11 Best Boutique Hotels In Vienna

Stacked with grandiose, magnificent structures right next to another, the Austrian capital of Vienna always radiates Habsburg extravagance. This holds true for boutique hotels in Vienna as well, many of which exude storybook splendor. Staying in a boutique hotel was certainly one of the highlights of visiting the “City of Music,” as this city is also known. Think fancy restaurants and bars, staff in elegant uniforms, and bespoke, modern amenities. From modernist experimentation and Art Nouveau to baroque glitter, Vienna’s boutique stays have it all.

What’s more, exploring this wonderful city, which is home to expansive green spaces, imperial 19th-century century, a wonderful cafe culture, and a lively, contemporary art scene, was an absolute delight. In fact, it’s also home to the world’s oldest zoo, Tiergarten Schönbrunn, as well as the State Opera House, one of the world’s most amazing opera houses.

So, it comes as no surprise that Vienna is one of Europe’s most-visited cities. So, what are you waiting for? Here’s a detailed guide to staying in the best boutique stays that Vienna has.

Hotel Sans Souci Wien

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We begin with Hotel Sans Souci Wien, which is as lighthearted as the name suggests — it’s French for “without a care.” Tucked in the city’s contemporary Spittelberg arts district, this laidback yet upscale boutique hotel was exactly what we were looking for. Did you know that it’s also one of Vienna, Austria’s top gay-friendly hotels?

The 1872-built structure was thoroughly contemporary on the inside — interiors are by Philippe Starck. Even then, the whimsy was relatively contained in the form of the occasional graphic flourish, all complemented by luxe finishes, parquet floors, and memorable modern furnishings. We loved relaxing and unwinding at the fully-equipped spa, although there was a fitness center too. A casual yet stylish restaurant, which served Austrian and international fare, rounded out the offerings at Sans Souci.

The spacious rooms and suites were an extension of the public spaces, with artwork by well-known artists and elegant interior design. What’s more, they were equipped with parquet floors, iPod docking stations, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and luxuriously indulgent bathrooms with bathrobes.

Imperial Riding School Hotel

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Don’t confuse the Imperial Riding School Hotel with Vienna’s Spanish Riding School of horse ballet fame. This blockbuster of a hotel has lived former lives as a Habsburg military riding school, the city’s largest cinema, and even a bus garage! Today, it features remnants of its past lives; think original columns and portico, vaulted ceilings, and grand, monastery-like interiors, but still feels very intimate.

This is one of the handful of Viennese hotels that has a garden, which is the Emperor’s former orchard and is bursting with blooms in the summer. On the inside, the hotel is akin to a salon with breakaway alcoves, sprawly furnishings, geometric rugs, and Klimt-style mirrors. We loved sipping drinks at the sleek bar with hoop-like, swirling light installations, but loved the brasserie-style restaurant and little corner coffee shop too. Our favorite, though, was the garden-facing swimming pool and small spa, which were the perfect places for relaxing.

The equestrian theme runs throughout the hotel, but rather subtly, like hoofprint carpets leading to the digs, which sit in the new wing. Albeit small, they’re all stylishly decked out with green-marble bathrooms and wood details with covetable bath products from St Charles Apothecary.

Hotel Imperial

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We got swept away in a whirl of pomp and circumstance at Hotel Imperial; think marble floors, chandeliers, and a fleet of liveried footmen. One of the city’s most spectacular properties, this hotel has seen the odd head of state and the occasional emperor and empress as its eminent guests. In fact, the guest books are huge fun – the list was as socially connected as one could possibly get!

We swept up the royal staircase, an overture in marble, to be led to spaces filled with life-sized portraits, antiques, and vintage objets d’art. The army of blue-uniformed concierges and bellhops is led by Michael Moser, Imperial’s head concierge for the last 35 years. In fact, he even conducts the most entertaining historic tours of the structure, so don’t miss that. What’s more, they could arrange for anything we wanted, whether it was restaurant reservations or opera tickets. Finally, the dining scene comprises the Imperial Bar, the wood-paneled Opus restaurant, and the 30s-style Imperial Café.  

