Austrian Hotels: Open For Business Or Closed?

Austria is a country of contrasts, with vibrant cities and serene Alpine valleys. Its hotels are not just places to rest but portals to the country's rich history and contemporary culture. In recent years, Austria has seen a surge in tourism, with an increasing number of hotels and resorts opening their doors to cater to the growing demand. The country offers a range of accommodation options, from luxurious city hotels to eco-friendly retreats, each promising an unforgettable experience.

Austria's hotel industry is recovering from the pandemic

Austria's hotel industry is showing promising signs of recovery from the pandemic, with a range of new openings and initiatives aimed at attracting visitors back to the country. From luxury resorts to eco-retreats, the industry is adapting to meet the changing demands of travellers in a post-pandemic world. Here's an overview of the resurgence of Austria's hotel industry.

New Hotel Brands Entering the Market

Austria is attracting interest from major international hotel brands, with Hilton leading the way. The company recently announced the debut of its Spark by Hilton brand in the country, with two new properties slated to open in Vienna later this year. This move underscores the confidence in Austria's tourism sector and presents a significant milestone in the brand's global expansion.

Focus on Sustainability and Eco-Retreats

Austria's hotel industry is increasingly embracing sustainability and eco-friendly practices. Leading the charge is Vienna's Boutiquehotel Stadthalle, which became the city's first hotel to receive the EU Ecolabel in 2009. The Intercontinental Vienna has also earned a notable 95% ETIC Green Score for its commitment to sustainability. Additionally, the Holiday Inn Vienna – South offers eco-conscious travellers a range of amenities while minimising their environmental impact.

Luxury Hotels Continue to Thrive

Luxury hotels in Austria continue to set the standard for opulent accommodations and exceptional service. The Vienna Palais Hansen Kempinski, housed in a historic building, blends modern elegance with old-world charm. The Hotel Sacher Salzburg, with its prestigious location on the banks of the Salzach River, has been a symbol of sophistication and refined hospitality since 1866. These hotels offer guests a chance to indulge in the finest experiences that Austria has to offer.

Resort Hotels Offer Comprehensive Experiences

Resort hotels in Austria provide guests with comprehensive experiences that cater to a variety of interests. The Krumers Alpin Resort & Spa in Seefeld combines Alpine charm with modern amenities, including a world-class spa and gourmet restaurant. The Arlberg Hospiz in Sankt Anton Am Arlberg offers ski-in and ski-out access to some of Europe's most exciting slopes. The Grand Hotel Zell Am See, nestled on the shores of a charming town, seamlessly blends history and contemporary comforts.

Hotels with Breathtaking Views

Austria is known for its stunning landscapes, and several hotels in the country offer guests breathtaking views. The Schlosshotel Life & Style in Salzburg treats guests to unrivalled panoramas of the iconic cityscape. The Alpin Resort Sacher in Seefeld provides panoramic vistas of the surrounding peaks and Innsbruck Old Town. Seehotel Das Traunsee, nestled in the idyllic village of Obertraun, offers spellbinding views of Lake Traun and its rugged surroundings.

Austria's hotel industry is demonstrating its resilience and adaptability in the post-pandemic era. With a range of new openings, a focus on sustainability, and a commitment to providing exceptional guest experiences, the industry is well-positioned to thrive. As travel continues to rebound, Austria's hotels are poised to welcome guests from around the world, offering them memorable stays in this captivating country.

Vienna's best hotels

Vienna, Austria's capital, is a city that seamlessly blends history and modernity. The city is filled with classical music heritage and fine art, and its focus on wellness and design has earned it the title of the "most livable city in the world." The best hotels in Vienna showcase the city's charms in their decor, architecture, and cuisine. Here are some of the top picks:

