlessly blend. Whether you're a…
Where to Stay in Vienna, Austria? Here Are the Top 7 Hotels
Planning a trip to Vienna? You’re probably wondering where to stay in Vienna, Austria. Here are the top 7 hotels in Vienna, Austria.
Vienna is Austria’s capital. And like most big cities, it’s made up of neighborhoods (districts). Whether you’re visiting for a few days, a week, or longer, the best district to stay in Vienna, Austria is the city center, Innere Stadt, Vienna’s first district.
By staying in the city center, you’ll be closer to the sightseeing, attractions, and shopping. And lucky for you, lots of hotels.
Because there are so many hotels, I saved you a bunch of work and narrowed down the list to the seven best hotels in the Vienna City Center.
You’ll find everything from luxury to budget accommodations to hotels with checkered pasts as a former brothel, spy headquarters, and more in our pick of the best hotels in Vienna, Austria.
Here are other articles to help prepare you for your trip to Vienna:
- Top 5 Things You Must Do When You Visit Vienna, Austria
- How to Get Vienna Opera tickets for 3 Euros
- Free Things to Do in Vienna
Contents
Where to Stay in Vienna, Austria: Top 7 Hotels
There are hotels for every budget in Vienna, Austria. From the money is no object to the I’m pinching pennies traveler, you’ll find several Vienna city center hotels that meet your needs.
Here are some of the best places to stay in Vienna. There are many amazing hotels in Vienna such as the Ritz-Carlton and the Hotel Sacher Wien (home of the famous Sacher torte).
But these seven hotels are unique each with a history, unlike any other hotel. I included links to rates and reviews so you can find the best hotel rates in Vienna for your travel dates.
1. Grand Ferdinand
If only these walls could talk. Housed in the former headquarters of the Austrian Secret Service, the Grand Ferdinand is an 188 room boutique hotel on Ringstrasse, just minutes away from the Vienna State Opera and St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
The Grand Ferdinand combines luxurious old world elegance with a funky modern twist. Think glass showers and no closets.
But don’t let the word “luxury” scare you, there are rooms for every budget, including luxury hostel dorm rooms.
Highlights of this hotel include a rooftop infinity pool (summer only), tropical garden, fitness center, and seventh-floor suites with views of the giant Ferris wheel (Wiener Riesenrad). Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel including the rooms and dorms is included.
If staying in former spook building doesn’t get you revved up, you can rent the Jaguar owned by Formula 1 legend Niki Lauda’s grandfather or a Maserati Quattroporte (winter).
Pro-tip: No coffee maker or tea pot in room.
Check Rates & Reviews: Booking.com | TripAdvisor
2. Palais Coburg Residenz
Photographer: Tina Herzl
Ever dreamed of sleeping in a palace? You can when you stay at the Palais Coburg Residenz.
The former palace once occupied by Russian soldiers during World War II is a luxury boutique hotel of 32 suites each uniquely decorated and named after nobility.
And we’re not talking suites, like Embassy Suites. But suites that invoke visions of grandeur. One and two story suites complete with a kitchen.
Hotel highlights include the two-Michelin-starred Silvio Nickol restaurant (reservations required), six wine cellars, garden, and a glass-enclosed restaurant in the garden. A la carte breakfast and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel including in the suites is included.
Don’t expect to wander around aimlessly if you aren’t a guest at the Palais Coburg. Security is tight, possibly because of their safety deposit box rentals in the vault room.
Pro-tip: 307 Antoinette Suites has three balconies and a stunning view of St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
Pro-tip: Some suites are two levels so review the floor plan if you have mobility issues before booking your room.
Check Rates & Reviews: Booking.com | TripAdvisor
3. Park Hyatt Vienna
You’re surely thinking, “Wait, what? In the top 7 hotels in Vienna, one of the oldest cities in Europe, you’re including a Park Hyatt?” Yes, yes, I am. Here’s why…
Location, location, location. The Park Hyatt Vienna is steps from the finest shopping. Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Yves St. Laurent and Prada are literally around the corner.
Prior to being converted into the Park Hyatt Vienna, the building was a bank.
Despite its stuffy beginnings, the Park Hyatt Vienna is far from boring and staid. A Coco Chanel inspired staircase leads you from the lobby to the Pearl bar.