The rooms and suites are full of chintz: think flock wallpapers, velvets, and maximalist drapes. What’s more, they’re all decked out lavishly with parquet floors, antique knick-knacks, high-tech mod-cons, and cascading crystal chandeliers. If you’re looking for some serious imperial oomph, go for the junior suites or higher. That’s why it’s also one of best hotels in Vienna, Austria?

Hotel Sacher

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Hotel Sacher is a destination to dress up in your finest fin-de-siecle outfits. In fact, if there’s any Viennese boutique stay that can have its cake and eat it too, it’s this one. That’s because it’s famous for one of Vienna’s most enduring edible icons, the apricot-and-chocolate Sacher Torte, which it bakes to the tune of 360,000 annually!

That being said, there’s more to this 1876-opened hotel than just cake. Ruled by Anna Sacher for decades, followed by the Gürtler family in the 1960s, it has an eminent guest roster, having hosted everyone from Justin Bieber and John/Yoko to JFK. Its amenities are befitting of its stature as Vienna’s only family-run five-star hotel, starting with the spa. In fact, we could book chocolate-themed massages and even wash ourselves with chocolate shower gels in the bathrooms! Finally, two ornate dining spaces and bars on the property wind up the amenities here in style.

The rooms and suites are equally theatrical, swathed in French wallpaper, statuettes, and velvet drapes. What’s more, they have famous artwork, elegant furnishings, valuable antiques, and mod-cons aplenty: smart TVs, minibars, sleek bathrooms, and the like.

Rosewood Vienna

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Rosewood Vienna sits right on Petersplatz in a neoclassical oomph of a structure. It’s been embellished and reimagined to the point that the surrounding Art Nouveau treasures and statues almost seemed to nod in approval.

We were impressed right off the bat, especially since the first-floor check-in in a salon led to a drawing room with floor-to-ceiling foliage; think bombs, ferns, and butterfly-bright, vivid tropical flowers. The brand is very good at creating destination restaurants, and its Viennese outpost is no exception. Moreover, the newly-opened fifth-floor Asaya spa, with the experienced Nadine Kaindl at the helm, was the perfect place to unwind. Did we mention that staying here allowed us to do a crash course of sorts in Viennese wines? Yes!

The rooms and suites blew our minds, feeling like royal boxes looking out over the city, complete with remote-controlled blinds. What’s more, the views were excellent, including from the freestanding bathtubs in the sleek bathrooms. Meanwhile, the rooms had British-hued furnishings, brassy Art Deco flourishes, and all the high-tech mod-cons you can imagine. of a novelty to mention here.

The Hoxton Vienna

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A boutique hotel in Vienna that thinks outside the box is the Hoxton Vienna. In fact, none of the city’s boutique stays has made as much of an impact as this one. Imagine this – a humdinger of a structure in the former Austrian Chamber of Commerce-turned-midcentury classic one, complete with a striking glass and green travertine facade.

As soon as we entered, the double-height lobby, filled with foliage and natural light, greeted us. Lipstick red sofas, eye-catching botanical abstracts, bold prints, and Art Deco geometrics meant that this hotel had had fun while drawing on local history and design for its aesthetic. We especially loved the rooftop pool – it’s an absolute standout. However, the main action takes place in the restaurant and the two bars, a speakeasy in the basement, and one on the rooftop. The fact that the pool sits right next to it is a bonus.

The zany designs find their way into the rooms and suites too, with local photography, 50s prints, and ruched headboards. Of course, mod coins like flat screen TVs, plush beds, and luxe bathrooms were a mainstay in all the digs. Since this is a Hoxton, the rooms felt like personable spaces for some well-deserved downtime, even kitted out with architectural maps for exploring.

Ruby Sofie Hotel

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Best value for money. The Ruby Sofie Hotel is an inexpensive and frill-free boutique alternative in Vienna, but with all essentials and creature comforts. When a fire destroyed the formerly (in)famous Sofiensäle —baths and a dance hall — here, the structure cleverly integrated the main hall and the original Art Nouveau facade, the only things that could be salvaged. The idea here is “Lean Luxury,” with the main focus being on fun design and amenities.