• Best High-End Hotel: Rosewood Vienna. Set in a meticulously restored 19th-century building where Mozart once lived, Rosewood Vienna offers a prime location on Petersplatz, dominated by St. Peter's Cathedral. The hotel features Art Nouveau-style furniture, parquet flooring, and designer lighting. The presidential suite boasts a balcony overlooking Petersplatz. The Asaya Spa and rooftop terrace provide tranquil spaces for relaxation.
• Best Boutique Hotel: The Guesthouse Vienna. With 39 cozy and sophisticated rooms, The Guesthouse is an inviting boutique hotel. It offers mid-century modern furniture, locally made hypoallergenic mattresses, organic cosmetics, and a complimentary minibar with Austrian wine. The hotel is located near the Albertina Museum and is within walking distance of other top sights.
• Best Historic Hotel: Hotel Imperial. Originally built as a palace, this grand hotel on Vienna's Ringstrasse was converted into luxury accommodations in 1873. Hotel Imperial has hosted numerous celebrities and heads of state. The property features elaborate details such as the Royal Staircase, crystal chandeliers, and carved statues. The Royal Suite offers 23-foot ceilings, butler service, and a free-flowing minibar.
• Best Hotel for Design Lovers: Hotel Motto. Hotel Motto is a boutique design hotel in Vienna's trendy 6th district. The hotel blends contemporary Vienna with Art Deco-era Paris. It features Art Nouveau-style mirrors, brass finishes, arts-and-crafts textiles, and period furniture. The property also showcases collaborations with international artists, including Italian illustrator Andrea Ferolla and Mexican photographer Victoria Barmak.
• Best Hotel for Couples: Hotel Sacher Wien. Located across from the Vienna State Opera, Hotel Sacher Wien offers plush rooms and suites with a blend of old-world details and modern innovations. The hotel features crystal chandeliers, televisions built into mirrors, and a century-old café serving the famous Sachertorte. Couples can enjoy horse-drawn carriage tours and intimate bars and restaurants on-site.
• Best Hotel for Families: Hotel König Von Ungarn. Dating back to the 1700s, Hotel König Von Ungarn is one of Vienna's oldest hotels. The property retains its traditional charm while offering spacious accommodations centered around a peaceful inner courtyard. Families can book the maisonettes, accommodating up to four guests with two bathrooms and ample living space. The modern penthouse loft offers a large terrace with city views.
• Best Spa and Wellness Hotel: Park Hyatt Vienna. Park Hyatt Vienna occupies a former bank in the city's high-end shopping district. The hotel's serene spa, located in the bank's old vault, features a swimming pool, steam bath, sauna, gym, and relaxation zones. The hotel's rooms and suites offer marble bathrooms and cloud-like beds. The Bank Brasserie & Bar is a popular spot for Sunday brunch.
• Best Value Hotel: Hotel Indigo Vienna Naschmarkt. Hotel Indigo is situated in Vienna's leafy and laid-back 5th district. It offers cozy rooms, many with terraces overlooking a plant-filled courtyard. The hotel has design-forward common areas, including a restaurant and meeting rooms. It is steps away from the trendy Naschmarkt, with stands offering Viennese and international cuisine, and a popular flea market on Saturdays.

Austria's resort hotels

Boutique Hotels

The boutique Hotel Singer Relais & Chateaux in Tyrol is a 4-star superior spa hotel offering a gourmet experience and a range of wellness treatments. The 4-star superior Schlosspark Mauerbach in Vienna is adults-only and offers a 1700m2 spa with indoor and outdoor pools, different saunas, and steam baths.

Mountain Resorts

The 5-star Hotel Alpin Spa Tuxerhof in Tyrol provides a range of wellness treatments and activities such as yoga and meditation. The 5-star Das Kaltenbach in Zillertal is a naturhotel with a focus on sustainability and healthy living, offering a range of spa treatments and healthy cuisine. The 4-star superior Wellnesshotel Ebner's Waldhof am See in Zell am Ziller is another environmentally-certified hotel with excellent facilities and views of the Austrian Alps.

Luxury Mountain Resorts

The 5-star Aurelio in Lech am Arlberg is a boutique ski hotel promising that 'everything is possible' with ski-in/ski-out facilities and a range of seasonal activities. The 5-star Hotel Goldener Berg in Vorarlberg is a 'mountain self-care resort' with a focus on wellness and healthy living. The 5-star Interalpen-Hotel Tyrol in Telfs offers unmatched Alpine luxury with a large breakfast selection and spacious rooms.

Eco-friendly hotels in Austria

Austria has long been recognised as a world leader in sustainable tourism, and there are plenty of eco-friendly hotels to choose from. Here are some of the best eco-friendly and sustainable hotels in Austria:

Holzhotel Forsthofalm

Set 1,500 m above sea level, this eco-friendly hotel offers direct access to ski slopes, hiking and mountain bike trails. The hotel features unique wooden architecture, an award-winning restaurant, and the Sky Spa on the rooftop. The Sky Spa offers panoramic views, individual relaxation areas, a fireplace lounge, a hammock room, a cardio fitness room, and an organic herbal sauna. The Kukka restaurant offers vegan, vegetarian, meat and fish dishes, mostly made from organic, regionally produced ingredients. The hotel was built entirely out of wood and offers bright, eco-chic rooms with mountain-view balconies.