Where else can you swim in a former bank vault lined with gold bar shaped tiles?
Hotel highlights include indoor pool built in the bank vault. Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel including the rooms is included.
We stayed at the Park Hyatt Vienna and absolutely LOVED it!
Pro-tip: The breakfast buffet is worth it. Get up early or you may find yourself lingering until late morning.
Check Rates & Reviews: Booking.com | TripAdvisor
4. Grand Hotel Wien
The Grand Hotel Wien has a long storied history. It was the first luxury hotel in Vienna and was the meeting place for the secret love affair between Crown Prince Rudolf of Habsburg and Baroness Mary Vetsera which resulted in a murder-suicide.
Despite the role the Grand Hotel Wien played in the eventual end of the Habsburg dynasty, the 50-year celebration of the waltz was held at the hotel.
And for 10 years after World War II, Russian troops lived at the hotel. Ironically, the Grand Hotel Wien was the former headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency which advocates peaceful use of nuclear weapons.
Highlights of the hotel include the Michelin-starred Le Ciel by Toni Morwald restaurant and a block from the Opera House. Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel including the room.
Pro-tip: If you have allergies, ask for a refurbished Superior Room (they have wood floors instead of carpet).
Check Rates & Reviews: Booking.com | TripAdvisor
5. Hotel Imperial
The former home of the Duke Philipp of Wurttemberg, the Hotel Imperial is believed to have employed Adolf Hitler during his youth.
Because of its central location in the heart of the city and close to all attractions, the Hotel Imperial was the headquarter for the Russian military after World War II.
The hotel has housed dignitaries like Queen Elizabeth II and was where Simon Wiesenthal (concentration camp survivor who dedicated his life to hunting Nazis) celebrated his 90th birthday.
Hotel highlight is the Imperial Torte (tart) chocolate truffle provided to all guests.
Pro-tip: The Hotel Imperial is the only hotel in Vienna that offers personal butler service.
Check Rates & Reviews: Booking.com | TripAdvisor
6. Hotel Sacher Wien
The decor at the Hotel Sacher Wien is a blend of old and new. And like many of the first hotels in Vienna, it was occupied by the Russians after World War II.
Used as a horse stable by the Russians, the Rote Bar is now a restaurant. Directly across from the Vienna State Opera, you won’t have far to walk to see a performance.
Hotel Sacher Wien was the inspiration for the movie, “The Third Man.”
Highlights of the hotel are the Sachertorte and 19th-century art gallery. Free Sacher kids program suites named after operas
Pro-tip: The free Sacher kids program includes a bathrobe, slippers, bathing set, DVDs, board games, and Sacher Teddy bear.
Check Rates & Reviews: Booking.com | TripAdvisor
7. Hotel Karntnerhof
The Hotel Karntnerhof is a 44 room boutique hotel near St. Stephen’s Cathedral that was once a brothel after World War II.
The hotel’s decor combines Viennese Art Nouveau with touches of French and Italian influence and original hardwood floors.
Hotel highlights are the rooftop terrace with city view and art collection. Free breakfast buffet and Wi-Fi are included.
Pro-tip: The hotel private parking lot is only open from 6 am to 9 pm.
Check Rates & Reviews: Booking.com | TripAdvisor
Conclusion
If you’re wondering where to stay in Vienna, Austria and want to stay at the top hotels, you’ve come to the right place.
The hotels were selected because of their central location close to shopping, attractions, and public transportation.
But also for their unique past like a former spy headquarters to the meeting place for a secret love affair that ended in a murder-suicide.
Read these posts before your trip to Vienna:
- Top 5 Things You Must Do When You Visit Vienna, Austria
- How to Get Vienna Opera tickets for 3 Euros
- Free Things to Do in Vienna
What are your favorite hotels in Vienna?
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Oooh – these are all gorgeous places to stay! I am all about the luxury when traveling, but also love that old world vibe. Maybe one day I’ll travel to Vienna! It looks incredible!
I would love to stay a Hotel Imperial. We’ve visited Vienna a few times, but we’ve never had the opportunity to stay there.
The second one looks so pretty!
They are all so beautiful!
How did you know I’ve always wanted to visit Austria!? My parents went there for their anniversary and hearing about it as a child made me really want to go there! I will have to check out these hotels when I finally get there!