Hence, the service here is relaxed but with an attentive and warm staff. What’s more, we even got discounts at the excellent fitness studio that also shares the premises, while the Library has an iMac workstation. Even though there’s no restaurant, there’s a fairly substantial buffet breakfast and a fifth-floor Galley Kitchen, which has a huge vending machine.

We had the choice of 77 rooms and suites in 3 different sizes: Loft, Wow, and Cozy, ranging from the most spacious to rather small 15 sq. meter ones. Nevertheless, they all had comfy mattresses, solid oak floors, and sleek bathrooms with all-glass walk-in showers. Did we mention that all rooms had Marshall guitar-amp-and-sound systems? Yes!

Hotel Motto Vienna

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Most historical. Paris and Vienna come together at Hotel Motto Vienna, which is a bar-setting example of a boutique hotel that’s been done up well. Not only does the hotel tap into Vienna’s storied history, but it also does it with a sense of fun and a liberal dash of French-inspired glamour at that. The location in the fashionable 6th district couldn’t be more perfect; one of the city’s main shopping thoroughfares, Mariahilfer Strasse, is right around the corner.

There’s been a hotel here continuously since the 17th century, and the current 6-storied structure from the 19th century has been modernized gently. Overall, the vibe is one of tasteful modernity, with a mash-up of 1920s Vienna and Paris. Aside from an efficient, cheery, and helpful staff, the hotel also has a small fitness center and a unisex relaxation room with a steam bath and a sauna. Its standout amenity, though, is the Instagrammable restaurant and bar, which serves all meals. Of course, our favorite was the shopfront and outdoor seating place Molto Brot, which sold coffee, delicious pastries, and loaves.

Choose from 91 rooms across Petit, Chic, Deluxe, and Suites, all of which boast custom-made furnishings and mostly face the courtyard. Nevertheless, they all had smart TVs, free Wi-fi, cocktail kits, tea and coffee-making facilities, and bespoke bathrooms. While some of the larger rooms had floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies, the eight suites even had kitchenettes and baths.
 

Hotel Rathaus Wein & Design

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The new-wave boutique Hotel Rathaus Wein & Design is well worth raising a toast to. Sitting in a beautifully converted 19th-century townhouse on a quiet street, the location in the happening yet untouristy 8th district, Josefstadt, is peaceful and yet brilliantly central.

On the inside, the vibe is wonderfully relaxed and swings between the old and the new with ease. Not only does it retain original elements such as the cage lift, the spiral staircase, and the high, stucco ceilings, but it also has 21st-century, streamlined interiors, framed photos of Austrian vintners, pops of bright colors, and sleek backlights. Besides the attentive service, we loved the courtyard garden where we’d enjoy a glass of wine and even breakfast in the summer months. As oenophiles, Jorge’s Bar was our go-to spot. Not only was there a multi-storied car park right opposite the hotel, but we could also hire city bikes from the hotel. Our absolute favorite, though, was that breakfast was served until midday.

We love the minimalist-style, parquet-floored rooms and suites, each of which is named after a famous Austrian vintner. What’s more, they all came with sleek mod-cons – plush beds with pillow menus, slippers and robes, grape-infused bath products and minibars, and tea and coffee anytime we wanted.

“Not only was breakfast until midday, but so was checkout. What more could we ask for?”

WOW Travel

Hotel Beethoven Wien

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Best themed boutique hotel. We embraced the rich musical heritage at the graceful Hotel Beethoven Wien. The location couldn’t be better – it faces Theater an der Wien, where musical maestro Beethoven once lived as he composed his opera Fidelio. Owned and operated by the charismatic classical music lover, Barbara Ludwig, the hotel’s interiors draw inspiration from historical photographs, engravings, theater programs, stage designs, and limited-edition books.

