Last Updated on October 7, 2025 by Katrina

Photo credit: Hotel Imperial

Vienna’s Old Town—a.k.a. the 1st District or Innere Stadt—offers a unique perspective on this historic city in Austria. Surrounded by the circular boulevard Ringstrasse, Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage area. It’s home to major sites such as St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Hofburg Palace and the Vienna State Opera. It’s also chock full of culinary delights like the legendary Sacher Torte. It also offers the chance to stay in some fabulously historic and elegant hotels. Here are the best hotels in Vienna’s Old Town.

Park Hyatt Vienna (Am Hof 2, 1010; 43-1-227401234) Old Town

Condé Nast Traveler describes this 143-room Hyatt—located in a former bank building—as “grand and magnificent. Rooms are fine, but public spaces like the cigar bar channel Vienna’s old-world glamour.” Other onsite amenities include a spa and an indoor pool. A Google reviewer writes that “our junior suite room had a high ceiling—it felt like staying at a palace! Loved the decor. The Bank restaurant has great ambiance and good food. The service throughout the hotel is great and what I expect of a Park Hyatt.” >> Book this hotel for less

Hotel Imperial, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Vienna (Kärntner Ring 16, 1015; 43-1-501100) Old Town

Come for the famous schnitzel or the plush ambience at this former palace that became a hotel during the Vienna World’s Fair in 1873. Today it’s outfitted with “velvets and flock wallpapers and a maximalist aesthetic,” writes Condé Nast Traveler, and exudes “a fairytale whirl of 19th-century pomp and circumstance.” Aside from the plush restaurants, the onsite amenities are ironically basic—just an onsite gym. But a Google reviewer says the service and setting were more than enough: “Our 5th floor suite had two small balconies, and public transportation a block away. The general manager gave us great suggestions of things to do, and the breakfast and bar staff were also both top-notch.” >> Book this hotel for less

Grand Hotel Wien (Kärntner Ring 9, 1010; 43-1-515800) Old Town

This 1870 hotel “was Vienna’s first luxury hotel,” writes Forbes Travel Guide, and today “has been restored to its original grandeur. The lobby is teeming with marble, chandeliers, and an ornate staircase.” It also has modern perks such as a plush spa and five restaurants, including Arabic and Japanese options. A Tripadvisor user calls it a “grand experience. Location is great too—easy walking to city center and the trams are only a few yards away.” >> Book this hotel for less

Hotel Sacher Vienna (Philharmoniker Str. 4, 1010; 43-1-514560) Old Town

This 1934 hotel is famous for inventing the chocolate-and-apricot-jam Sacher Torte. But Forbes Travel Guide also commends it for channeling the “maintaining its historic charm, infused with red-velvet-covered and silk-damask-dressed touches, while innovating with exquisite service.” Some online reviewers bemoan the long lines of tourists waiting to try the torte at the hotel’s café. But one Tripadvisor user writes that the hotel “is the epitome of Vienna—classy, beautiful, historic. Reservations are essential in the hotel’s dining rooms—one night we couldn’t get a table, but you are close to many other restaurants anyway.” >> Book this hotel for less

The Ritz-Carlton, Vienna (Schubertring 5-7, 1010; 43-1-31188) Old Town

Located on the Ringstrasse, this Ritz-Carlton is a “a luxurious cultural experience close to the Musikverein and Vienna State Opera,” writes Forbes Travel Guide, with “spectacular views from the eighth-floor rooftop cocktail bar.” Online reviewers rave about welcome amenities—Champagne, tea or hot cocoa—and that staff can help set up waltz lessons or nearby tours. A Google reviewer writes “major attractions like St. Stephen’s Cathedral and Belvedere Palace are just a short stroll away, yet the hotel feels like a tranquil oasis amidst the city’s vibrancy. The rooms are spacious, elegantly designed, and the views of Vienna’s skyline from the room were breathtaking.” >> Book this hotel for less

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