Photo courtesy Altstadt Vienna
Commissions may be earned from LuxuryEurope’s affiliate partner links.
Vienna, Austria, is a popular European travel destination filled with countless cultural sights and a diverse range of experiences. Known as The City of Music, culture and art are a big part of Vienna’s unique heritage, along with stunning architecture and historical landmarks.
Visitors can choose from a delightful range of luxury accommodations, including exquisite palace hotels, spa retreats, and a variety of interesting (and luxurious) unique Vienna hotels. A charming and walkable city, Vienna also offers a vibrant epicurean scene. In elegant restaurants and opulent coffee houses, visitors can enjoy some of the best food and drink in Austria.
Whether you choose to stay in a former palace or a chic boutique inn, make the most of your time in Wien. Here are some of our favorite of the many unique hotels in Vienna, Austria.
The Most Unique Hotels in Vienna
Hotel Gilbert
The family-run Hotel Gilbert is undoubtedly one of the most unique hotels in Vienna. This small, sophisticated boutique hotel has been fully refurbished and is ideally located in the center of the city near the Ringstrasse.
Dubbed “Vienna’s green hotel” for its eco-friendly initiatives (as well as vine-covered exterior), the property has been designed to keep the utmost comfort of the guests uppermost in mind, with an open lobby that’s a wonderland of greenery. Plenty of natural light bathes the atrium space and lends to the feeling that you’re relaxing in a green oasis.
The modern, natural décor of the guest rooms follow the clean lines and comfortable style of the hotel, where, so the owners say, “true luxury is in the tiniest of details.” The hotel’s café, Gilbert and Flora, continues the green and pleasant décor and atmosphere and is a soothing place where guests can relax and enjoy their meals.
LuxuryEurope Recommends: To find out more, visit Hotel Gilbert.
Magdas Hotel
Easy going, open-minded, and bold… that’s the Magdas Hotel. One of the most unique hotels in Vienna, it’s one of Austria’s first social business hotels operated by refugees under the guidance of tourism professionals. Set up by the charity Caritas to provide employment and training opportunities for Vienna’s refugees, people from around the world come together as guests, employees, and friends.
The hotel has also done an incredible job incorporating upcycled elements into their décor. Rooms feature color concepts brought in by Architect Daniel Büchel and are decorated with recycled furniture with individual design elements. These include hand-knitted lampshades, vintage armchairs, and wardrobes that have come from the compartments of the Austrian Federal Railway trains.
The Magdas is located between the Green Prater and the Danube Canal in Vienna’s 2nd district and is surrounded by greenery, with the KunstHausWien Museum and the Praterstern Transportation Hub nearby. Enjoy a great breakfast in their spacious, lush garden before setting off for your day. For a special local treat, try their own honey made from the bees on their roof.
LuxuryEurope Recommends: For more details, visit Magdas Hotel.
Hotel Amadeus
The 36-room Hotel Amadeus is located in the 1st district of Vienna in the heart of the Austrian capital. This unique Vienna hotel is a six-minute walk from both Saint Stephen’s Cathedral and the Hofburg Imperial Palace, with trendy boutiques and luxury shopping nearby. The property has earned Trip Advisor’s Certificate of Excellence because of their commitment to excellence from service to décor, and the red and white color scheme adds a touch of passion and excitement to the décor of the guest rooms.
In keeping with Vienna’s rich musical heritage, music-themed elements throughout the hotel add to the design of the elegant rooms and common areas. Continental breakfast is provided daily for guests. While there is no onsite restaurant, there are several amazing cafés and restaurants within walking distance.
LuxuryEurope Recommends: For more details, visit Hotel Amadeus.
Hotel Jäger
Located in the Hernals district of Vienna, Hotel Jäger is steps away from the Hernals rapid transit station and tram station and is situated perfectly for city tours and excursions into the Viennese Forest (the city center can be reached in 15 minutes via tram 43). One of the most unique hotels in Vienna, this charming hotel has been family-owned and operated by the Jäger family since 1911. The 18-room, three-story property offers the unique ambience of an Art Nouveau villa surrounded by an idyllic garden. Each of its rooms and suites is tastefully furnished.
In summer, you can enjoy a buffet breakfast of seasonal delights on the garden terrace. Vegan and gluten-free breakfast items are available, as well as lactose-free milk and soy milk for those with restricted diets. The Bodulo restaurant is within a five-minute walk of the property and offers European, Mediterranean, and Croatian cuisine. The hotel’s bar and lounge area offers an opportunity to enjoy relaxing moments after a day out exploring.
LuxuryEurope Recommends: Find more details, visit Hotel Jäger.
Altstadt Vienna
Located in a renovated historic building in the popular Spittelberg quarter, the sleek Altstadt Vienna is unique hotel in Vienna that’s worth considering for your next visit. A collection of contemporary original artworks by famous artists is displayed throughout the property and adds to the cozy, eclectic, modern, and stylish feel of the boutique hotel, a feeling that’s accentuated by a fireplace in the lobby.
Each of the guest rooms is unique, with no two rooms or suites designed in the same way. Room design was created by different designers from all over the world, each implementing the cozy, stylish, and sunny feel carried throughout the hotel. Between March to October, a rooftop terrace with a self-service coffee machine is available for guest use, and there’s also a cool salon bar onsite with an excellent list of Viennese wines. The Altstadt Vienna also considered to offer one of the best hotel breakfast in Vienna, offering simple but hearty food to start your day.
LuxuryEurope Recommends: To find out more, visit Altstadt Vienna.
