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ew cities effortlessly blend history and modernity quite like Vienna. Along with its heritage in classical music and fine arts, the Austrian capital’s walkability and bustling café culture have placed it high on the list of “most livable cities in the world,” according to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Index. The best hotels in Vienna showcase the city’s many charms in their décor, architecture and cuisine.
To select the best accommodations in Vienna, I drew from my own personal stays in the city and spoke to Mary McCormack, an Austria specialist at Audley Travel, for key insights. My top recommendation is the contemporary and luxurious Rosewood Vienna. History buffs will appreciate the grand interiors of Hotel Imperial, while boutique lovers should book The Leo Grand or Hotel Motto. Below, the best hotels in Vienna in 2025.
Who Will Love It: Travelers seeking a well-appointed stay near top historic sights
All-Star Amenities: Complimentary house car; Dyson hair dryers; butler service; 24-hour room service; spa with sauna and steam bath
Set in a meticulously restored 19th-century building where Mozart once lived, the Rosewood Vienna immerses guests in the heart of the City of Music. The neoclassical landmark has a prime location on Petersplatz, a lively square dominated by St. Peter’s Cathedral, musicians and horse-drawn carriages. While the hotel is stone’s throw away from all of the top sights, it also offers a peaceful atmosphere when you need a reprieve. Inside the 99 rooms and suites, you’ll find Art Nouveau-style furniture upholstered in heritage fabrics, parquet flooring and designer lighting. The 1,916-square-foot presidential suite is particularly impressive, with a balcony overlooking Petersplatz. For even more views and tranquility, head to the Asaya Spa, which unfolds under archways across the fifth and sixth floors, or the rooftop terrace where you can appreciate the dome of St. Peter’s Church with a cocktail.
Who Will Love It: Well-heeled travelers looking for the royal treatment
All-Star Amenities: Butler service; private balconies with city views; 24-hour room service; pet-friendly amenities; turndown service
Originally built as a palace, this grande dame property on Vienna’s Ringstrasse (Ring Road) was converted into a luxury hotel in 1873 — just in time for the World’s Fair. Over the years, Hotel Imperial has hosted almost every head of state and celebrity imaginable, from Queen Elizabeth II to Charlie Chaplin. Thanks to the preservation of its elaborate details like the Royal Staircase, crystal chandeliers and carved statues, a stay here truly feels like stepping back in time. The property’s 138 rooms and suites range in size and grandeur, but for a truly dazzling stay, book a suite — The Royal Suite is the most stately, with 23-foot ceilings and perks like butler service and a free-flowing minibar. Champagne breakfast buffets, afternoon tea and Friday jazz nights make the hotel a magnet for locals and travelers alike. Even if you don’t stay here, you’ll want to swing by Café Imperial Wien to try the Imperial Torte, a rich chocolate cake made with a secret recipe as old as the hotel itself.
Who Will Love It: Travelers looking for an intimate and stylish base in a trendy neighborhood
All-Star Amenities: Organic toiletries from Viennese brand Saint Charles; Roberts Revival iStream radio; free-standing bathtubs; wellness area with a gym, steam bath and sauna
One of the most creative stays in Vienna, every detail at Hotel Motto lends itself to a whimsical atmosphere that feels straight out of a Wes Anderson film. Occupying a historic building that was once a gathering place for painters, poets and musicians, the property’s creative roots are honored through murals and paintings by local artists everywhere you look. The staff’s floral uniforms, designed by Austrian designer Lena Hoschek, are sure to bring a smile every time you see them. Rooms here can regularly be found for under $200 a night during the high summer season, making it the best value stay in the city. The service found here is also impeccable: I stayed at Hotel Motto in summer of 2022 and still receive a personalized birthday card from the property in the mail each year.
Who Will Love It: Travelers seeking a design-forward boutique with plenty of history
All-Star Amenities: Courtyard restaurant with retractable roof; free-standing bathtubs
The Leo Grand, a 76-key boutique property, officially opened in 2022, but its roots go back over three centuries. Named after Emperor Leopold I, the hotel was once a private residence from the Hapsburg monarchy in the late 17th century. After a careful restoration and redesign by Austria’s Lenikus Group, the property today feels fresh and modern — without losing any of its historic charm. “It feels very Parisian,” says McCormack, who counts the property among her top recommendations in the city. “The staff is incredible and go above and beyond to make visitors feel welcome.” Alongside a central location by St. Stephen’s Cathedral (some rooms offer direct views), all of the furniture, wallpaper, carpets and lamps (the monkey lamps in each room are not to be missed) were custom made for the property. After a day at the museums, guests can also dine at the property’s courtyard restaurant, Dots At Leo Grand.
Who Will Love It: Lovebirds looking for a glamorous stay to complement a night at the opera
All-Star Amenities: Free non-alcoholic minibar; marble bathrooms with heated floors; separate tubs and showers; spa with steam room and sauna
The centuries-old café in Hotel Sacher Vienna is a popular stop for anyone wanting to taste the original chocolatey Sachertorte filled with apricot jam. Especially great for couples, the hotel’s 152 rooms and suites are among the city’s most romantic. The property blends old-world details like crystal chandeliers with high-tech innovations like televisions built into the mirrors, making it ideal for those looking for a fairy-tale escape with modern comforts. If you can tear yourself away from the plush bed, go on a horse-drawn carriage tour around town while sipping bubbly and taking in the sights, or get tickets to the Vienna State Opera across the street from the hotel. Several on-site bars and restaurants offer intimate places to grab a cocktail or a bite.