Genießerhotel Die Forelle

Overlooking the Weissensee, Carinthia’s highest bathing lake, this sophisticated hotel offers direct lake access and a wellness area with a gym. Guests can enjoy breakfast and homemade Austrian and international specialities either in the on-site restaurant or on the terrace. The Genießerhotel Die Forelle also features a spa with a herbal sauna, a jacuzzi and a newly equipped fitness room. The rooms are streamlined with pine furnishings, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and either balconies or terraces.

Boutiquehotel Stadthalle

This family-run and eco-friendly hotel is located just an 8-minute walk from the Westbahnhof Train Station and Vienna’s main shopping boulevard Mariahilfer Straße. It offers a beautiful garden, individually designed rooms, and free WiFi. The hotel's water is heated by solar panels, and rainwater collected from the roof is used to water the garden. An organic buffet breakfast including local products is served in the breakfast room or outdoors in the unique green oasis.

Hotel Stefanie

Hotel Stefanie is the oldest hotel in Vienna, dating back to 1600. It offers free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and room service. The hotel has a garden restaurant, a bar, and a parking garage. Warmly decorated rooms come with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and minibars. Some feature pull-out sofas, desks, and views of the courtyard garden. A complimentary breakfast buffet is offered, and the restaurant serves Austrian and international cuisine.

Natur- und Wanderhotel Outside

Located amidst the mountains of the Hohe Tauern National Park, this superior hotel offers a spa area with an indoor pool, a sauna, a steam bath, and a solarium. The restaurant offers a selection of fine Austrian and international wines from the hotel’s own wine cellar. Refined rooms and suites offer complimentary Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and safes. Some have free-standing tubs, sitting areas, terraces, and/or minibars.

Bio Hotel Bergkristall

Bio Hotel Bergkristall in Schladming is committed to sustainability, offering organic bread and homemade jam for breakfast, and focusing on honest and authentic experiences with organic quality products. The hotel uses renewable energy sources, maximises natural light, and collects rainwater. The dining experience includes organic food, mostly locally sourced, and the hotel has a range of eco-friendly initiatives, such as reforestation and wildlife conservation.

Austria's famous hotels

Austria is home to many famous hotels, ranging from luxurious 5-star accommodations to charming boutique hotels. Here is a list of some of Austria's most renowned hotels:

The Ritz-Carlton, Vienna

The Ritz-Carlton in Vienna tops the list of Austria's best hotels. It is centrally located, just 0.2 miles from the city centre, and offers 5-star luxury accommodations and services.

Hotel Imperial, Vienna

The Hotel Imperial, part of the Luxury Collection Hotels, is another 5-star hotel in Vienna. It is situated 0.7 miles from the city centre and provides guests with a luxurious and elegant experience.

Hotel Bristol, Vienna

Also in Vienna, the Hotel Bristol is a 5-star hotel that exudes elegance and sophistication. It is located 0.8 miles from the city centre, offering convenient access to the city's attractions.

The Guesthouse Vienna

The Guesthouse Vienna is a highly-regarded 5-star hotel located just 0.5 miles from Vienna's city centre. It offers a unique and modern experience to its guests.

Hotel Sans Souci Wien

Hotel Sans Souci Wien is a popular choice for travellers seeking 5-star accommodations in Vienna. It is situated 0.9 miles from the city centre and provides guests with a luxurious and comfortable stay.

Hotel Alpin Spa Tuxerhof

For those seeking a mountain retreat, the Hotel Alpin Spa Tuxerhof is an excellent choice. This 5-star hotel is located in the Tux Valley and offers a tranquil and relaxing experience with stunning views.

Interalpen-Hotel Tyrol

The Interalpen-Hotel Tyrol is a secluded 5-star hotel located 13.7 miles from Innsbruck. It offers guests a luxurious escape with breathtaking views of the surrounding Alps.

Das Central - Alpine . Luxury . Life

Das Central is a 5-star hotel situated in the heart of Sölden. It provides guests with an exquisite blend of luxury and alpine charm, making it a popular choice for those seeking a high-end mountain getaway.

Hilton Hotels in Austria

Hilton, a well-known international hotel brand, has several properties in Austria. These include the Hilton Vienna Plaza, Hilton Vienna Danube Waterfront, and the DoubleTree by Hilton Vienna Schönbrunn, among others. Hilton hotels offer a consistent level of comfort and service that many travellers appreciate.

Boutique Hotels

Austria also boasts several charming boutique hotels, such as the Boutique Hotel am Stephansplatz in Vienna and the BoutiqueHOTEL Donauwalzer, also in Vienna. These hotels offer unique and intimate experiences, often with a focus on personalised service and attention to detail.

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