I’ve picked out the closest hotels to the centre of Vienna (Stephansplatz square with Stephansdom cathedral). Each is on or next to the square and has a user rating of at least 8/10 at booking.com.
The map at the bottom of the article has further accommodation options, including apartments.
- See also:
- Accommodation in Vienna (useful articles)
In no particular order…
1. Boutique Hotel am Stephansplatz*
This is about as close as it gets to the centre, since the hotel sits opposite Stephansdom’s main entrance. So you can book rooms with views across to the famous mosaic roof (some even have their own outdoor terrace, so you enjoy a croissant and cathedral with your morning coffee).
The hotel’s formal address is on Jasomirgottstraße, named for the very first Duke of Austria. Henry II Jasomirgott (1107-1177) now lives in rather less pleasant surroundings in the crypt of the Schottenkirche.
Another location on the actual square with views across to Stephansdom.
Do&Co built their name as gourmet caterers of some distinction, so you should not be short of decent gastronomic opportunities (the top floor is a Do&Co restaurant).
The hotel occupies part of the Haas house, a very distinctive post-modern building designed by the renowned architect, Hans Hollein. Its appearance in the historical centre of Vienna sparked some debate at the time. Its façade is notable for the mirrored images of the cathedral opposite.
Just one road down from Stephansplatz square and a central location with a centuries-old history that predates its namesake: Empress Elisabeth.
The list of famous guests of the past makes for some reading. Mozart stayed here, for example. As did Liszt, Bruckner, and Wagner.
One of my favourite cafés sits opposite the hotel: Conditorei Sluka has a quite remarkable interior décor that feels like a Klimt painting come to life.
One of two hotels on Schulerstraße, a quiet street which leads off behind the cathedral.
The name harks back to the time of the Habsburg monarchy, since the König von Ungarn (King of Hungary) was one of the main titles held by the Emperor.
Hungarian nobles used to stay here (the hotel opened in the mid-1700s) and Mozart lived next door, which presumably made for lively entertainment if you left the windows open on a balmy summer evening in the late 18th century.
5. Hotel Domizil*
The King’s neighbour, a few steps further away from the centre.
Nip round the corner down Grünangergasse for a couple of Palais buildings and courtyard glimpses away from the usual tourist trails.
6. Hotel Royal*
The first of two locations on Singerstraße, a road that leads off the square.
Hotel Royal has two Italian restaurants: Ristorante Firenze Enoteca and Ristorante Settimo Cielo. The latter occupies a roof terrace with views of the cathedral and across Vienna.
7. Gästehaus Deutscher Orden Wien*
Further up Singerstraße is the home of the Teutonic order in Vienna. The Deutschordenshaus has its origins in the 1200s and also includes a guest house.
The complex takes its own exalted place in music history. Mozart stayed there in 1781 with his then employer (the Archbishop of Salzburg).
The two gentlemen argued, and Mozart found himself summarily fired. So he remained in Vienna and the rest is, well, history.
The inner courtyard is quite beautiful with the Stephansdom south tower overhead.
8. Graben Hotel*
The sister hotel to the Hotel Royal mentioned above lies just off the pedestrianised Graben that leads away from Stephansplatz. It also has its own Italian restaurant attached: Trattoria Santo Stefano.
One of Vienna’s most famous coffee houses (Hawelka) sits opposite the hotel. Try the Buchteln, which are sweet rolls made to the Hawelka family recipe.
Other central hotels and apartments
For a wider choice, consider some of the options on the map…
(Map provided by booking.com*, who I am an affiliate of)
Booking.com