First District, Vienna, Austria
Iconic, Victorian-era luxury in Vienna's city center
Close to top sights and public transportation
A cake-lovers shrine with sumptuous common areas
Lavish accommodations, some with private terraces
Guest rooms feature flat-screen TVs, minibars and marble baths
Two fine dining venues and a pair of charming cafes
On-site bar popular with the pre-opera crowd
Full-service spa with chocolate-based treatments
Smallish fitness room with sauna and steam room
In-house business center, plus meeting facilities
“Petit Sacher" program makes even kids feel at home
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Decadent breakfast buffet costs extra
No pool or on-site parking
Opulent, Old World decor not for everyone
Located across from the State Opera House in Vienna’s historic heart, this family-run luxury property has long been a favorite destination for discerning visitors. Its appeal comes in large part from its association with the celebrated Sacher-torte: a cake invented by Franz Sacher, whose son opened this hotel in 1876. However, its sumptuous grande-dame style and first-class features (two respected restaurants, a storied bar and full-service spa among them) make The Sacher a legend in its own right. Like the hotel as a whole, the 152 spacious rooms are formal but not fussy, mixing vintage Victorian elements with mod-cons like sleek marble bathrooms, minibars, flat-screen TVs, docking stations, and free Wi-Fi. If 21st-century luxury is more your style, try the Melia Vienna instead: housed in Austria’s tallest building, it opened in 2014.
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Scene
A legendary Old World hotel that’s formal but not fussy
This hotel’s stately exterior -- complete with creamy stonework, caryatids, and a red-coated doorman -- sets the tone for what lies within: namely full-blown Victorian-era luxury. The reception area, for instance, features museum-quality art and an abundance of marble, while heavy wood paneling and richly-upholstered furnishings illuminated by brass chandeliers dominate the seating area. Many luminaries have graced these rooms, including Queen Elizabeth II, J.F.K., Graham Greene and John Lennon (portraits tucked throughout the lobby commemorate their visits.) But despite the formal trapping and illustrious guest lists, the atmosphere here is welcoming rather than stuffy. In part that’s because the usual contingent of well-heeled corporate travelers and coupled-up vacationers is supplemented by devoted cake lovers, who view this place as a culinary shrine, and by a surprising number of children. The “Petit Sacher" program, which includes welcome treats and activities, caters specifically to the latter; babysitting, children’s menus and kiddy equipment are available as well.
Location
Prime Innere-Stadt location, just steps from the Opera House and Karntner Strasse
Across from the Opera House and abutting Karntner Strasse (Vienna’s most popular shopping street and pedestrian area), The Sacher has a coveted 1st District setting. It's close to top restaurants, bars, and museums -- including the Albertina, which can be reached on foot in a mere two minutes. Monumental Saint Stephen’s Cathedral is a seven-minute stroll away, as is Hofburg Palace. If you’re in the mood to go farther, you can walk to Karlsplatz Station (a major public transit hub) in the same amount of time and access the city’s efficient public transit system. - Two-minute walk to the Albertina Museum
Rooms
Spacious rooms combine classic style with contemporary amenities and ultra-modern bathrooms
Ranging from 350- to a whopping 1,185 square feet, the Sacher's guest rooms carry on the lobby’s posh Victorian vibe: picture period-style furniture, plush fabrics, and fresh-cut flowers. The color schemes vary, but generally involve pastel shades that are light enough to add to the rooms’ overall spacious feel. As you'd expect, the actual size increases with the price: suites add separate living areas, and those on the seventh floor have a terrace, too. In terms of amenities, all come with air-conditioning, digital safes, minibars, flat-screen TVs, docking stations and free Wi-Fi. The sleek modern bathrooms are generously proportioned and feature heated marble floors plus separate tubs and showers; better yet, extras include not only cozy robes and hairdryers, but also toiletries from the house spa and a second TV.
Features
A luxury lineup that includes fine dining options and a full-service spa
Travelers will find a miniature Sacher-torte and house-made chocolates waiting in their room on arrival. Happily, these also appear on the menu alongside authentic Viennese dishes in the hotel’s restaurants (one all green velvet and gilding, the other a study in red with damask-covered walls) as well as in its two quintessential cafes. There’s also a beloved bar on-site, which is notable for its refined, club-like atmosphere. Given the opportunities for over-indulgence, some guests may feel obliged to use the small, but decently equipped, round-the-clock fitness center. Those who prefer pampering can take advantage of the adjacent Finnish sauna, salt-steam room and herbal bath, or retreat to a full-service spa that employs chocolate in its signature treatments. If you’re mixing business with pleasure (or staging a grand social event) the Sacher has a series of salons, banquet halls and conference facilities, too. Other hotel features include a 24-hour reception desk with multilingual staff and concierge capabilities; a hotel-themed gift shop; add-on dry-cleaning/laundry and airport transfer services; a business center with complimentary computer use; free newspapers in the lobby; and free Wi-Fi throughout. Parents can also take advantage of the “Petit Sacher" program, offering kid-focused activities and extras to the youngest guests.
