Austria Hotel Collection: Hotels for a Winter City Break

Cultural break, Christmas market hopping or a mix of both – a nice hotel to return to after a day full of adventurers can literally make or break a city getaway. Luckily, Austria’s cities have no shortage of hotels for every type of city breaker – from traditional luxury hotel to contemporary chic boutique hideaway.   

Let us introduce you to the Austria Hotel Collection, a curated group of premier hotels perfect for a city trip. Every hotel on our list is unique, but they all exemplify the best in Austrian hospitality.

WINTER CITY HOTELS IN VIENNA

Baroque architecture, cosy cafés with their signature cakes, award-winning restaurants, and world-famous art institutions right at your doorstep: Austria’s cities are worth a visit all year round. But the winter season with its festive lights and romantic Christmas markets might just be the right time to tick them off the bucket list. The following hotels are in the heart of the action, allowing maximum time for exploring and sightseeing.

Organic, fair-trade and sustainable: Family-run 4-star Henriette Stadthotel Vienna in the hip 2nd district, the former home of Johann Strauß, is a small luxury home away from home where holidaymakers can enjoy a well-deserved break with a good conscious – the hotel has earned both the Austrian and EU Ecolabel. Henriette Stadthotel heats its rooms with an in-house air-to-air heat pump system and most of the food ingredients at the restaurant – including for their famous breakfast – are seasonal and regional. The natural organic bedding ensures sweet dreams after a long day of sightseeing.

Hotel Harmonie in trendy Servitenviertel, surrounded by cafes and some of Vienna’s most popular restaurants, owes its name to the former Harmonie Theatre, just a stone’s throw away. Unsurprisingly, owner Sonja Wimmer chose an artistic concept for her hotel, taking inspiration from Vienna’s rich history as well as its dance tradition - members of the State Opera’s ballet were involved in the design process. Expect colourful rooms and pieces of art around the building. Hotel Harmonie holds certificates for sustainability, allergy-friendliness, and organic products, and was one of the first hotels to offer a fully vegan breakfast.

Charming Hollmann Beletage is a 4-star boutique hotel around the corner from St Stephen’s Cathedral. Founder Robert Hollman says he can’t stand hotels and therefore has created an alternative home away from home for guests treasuring both individuality and the special things in life. In other words, people exactly like himself. Surprises await at every corner at this unique and colourful place, like a hidden garden, a stylish private cinema, or a room solely dedicated to board games (they are even on the walls!). The 28 rooms boast unique design features such as (half) open bathrooms or a fireplace.

Opened in 1898, Hotel Ambassador is as elegant as both its name and its surroundings suggest – it is located right in the heart of Vienna’s historic centre, close to St Stephen’s Cathedral and the State Opera. The hotel combines traditional ambience with modern spirit, and 19th century elements with cutting-edge amenities. What’s more, it ranks among Vienna’s most tradition-filled buildings. Many well-known figures in music, art, and culture have popped in here over the years. Travelling for a special occasion? The spacious top floor apartments come with private terraces and picture-perfect city views.

Opened in 1892, Hotel Bristol is so iconic it almost counts as a landmark itself. The five-star-hotel sits next to the Viennese State Opera (and most major sights, too), making it the perfect base for fans of classical music. The rooms boast opulent décor and amazing views of the Opera and the Ringstraße’s grand buildings, plus there’s the Bristol Lounge which has been dubbed “the most elegant dining room in town”. Kings, presidents, artists, and celebrities have all stayed at this hotel. Guests can enjoy all-day dining and exquisite cocktails and cognacs at the in-house restaurant, bars, and salons.

Hotel Altstadt, a carefully restored 19th-century patrician house is a piece of art in itself: All 62 rooms and suites have been individually designed by the likes of Lena Hoschek, Matteo Thun, and Lilli Hollein, and over 350 pieces of art are displayed throughout the hotel. Altstadt’s concept is no coincidence: The hotel sits in the heart of Vienna’s artist district Spittelberg. It is Vienna’s first hotel certified with the Austrian Eco-label for environmental and social sustainability, running on 100% renewable energy sources and using organic ingredients in the restaurant (plus there are many vegan options).

Once home to Vienna's nobility Almanac Palais Vienna presents itself as a boutique 5-star luxury hotel blending architectural heritage with contemporary design. It is in the heart of Vienna's historic centre, on the Ring Boulevard, the perfect starting point to explore the 1st district. Established in 1990 by Herbert Hasselbacher, an Austrian entrepreneur and former basketball player, the Almanac brand is renowned for crafting iconic hotels in historically significant locations, with curated design and personal touches. The Vienna hotel features a spacious wellness area and à la carte breakfast with plant-based options.

Hotel Sans Souci is a luxury place around the corner from trendy MuseumsQuarter, offering a prime location for sightseeing and Christmas markets, top-notch amenities, and the longest hotel pool in town in the exclusive Sans Souci Spa (under a glittering chandelier!). Champagne lovers can look forward to a complimentary glass for breakfast, over 60 different types to choose from at the hotel bar, and tastings every first Thursday of the month. All rooms and suites were individually designed by Philippe Starck’s studio YOO with unique character, and maximum comfort in mind.  

Need more space than in a classic hotel? Singerstrasse 21/25 provides exactly that! The hotel is located in the very centre of the city, just 300 metres from St Stephen’s Cathedral and features generous luxury double rooms as well as 66 fully equipped apartments with kitchen units, dining areas, and walk-in wardrobes. The highlight are the stylish exclusive penthouse units for up to six guests with large roof-top terraces overlooking the roofs of the historic centre. The rooms and apartments are available for short- and long-term stays. The hotel also provides a generous breakfast buffet.
 

WINTER CITY HOTEL IN SALZBURG

Stylish Arthotel Blaue Gans is the place to be when on a city break in Salzburg. Located right in the heart of town across from Festspielhaus (Festive Hall), close to Mozart’s birthplace and the Christmas markets, it houses Salzburg’s oldest inn (dating back to 1350), where guests can enjoy Austrian cuisine with a Mediterranean touch amidst vaulted ceilings and dark wooden beams. Art lovers will be delighted by the more than 120 original works in the building. And then there’s Campari: Celebrating the centuries-old trade routes between Salzburg and Venice, it is served all day long at the hotel bars.
 

WINTER CITY HOTEL IN INNSBRUCK

Innsbruck has no shortage of accommodation options but trendy NALA Individuell Hotel stands out from the crowd. An enchanting hotel in den 1950s, it has been turned into a modern city escape with colourful rooms and apartments all individually designed in line with their names (from cinema to zen) and mountain views. Both the city centre and the nearest lifts – for guests wanting to combine skiing and sightseeing – are within walking distance. NALA is dedicated to sustainability, running on 90% green energy, and using eco-friendly cosmetics, mattresses, and pillows, as well as organic ingredients for the breakfast buffet.
 

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