We love the delightfully low-key atmosphere, which felt warm and homely at the same time. The pretty, plant-dotted courtyard was perfect for enjoying breakfast on sun-kissed days. Before stepping out to experience Vienna’s nightlife, we’d sip on drinks at the gold-kissed, stylish Lvdwig Bar. What’s more, the elegant, glass world lounge would have free coffee, tea, and Viennese pastries on offer. If you’re here on the weekend, don’t miss the wonderfully intimate and free music concerts happening at the Bösendorfer grand piano at 5:00 pm on Sundays.

Spread across six floors, rooms and suites here vary wildly in style. However, they all featured marble tiled bathrooms with slippers, bathrobes, and walk-in rain showers, with some even featuring freestanding bathtubs. Of course, every room was designed individually with quirky touches, but they all had creature comforts.

The Guesthouse Vienna

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Best overall. Sitting at the top of the list is the Guesthouse Vienna, a member of the Design Hotels group. The design ethos here is calm, relaxed, and luxurious, while also being uncluttered, modern, and supremely comfy. This student house-turned-boutique hotel was designed by British designer Sir Terence Conran and has an unbeatable, heritage-packed District 1 location.

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On the inside, the vibe is thoroughly 20th-century Vienna Secession and its modernist successors. We loved the friendly and warm staff, who not only had sightseeing tips but also room card holders ready for us, which included highlights and a map of Vienna’s historic center. This extended to in-room materials too, which had suggestions for coffee houses, restaurants, art galleries, classical music concerts, and opera shows. A highly attentive staff, a 24-hour reception, valet parking, exclusive day passes to a nearby fitness center, and the all-day Brasserie & Bakery that also served delicious breakfasts rounded up the amenities here. Did we mention that doggies were welcome here, and they got dog cookies and free beds? Yes!

All rooms and suites boasted designer furnishings and trinkets, along with earthy-hued walls, oak-wood floors, and even a small library. We especially loved the luxe, marble-tiled bathrooms, which had bath products from the Austrian organic brand, March, walk-in rainforest showers, and bathtubs. There were even generous minibars, with complimentary four wine bottles, beer, and soft drinks. Oh, and every room had an espresso machine stocked with beans from local roasters, Nabar.

Our Verdict!

While we loved all of Vienna’s boutique stays, here are the best of the lot:

• Best value for money:
• Best location:
• Best hotels for xxxx:
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Where to Stay in Vienna?

Straddling the Danube, the Austrian capital of Vienna is as outdoorsy as it is urban. It’s officially the world’s greenest city, it packs an enormous cultural punch, and it boasts an excellent cycling network and public transport system. So, we could zip from one neighborhood to the others via bikes, tram, or U-Bahn in a matter of minutes. Even then, you need to decide where you want to stay.

We begin with District 1, a.k.a. the Innere Stadt, which is the historical center of Vienna. Not only is it in the middle of all the action, but it is the action. Besides the excellent public transport system, it’s also home to all the major attractions and has a lively atmosphere. Secondly, there’s Karlsplatz and Naschmarkt, which are the best areas for art treasures, boho wives, and street food. In fact, they have a smattering of clubs, pubs, cocktail bars, street food stands, and markets.

Next, there’s Prater and the areas east of the Danube, which are excellent for families. One of Vienna’s most hip and happening neighborhoods, Leopoldstadt, the city’s Jewish quarter, is bookended by the Danube River and the canal. This creative corner is also home to the Danube Island, one of the world’s most amazing artificial islands. It has artsy cafes, galleries, restaurants, boutiques, graffiti art, and canalside beach bars. Did we mention that they have one-of-a-kind boutique hotels and B&Bs? Yep. Culture vultures will love Neubau and the Museum District, which are just a joyous skip away from the Innere Stadt. Here, the streets are positively fizzing with creative energy.

Finally, there’s the area from the Schloss Belvedere to the canal, to some of the highest parks in all of Vienna.

Which is the most affordable boutique stay in Vienna?

That would be the Ruby Sofie Hotel, which has frill-free comforts in the most design-centric way possible.

Is there any offbeat boutique stay in Vienna?

Try the Imperial Riding School Hotel; you won’t be disappointed.

How many days are enough for exploring Vienna?

While three days are enough to see Vienna’s main sights, staying for four to five days also allows you to do day trips.