The Messe Wien Exhibition & Congress Center is the largest venue of its kind in Vienna. Though well-connected to the centre by the U2 subway line, you might prefer a nearby hotel if attending an event.
These are the closest hotels in the area with a rating of 8 or more (at the time of writing) on booking.com.
After the hotel list, I’ve added information on the local area, travel tips, and a map with more options, including apartments.
- See also:
- Accommodation in Vienna (useful articles)
So…the hotels that met these convenience and rating requirements:
Courtyard by Marriot Vienna Prater/Messe
(One of a portfolio of Marriot hotels in the city)
Hard to get closer than this. The large four-star hotel sits right across the street from one end of the Messe Wien and the U2 subway station Krieau. Also within walking distance of the Stadion Center shopping mall.
Another immediate neighbour is the toweringly-impressive (for Vienna) HQ building of OMV: the huge energy and chemical company.
For sports enthusiasts, the harness racing track and Austria’s national football stadium are both just up the road, too (the latter also hosts big international concerts).
Bassena Wien Messe Prater
(Close to instagrammable architecture)
Another modern four-star hotel right next to the Messe Center, this time at the opposite end to the Courtyard. Across the street from university buildings (Sigmund Freud University and the Vienna University of Economics and Business with its extraordinary modern architecture).
Enjoy the in-house bar, bistro and café in one. Alternatively nip across the road to find, for example, a branch of the L’Osteria Italian restaurant chain.
Zola Hotel – Palais de Bohème
(Palazzo-style accommodation)
Chic hotel located in a well-kept palais in a nearby side street about 7 minutes’ walk from Messe Wien.
A bohemian vibe with a no kids and no pets policy. So a good option for a quieter location away from main roads and exhibition traffic. The same location has the Zazatam international restaurant.
Motel One Wien Prater
(Offers easy access to Prater entertainments, too)
A more inexpensive option right next to the U2 subway station Messe Prater and a stone’s throw away from the Messe center. Has its own underground parking spaces, too
One of the better options if travelling with kids. The huge Prater entertainment complex (see below) is very close and even influences some of the interior design. And at least some rooms have views across to the iconic Riesenrad giant Ferris wheel, too.
As a bonus, an organic breakfast buffet might ease any sense of guilt at overeating.
Two Hiltons
(The Hampton by Hilton alternative)
The Hilton chain has two options for you close to Messe Wien…
Hampton by Hilton Vienna Messe
First of a row of three hotels on a road leading up to the Messe complex and surrounded by parking facilities. Proud of their breakfast waffles.
Hilton Vienna Danube Waterfront
I passed this in summer and felt transported to some Greek island. Close to the Messe buildings but on the banks of the Danube (a surprisingly rare location for accommodation in Vienna). The open-air pool and long terrace conjure up images of Mediterranean summers.
Has a large number of business facilities, too, including 13 meeting rooms.
Superbude Wien Prater
(Hotel with an open, hostel vibe to it)
One of the better options for younger people. The hotel has 17 different types of rooms, with themes such as gaming, Austropop, reading and others.
One of the two hotel restaurants has views over the Prater and city, while the other offers an all-day breakfast. Plenty of dynamic, contemporary flair here.
Zoku Vienna
(Business hotel with a difference)
Located right next to the hotel above. Apartment-style rooms with workspaces and kitchens.
If you’re looking to meet new people, this is one of the best options. The hotel has coworking environments, a music corner (grab an instrument), gym, 24-hour in-house store, rooftop restaurant and bar, and other shared spaces.
Hotel alternatives
(Map provided by booking.com*, who I am an affiliate of)
Booking.comThe local area
As you might imagine, such a large exhibition centre isn’t sandwiched between two Baroque town palaces in the centre of Vienna. Nevertheless, the local area has a surprisingly large amount to offer visitors.
So no Habsburg palaces, but these three standout attractions…
1. The Prater
(The giant Ferris wheel known from such films as The Third Man)
The Messe Wien runs almost alongside a long stretch of recreational woodland, meadows and parks known as the Prater.
One end is a leisure complex that features a huge entertainment area and notable attractions like the Riesenrad Ferris wheel and Madame Tussauds, not to mention dozens of rides and similar.
This all includes several restaurants, though most only open during the warmer seasons: the Schweizerhaus, for example, is immensely popular with locals in summer.
2. The Danube
(The nearby river with a view across to the UN headquarters)
A short walk northeast takes you to the banks of the mighty Danube, though it splits into two to flow around the long Donauinsel island in this part of the city.
Riverside paths take you along it but ratchet down your expectations: a more interesting alternative is the arm of the river (the Donaukanal) that breaks off to meander past the old town. Cross through the Prater to the southeast to reach it.
3. The architecture
(The WU Wien campus is an Instagram paradise)
Recent years have seen some quite remarkable architectural highlights pop up around the Messe Wien. For example, the area to the south includes the astonishing modern architecture of the new campus of the WU (Vienna University of Economics and Business).
Getting there
The Messe Wien has subway stations at either end of the complex: the aptly-titled Messe-Prater station and the Krieau station.
Both are on the U2 line that goes to Schottenring and Schottentor stations in the centre in a matter of minutes and then on to skirt the old town to the west. Though stations beyond Schottentor are closed temporarily until around September 2024 (projected) due to construction of a new U5 subway line.
The location also has around 4000 parking spaces.