Who Will Love It: Families seeking a centrally located hotel with spacious suites
All-Star Amenities: Private balconies and terraces; in-room tea and coffee-making facilities
Dating back to the 1700s, Hotel König von Ungarn is one of the oldest hotels in Vienna. While the property has held onto its traditional charm — many of the rooms have a traditional Austrian aesthetic — it’s also become a convenient spot for families seeking a comfortable and affordable stay. The building was once a guest house for visiting church dignitaries, so many of the 44 rooms and suites feel more like apartments centered around a peaceful inner courtyard. Families will want to book the maisonettes, which can accommodate up to four guests across two floors — the spacious layout features a bathroom on each floor, as well as armchairs and couches. Those with kids will appreciate the hotel’s central location just steps away from the old town and the underground station, as well as the option to enjoy breakfast in their room at no additional cost.
Who Will Love It: Travelers looking to bookend their days with swims and spa treatments
All-Star Amenities: Marble bathrooms; walk-in closets; spa with a pool, Finnish sauna, steam bath and relaxation zones; 24-hour fitness center with personal training sessions
Occupying a former bank in the city’s high-end shopping district, the Park Hyatt Vienna might not be an obvious choice for wellness seekers. But once you step into its serene spa, located in the bank’s old vault that once stored gold and riches, you’ll quickly feel all your stresses melt away. The subterranean space features a 49-foot swimming pool, steam bath, sauna, well-equipped gym and relaxation zones. And those looking for further pampering can enjoy an impressive menu of treatments — from gold-infused body scrubs and hydrafacials to a couple’s massage and bath in the romantic Twinity Spa Suite. While children are allowed in the pool between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., the spa is adults-only outside of that period. The serene atmosphere extends to the 146 rooms and suites featuring large marble bathrooms and cloud-like beds. Start your day slow with breakfast in the property’s historic cashier hall, which now serves as an atmospheric restaurant.
Who Will Love It: Tastemakers looking for a high-design retreat in the historic center
All-Star Amenities: Luxury Italian linens; Acqua di Parma toiletries; marble bathrooms with heated floors; spa
What Not To Miss: The excellent breakfast; dinner at the fine-dining Glasswing Restaurant
Location: Ringstrasse in Innere Stadt
This luxury boutique hotel, which opened in 2023, positions guests right in the heart of the historic center — but it’s not just its address that makes it a standout. Inside the 19th-century building, you’ll find a sleek retreat that marries old and new, with a strong focus on high-quality materials and finishes. A gorgeous original elevator takes guests up to 62 rooms and suites, including two-story suites decked out with Italian marble, heated bathroom floors and free-standing designer bathtubs. At the end of the day, guests can unwind at the on-site spa with a Finnish sauna, steam room and hydrotherapy pool. For an indulgent dinner before the opera, don’t miss the fine-dining Glasswing Restaurant.
Who Will Love It: Travelers who love Champagne and art
All-Star Amenities: Complimentary Champagne breakfast; spa with a 65-foot lap pool and saunas; 24/7 coffee service including lattes, macchiatos and more
Neighboring the Museums Quartier, where you’ll find many of Vienna’s best art galleries, Hotel Sans Souci Vienna is ideal for art lovers: The hotel tastefully blends baroque-inspired décor with pop art inside its 63 rooms, which range from cozy units to luxurious suites to long-stay apartments. Inside, you’ll also find thoughtful touches like mirror screens, rain showers, heated floors, Bluetooth speakers from Bang & Olufsen and hypoallergenic bedding. But the real delight is the extra amenities and services you don’t typically find at other hotels in Vienna, like the 24/7 unlimited in-room coffee service (oat milk lattes included). Champagne fans won’t want to miss the lavish breakfast with locally sourced goodies and bubbly, as well as the dedicated Champagne bar that offers specialty tastings.
Who Will Love It: Travelers looking for a riverside respite with city views
All-Star Amenities: Complimentary alcohol-free minibar; Bose sound systems; rain showers; deep-soaking tubs
Overlooking the city and Danube river, the sleek glass tower of SO/ Vienna offers a view unlike any other hotel in Vienna. The building, designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, stands like a futuristic sculpture in contrast to the city’s more traditional edifices. The interiors of the 182 rooms are minimal and monochrome, allowing the impressive vistas to shine. Some rooms face the inner city’s landmarks (St. Stephens Cathedral included), while others overlook the Viennese Giant Ferris Wheel. For 360-degree panoramas, head to the 18th-floor restaurant and bar, Das Loft, for breakfast or sunset cocktails during golden hour. The eatery sits under a canopy of colorful LED lights designed by Swiss video artist Pipilotti Rist — a vibrant offset to the stark architecture. The hotel is just a 10-minute walk from the hustle and bustle of the old town and also offers direct access to Donaukanal, a riverside promenade that comes alive in the summertime.
The Forbes Vetted travel team has researched, written and published dozens of hotel guides featuring cities across the globe.
We selected the top contenders based on personal stays as well as extensive research.