Awww, I would really love to go to Vienna. It is my dream. That place looks amazing and I always hear great things about it. Thank you for sharing this list! I would love to check tehm out.
I am DYING to go!! Your pictures are BEAUTIFUL!!! Sharing with husband… hopefully in the future!
All these places look gorgeous! I’d be happy to stay at any of them.
A list worth keeping for later! My bucket list is a mile long – so long that I haven’t even gotten around to adding it all to my blog! But Austria is on it, so hopefully this list will come in handy someday soon.
I’ve never been to Vienna but have always wanted to go. The hotel Imperial looks amazing!
They all look incredible but Hotel Imperial looks incredible, it reminds me of a 17th century palace, so ornate. I love the sound of Vienna x
It’s been years since I was in Vienna and I’m dying to go back. So many beautiful hotel options. Wish I could remember where I stayed! All these hotels look amazing and worth visiting.
Wow! You have a great collection of wonderful hotels to visit and stay in while stay in that beautiful country! i would love to visit Vienna one day. It is one of my top “Have To Visit” places on my bucket list.
I would stay in any hotel if I could take a trip to Vienna! How beautiful all those hotels are. Great reviews.
Vienna is definitely on my bucket list. Thx for the list of recommendations for accommodations.
I’d love to stay at the Grand Hotel Wien. It looks awesome and elegant! Maybe one day I’ll get to travel more than I do now…between home and the grocery store 😛
Those hotels are had different services and they’re all awesome! The Hotel Imperial look so neat.
These hotels are breathtaking! I think I’ll add them all to my bucket list! But if I had to choose just one – Palais Coburg Hotel Residenz.
Vienna looks absolutely beautiful! I’ll have to go sometime. I love how each hotel on your list has its own unique look and feel.
Most important point made here is like buying a house, it’s all about location! And I loved the comment about “Where else can you swim in a former bank vault lined with gold bar shaped tiles?” as that’s clearly something you can’t do anywhere else.
Each one of these hotels look gorgeous. I would have a difficult time deciding which one to stay in 🙂 But thanks for listing them up, this makes our search narrower and easier
All looks wonderful hotel! But If I will have to visit & stay there then I will go for Grand Hotel Wien. Thanks for sharing.
Vienna, Austria is not yet in my travel bucket list but it may be in the future. These are awesome hotels to stay at. The Grand Hotel Wien looks sooo luxurious and beautiful.
Would love to go Vienna. Definitely on my bucket list.
Thanks for the great list. I would love to travel there someday and it is nice to know what the best places are that we can stay at.
All of the hotels look lovely, I like the idea of staying in a palace but the Hotel Imperial looks to be one that we would enjoy. It’s quite elegant as well as being central make this place on the top of our list in the future in Vienna
I love Vienna!! All this hotel are beautiful 🙂 If i go again, i will stay at Imperial for sure !! Thanks for sharing
I would absolutely kill to spend a few weeks in Vienna and stay in all of these places, what gloriously over the top places to lay your head.
All of these hotels look so stylish! I’ve never visited Austria but this post is making me reconsider that!
I wish I was planning a holiday! This is a great guide and I’m sure it will help many who are planning there travels 🙂
I love love the picture for the Grand Ferdinand! You’ve included so many interesting details. I love knowing the history behind a building!
I would love to go there, the hotels are just gorgeous!
These photos are great! This looks like a perfect trip I can’t wait to go!
omg! this is perfect! i have couple of friends who plans to come and visit this country on 2017! this is a good start for them to plan
Those hotels are absolutely beautiful. I have been wanting to plan a trip to Vienna for a while, maybe if I show my partner these hotels, he’ll finally agree 😉
I love your take on the review. Really refreshing to consider unique hotels and not just run of the mill bland ones. Always love your Pro-tips. The Hotel Karntnerhof sounds really interesting. Amazing how buildings can transform right 😉
Wow! What a nice place to visit with the whole family. I would love to stay in any of the hotels mentioned. They are all beautiful.
Mhaan | http://www.mommyrockininstyle.com
The hotels are so amazing. I would have a tough time choosing where to stay if I was ever in this area. Each hotel has their own look and feel.
