Dinogo Readers' Top 5 Hotel Picks in Vienna for 2024

The top hotels in Vienna are primarily magnificent landmarks established in the 19th century, during the city’s reign as the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and a key cultural hub in Europe. The newer establishments also reside within historic structures, including several palaces constructed in the 1860s and 70s. All five hotels are situated in a shared neighborhood surrounding Vienna's Innere Stadt — the Old Town encircled by the renowned Ringstrasse.

How the Voting Process Works

In our annual World's Best Awards survey, T+L invites readers to share their travel experiences from around the globe, offering insights on the leading hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. For the 2024 survey, over 186,000 T+L readers participated, casting more than 700,000 votes across over 8,700 properties, including hotels, cities, and cruise lines.

Hotels were categorized as resort hotels, city hotels, inns, or safari lodges depending on their location and available amenities. They were rated based on the following criteria:

Amenities and facilities
Location
Customer service
Cuisine
Overall value

Respondents rated each aspect as excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores reflect the average of these ratings.

Highlights from Readers

Among the oldest continuously operating hotels on the 2024 list is Hotel Sacher Wien (ranked No. 4), which opened in 1876 and remains a beloved icon in Vienna. A reader described the Sacher as 'an absolute classic that embodies all the charm of old European elegance,' likely referring to its 152 rooms and suites adorned with original artwork and crystal chandeliers. Numerous survey participants also mentioned the hotel's signature dessert: the Sacher torte, a secret-recipe chocolate cake crafted by pastry chef Franz Sacher, the founder's father.

While historic hotels dominate, Vienna is not without fresh offerings. Rosewood Vienna made its debut in summer 2022, securing an impressive second place in its first World’s Best Awards. The hotel is situated in a former 19th-century bank building on Petersplatz, facing St. Peter’s Church, and features 100 rooms and suites, a rooftop brasserie specializing in Austrian charcuterie and local Grüner Veltliner, and a spa developed in partnership with the renowned skincare brand Augustinus Bader.

The Champion

Hotel Bristol, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Vienna

Close-up view of a guest room at Hotel Bristol, Vienna

Matthew Shaw/Image courtesy of Hotel Bristol, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Vienna

The top hotel in Vienna for 2024 has been a beloved part of the Old Town for over 130 years. Ascending from second place last year to claim the leading position, this hotel is renowned for its superb location, directly opposite the Wiener Staatsoper, Vienna’s State Opera. Some areas of this 150-room grand establishment boast an art deco aesthetic, including the iconic 'American-style' Bristol Bar, while other spaces feature antique furnishings, silk-covered walls, and exquisite woodwork that evoke the era of its establishment in 1892. Guests interested in exploring Vienna’s vibrant craft traditions can have the hotel arrange tours to local artisans and studios, such as Bösendorfer pianos and Augarten, a porcelain factory with a 300-year legacy.