Ruby Lissi Hotel & Bar
Located in the heart of Vienna just minutes by foot from the Danube Canal and the Schwedenplatz U-Bahn station, the Ruby Lissi Hotel & Bar is housed in a Neoclassical building that was once a monastery. Named after the well-travelled Empress Elisabeth (Lissi), the lobby area has a travel theme inspired by the numerous travels of the hotel’s namesake. Travel design elements incorporated throughout the lobby include items taken from old railway wagons, steam ships, and even hot air balloons.
The wood wall paneling throughout also reflects the elegance of an earlier era. Vintage-style suitcases, a tufted red velveteen circular sofa, and a tongue-in-cheek “Departures” board add fun to the decor. The hotel offers what they call “Lean Luxury,” a unique, safe, and luxurious experience at an affordable price, cutting out the superfluous and focusing on the essential.
Rooms have a luxurious feel with wooden floors, cherry wood paneling, and wonderful fabrics, along with perfect lighting. Each room also comes with its own Marshall amp speaker and a tablet PC with an integrated online concierge. The hotel bar operates 24/7, where guests can enjoy a selection of Italian antipasti and snacks, beverages, and selected wines, and the musically inclined can even borrow an electric guitar.
LuxuryEurope Recommends: For more information visit the Ruby Lissi Hotel & Bar.
Arthotel ANA Gala I Wien
Located in Vienna’s Alsergrund district, the 4-star Arthotel ANA Gala is only a three-minute walk from the Nußdorfer Straße Metro Station. From here. you can reach the city center in 25 minutes via public transit. Prefer to get around under your own steam? The hotel provides seasonal free bike rentals, too.
The elegant and stylish guest rooms and suites are generously proportioned, with harmonious colors creating a relaxing environment and an oasis to retreat to after a long day exploring the many fun things to do in Vienna. There’s also a breakfast bar for guests each morning. You can also enjoy European, Austrian, and Central European cuisines at the nearby Kaffee Konditorei Monarchie.
LuxuryEurope Recommends: Visit Arthotel ANA Gala I Wien for more details.
Hotel Rathaus Wein & Design Wien
The Hotel Rathaus Wein & Design Wien is located just behind the Vienna City Hall, the Austrian Parliament, and the Ringstrasse, and is one of the most unique hotels in Vienna… especially for wine lovers. Every afternoon and evening wine and snacks are served in the wine-lounge, the courtyard garden, or on the upper floor terrace. Here, individual wine tastings along with antipasto in the winter garden are a specialty, and every month a “Vintner of the Month” is featured at the on-site wine bar.
The references to winemaking don’t end there, either. Each of the 39 rooms at the Hotel Rathaus is named after an Austrian winemaker, with the specific vintner’s labels silk screened on each door to identify the room. For a special touch, the mini bar inside each room carries the wines from the room’s namesake.
The décor details are Euro-Modern, with each room furnished slightly differently. Rooms are sleek with minimalist wood furnishings and large windows that let in an abundance of light, and trendy bathrooms feature wine-based cosmetics. For a little extra indulgence, reserve the large attic suite, which comes complete with a beautiful private rooftop terrace.
LuxuryEurope Recommends: For more details, visit Hotel Rathaus Wein & Design.
Theaterhotel & Suites Wien
The Theaterhotel & Suites Wien is located in the city center just a few minutes from the historic district, with m many of the city’s main attractions within an easy 20-minute walk of the hotel. This charming 4-star boutique hotel has 54 traditionally decorated rooms, each with contemporary touches added throughout. All come with their own kitchenette, and the private bathrooms have deep soaking bathtubs, perfect for soothing and relaxing after a long day out exploring.
The hotel has a close connection to the historic Theater in der Josefstadt, initially established to bring in customers to the former tavern where the Theatrehotel now stands. Guests were drawn by such illustrious personalities as Ludwig van Beethoven and Johann Strauß.
Theaterhotel Wien has a very retro feel, with a visit to the Belcanto bar being a little like stepping back in time with its red leather bar stools. Intermezzo, the hotel’s coffee bar, sits at the front of the hotel opening to a bright garden terrace. For an extra fee, guests can enjoy the large buffet breakfast available daily. The on-site spa has a sauna, solarium, and treatments for pampering during your stay. A concierge service can help organize daily activities in the city.
LuxuryEurope Recommends: For more information, visit Theaterhotel & Suites Wien.
Hotel Astoria Wien
Hotel Astoria Wien is centrally located near Karntner Strasse, Vienna’s most popular street for shopping and strolling… and exactly 193 steps from the Vienna State Opera. Built in the early 1900s, the property suffered some damage during WWII but has been renovated several times since. Just past the grand exterior, the elegant classic décor of the interior carries on the old-world feeling. Guest rooms exemplify Vienna’s culture of gemütlichkeit… the ultimate cosiness, comfort, and relaxation.
The large, comfortable rooms include classic, turn of the century furniture and a pillow menu for ultimate pillow comfort. The elegance is carried through to the spacious marble bathrooms. The hotel has no restaurant on-site, but there is a bar as well as a breakfast room. A daily buffet continental breakfast is served every morning.
LuxuryEurope Recommends: Visit Hotel Astoria Wien for more details.
______________________________
Contributor Rossana Wyatt is a travel blogger specializing in family and solo travel that includes teens and the 50+, as well as specialty diets. She is also a member of the International Travel Writers’ Alliance). Visit her website at www.lifeisfullofadventures.com.