Ohh I love these hotels! I had Italy and Greece on my travel bucket list, but I will be adding Vienna too. Those hotels look like Old World movie sets- the fact that real history is woven into the walls is so cool.
I’ve been to Viena a couple times and it’s absolutely beautiful! Sadly I haven’t been to any of these hotels though, I’d love to as well
Going to explore Austria is on my bucket list. I am hoping to get there in the next few years.
I would be pretty excited to stay at the Palais Coburg Residenz in Vienna. It would be my first time staying in a palace like that!
I took a quick trip to Austria but certainly didn’t stay in any hotels like this! These are amazing and that pool is insane!
They all look very beautiful, but the price may be a lot too I would assume. Not really sure but looks as if they would be. Wouldn’t mind visiting Austria though.
Thanks for putting this list together! I’d love to see what the luxury hostel dorm rooms look like in the Grand Ferdinand. Plus, I think it’d be really cool to stay in a place that was former headquarters of the Austrian Secret Service. You can’t say that every day!
Those hotels look fabulous! I hope to visit Vienna, Austria someday with my husband and son and tour Europe as well. Dream big, right? 🙂
I have never been to Austria. After looking at all these beautiful places I am going to have to add it to my bucket list. Then I will visit after I check off a few bucket list items.
A Trip to Vienna would be awesome. I’ll take a fancy 2 story suite please! Lol.
I have always dreamt of staying at the Palais Coburg Residenz and I honestly wish to visit Vienna in the near future. Thank you so much for this hotel guides it will definitely be useful!
I’ve always wanted to visit Austria, it seems so lovely! All of these hotels sound and look amazing, but I’d really love to stay in Hotel Imperial!
These places all look like great choices. I’d love to go to Vienne and this is the just the list that I’ll need.
The architecture of these hotels is just amazing! I think it’s awesome to be able to stay in any one of these! They’re all so lovely both inside and out and thanks for the details of each one!
Vienna is definitely on our bucket list. It sounds like we will have our work cut out for when it comes to picking accommodations since all of the ones you have listed sound amazing.
These all look so fancy and amazing!
I’ve always wanted to visit Australia! These places looks absolutely amazing!
The photos of the hotels make you want to visit all of them! I think I would love to stay at Hotel Imperial.
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Very informative post. Austria is like a picture and plan to visit in future. This will really help!!
Great bunch of hotels you compiled right there! Vienna seems wonderful, can’t wait to go. Hotel Ferdinand’s hotel has me right there!
I’ve been to Vienna once, but since it was only for a day I definitely should come back and explore more! These hotels look fabulous, staying at any of them would be really pleasant. no doubt. My favourite is Grand Ferdinand – that pool sold it to me! Plus, it is not every day that you get to enjoy luxury hostel dorms 🙂
How stylish are the photos!!! Love them all!!
What an amazing travel destination! My mom visited when she was in her 20’s and loved it. I have never been, but would love to one day!
These are all such great hotel recommendations for Vienna! I would so love to visit one day, definitely bookmarking this!
I would love to go to Vienna, and know when I do I will come back to this post to help me decide where to stop! You’ve found some really lovely hotels and shared some great tips. I really like the look of the boutique hotel.
I can’t wait to visit Vienna when I go to Europe next. The Palais Coburg Residenz is definitely on my list of places to visit, but this post just gave me a few more ideas.
Those look like some great hotels! Thank you for the information!
Great list of amazing hotels. I will visit Vienna in the spring on my Viking River Cruise but unable to stay at any of them.
I love this! I’m dying to travel with my family this year.
I have a few places on my bucket list and I’m definitely adding this to the list!
All of these hotels look beautiful! I definitely need to put this destination on my bucket list.
Wow! Traveling with my family can be so fun we love doing it but it costs so much money. So thanks for the tips to help!
All those hotels look very luxurious. I like the look of Hotel Karntnerhof.
Thanks for these awesome tips. I want to travel with my husband so badly! One day we will be able to vacation somewhere beautiful like this!
Ooooo so many fabulous places to stay in Vienna!!! I have never been, but hopefully my travels take me there one day!
Sounds like a good place to visit and the hotels was so nice. I’d love to go there soon
Dream destination right there! I would love to stay at the Palais Coburg Residenz. It looks so luxurious!
Vienna is such a beautiful place, I would love to go! These photos and hotels look incredible!