Vienna

• Hotels
  Our choice of Vienna's best character hotels.
  
• Essential Vienna
  Quick guide to Austria's capital.
  
• Vienna Feature
  Catherine Chambers visits Austria's capital.
  

Hotels
Our choice of Vienna's best character hotels.

Hotel De France *****
Centre, Vienna
A stunning hotel redolent of Viennese history and culture and situated on the famous Ringstrasse, Hotel De France is one of the best hotels in town. Since 1872, when it was first built, the hotel has been home to some famous names including composer Bruckner and the Allied high command... (more)

Altstadt ****
Kirchengasse, Vienna
One gets the feeling that a hotel is something different when even the brochure looks like an upscale art magazine. The Altstadt was founded by a man who spent 20 years travelling the world, and one who is committed to changing ideas about cookie-cutter hotel rooms... (more)

Altwienerhof ****
O, Vienna
The highlights of this remarkable little hotel are to be found in its superb restaurant and wine cellar, but it also boasts rooms of a highly individual and elegant character and a handy central location. The Altwiener is run by the Kellner family who have recently organised a major refurbishment... (more)

Hotel Biedermeier ****
Suennhof, Vienna
Located on the recently restored cobbled passageway called Biedermeier, this elegant hotel combines top-draw location with old world charm. "Biedermeier" refers to the era when composers, painters and poets contributed to the fame of Austrian Classicism... (more)

Essential Vienna
Quick guide to Austria's capital.

Introduction
Famous for its artistic grandeur and palatial structures, Vienna is also a city steeped in a revolutionary past. Extremist groups, philosophers, social reformers, Mozart and Freud all breathed in its rarefied atmosphere, but the sumptuous array of magnificent sights and fascinating architecture is still the tourist magnet for this former imperial city.

Top Sights
Positioned in the heart of Vienna, the vast Hofburg is the epitome of imperial wealth. Dating from the 13th century, the palace boasts two of the city's finest attractions, the Hofburgkapelle, a gothic chapel and the residence of the Vienna Boys Choir, and the Spanische Reitschule, a stately riding arena and home to the exquisite white Lipizzaner horses. The Hofburg is also the place to explore three fascinating museums. An impressive display of imperial dining furniture is to be found in the Hofsilber Und Tafelkammer Museum, illustrating the regal craving for opulent décor. Just around the corner are the Schauraume In Der Hofburg, the spectacular apartments where the Emperor and his wife lived in the utmost luxury. More compelling still is the Schatzkammer, which showcases a grandiose range of imperial treasures including the crown jewels, the imperial crowns and the treasure of the order of the Golden Fleece. Even for those who aren't opera enthusiasts a visit should be made to the elegant Staatsoper, regarded as one of the best opera houses in the world. A casualty of the Second World War, the opera was reopened in 1955 and is still an integral part of Viennese social life. For amazing views of the city, it is essential to pay a visit to the city's prime landmark, the medieval Stephansdom (St. Stephen's Cathedral), identifiable by its tall gothic spires. The only snag is that there are 343 steps to be navigated but for such an awesome sight it is worth the effort.

Culture
With its aristocratic atmosphere, Vienna is renown for a love of one type of music in particular - Opera. As many as four different operas are shown every week at the Staatsoper during peak season (June-September) a venue which never fails to attract major-league names. For the less ambitious try the Volksoper, which features lighter operas, operettas and musicals sang in Austrian. Classical concerts are held in the Konzerthaus while pop events are less frequent and are held the Austria Center.

Shopping
For items of luxury and speciality goods, the Karntnerstrasse is the focal shopping area, home to plush boutiques and impressive department stores. More interesting finds can be made at the year-round Flohmarket, every Saturday from 8am while the Arts and Antiques Market, located near the River Danube, is a source of rare collectables. Foodies would be wise to investigate the Naschmarkt, a superb open-air market that serves up an array of speciality eats from around the world.

Nightlife
Most of Vienna's nocturnal life revolves around the Bermuda-Dreieck, where you can stumble across an inviting bistro or relax in the comfy confines of a jazz club. For a more varied approach it's worth wandering into one of the city's famous Coffeehouses -an irresistible combination of bar, pub and bistro - such as the baroque-styled Alte Backstube or the more opulent Sacher which serves up the mother of all chocolate cakes. Fifties music is the order of the day at the Cafe Volksgarten, while wine-bars with architectural roots in the 12th century are good for a dose of slushy music and light-hearted banter. Live bands, a good boogie and delicious snacks are on offer at the Atrium, which is popular with 20 somethings.

Hotels
A recurring theme of the city's hotels is their historical charm, with many found in close proximity to public transport to make sightseeing easy. We've chosen the Altwienerhof which, as well as the character you'd expect from a small, family-run hotel, plus a good location, offers some of the best food and wine in town.

Essential Info
Currency - The schilling, of which there are roughly 13 to the dollar or 21 to the pound.

Weather - Summer (May- September) is warm and never really rises above 25 degrees. Winter can be extremely cold with temperatures reaching as low as minus centigrade.

Airports
Flughafen Wien-Schwechat. Trains and buses run every twenty or thirty minutes to the centre which is 11 miles/19 Km away.

Useful Links

• Austrian National Tourist Office
  austria-tourism.at/index.html
  With search engine, photo and video archive, calendar of Events, biographies of famous Austrian people and further important travel-information for visitors.

• Vienna! See! See!
  www.vienna.cc
  You can find companies/shops, chat room, photo gallery, coffee places and other links both in German and English.

• Vienna Tourist Board
  info.wien.at/welcome.html
  Tourist guide with information on popular attractions includes opening hours and Czech Republic's history and statistics.

Hotelgenie.com carefully selects all hotels in this guide to bring you a choice of fine, character-rich establishments, many at exclusive discounts.