Hotel Imperial and Hotel Sacher are the best hotels in Vienna in 2026 on our ranking, with the new Mandarin Oriental Vienna entering at number three. Our old number one for years, Hotel Bristol, is closed for restoration until around Christmas 2027. This list ranks nine hotels you can book now on setting, history, service tier and how Vienna feels from the front door.
Best hotels in Vienna at a glance
| Rank | Hotel | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hotel Imperial | Palace grandeur |
| 2 | Hotel Sacher | 150 years of history, opposite the Opera |
| 3 | Mandarin Oriental Vienna | Newest, opened November 2025 |
| 4 | The Ritz-Carlton, Vienna | Ringstrasse palaces, club lounge |
| 5 | Palais Coburg | Suites in a prince’s palace |
| 6 | Palais Hansen Kempinski | Modern luxury in a heritage building |
| 7 | Grand Hotel Wien | Classic Ringstrasse address |
| 8 | Le Méridien Vienna | Design and art |
| 9 | Meliá Vienna | Skyline views from the Danube City Tower |
We do not quote nightly rates because we could not verify 2026 rate cards. The old guide quoted ranges from about $150 to over $33,000; those are out of date.
The 9 best hotels in Vienna
1. Hotel Imperial: former palace
The Imperial was created in 1863 as the Vienna residence of Prince Philipp of Württemberg and became a hotel for the 1873 World Exhibition. It has 138 individually designed rooms and suites, crystal chandeliers and a princely staircase.
Guests have included heads of state and artists over three centuries.
Our basis: Heritage and palace setting. The room count is from the hotel’s older description.
2. Hotel Sacher: opened in 1876
Hotel Sacher is privately owned and sits opposite the State Opera, next to the Albertina. It celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2026.
Try the Sacher-Torte, created by the founder’s father, and the Restaurant Anna Sacher.
Our basis: Heritage and location. The anniversary is from 2026 reporting.
3. Mandarin Oriental Vienna: opened November 2025
Vienna’s newest luxury hotel opened in November 2025 in a converted courthouse in the First District, with 138 rooms and suites.
It is too new to have a long record, which is why we place it behind the two classics.
Our basis: Newness and standard. Based on 2026 reporting.
4. The Ritz-Carlton, Vienna: four palaces on the Ringstrasse
The Ritz-Carlton occupies four protected 19th-century palaces along the Ringstrasse next to the Stadtpark. It has 202 rooms including 35 suites and a club lounge on the seventh floor.
We found no closure news, but we could not fully confirm its 2026 status.
Our basis: Setting and service. Room count is from the older description.
5. Palais Coburg: suites in a prince’s palace
Palais Coburg is the former palace of Prince Ferdinand and uses the 16th-century Renaissance fortifications as part of the building. It is a residence-style hotel with about 35 suites.
It was reported to return in summer 2026 after renovation, with one listing giving 3 August 2026. Check its site for current status.
Our basis: Setting and character. The return date is reported.
6. Palais Hansen Kempinski: heritage building, modern luxury
Built as a hotel for the 1873 World Exhibition, the heritage-listed palace on the Ringstrasse now has 152 rooms and suites, two restaurants, two bars and an Ottoman-style spa.
Our basis: Location and design. Details are from the hotel’s older description.
7. Grand Hotel Wien: opened in 1870
The Grand Hotel Wien has been at the centre of Viennese social life since 1870, a few steps from the Opera and Kärntner Strasse. It has 205 rooms and suites in Belle Époque style.
Our basis: Heritage and location. Details are from the older description; 2026 status not re-checked.
8. Le Méridien Vienna: design and art
Le Méridien suits travellers who like contemporary design, with a minimalist look and an art-led room concept in the city centre.
Our basis: Design focus. Older description.
9. Meliá Vienna: Austria’s tallest hotel tower
Meliá Vienna sits in the 220-metre, 58-floor Danube City Tower. It has 253 rooms, floor-to-ceiling windows and a restaurant on the 57th floor.
It is the best choice for skyline views but is outside the historic centre.
Our basis: Views. Older description.
Closed, changed or on the way
Hotel Bristol, a Luxury Collection hotel next to the Opera, closed for a full restoration and is expected back around December 2027, so it leaves our list for now. We also dropped The Ring because we could not verify it. Palais Chotek, a 164-room hotel planned for spring 2026, was reported to be opening, but we could not confirm it.
Keep reading
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- Best hotels in Paris: another grand city break
FAQ
What is the best hotel in Vienna?
Hotel Imperial tops our list, followed by Hotel Sacher and the new Mandarin Oriental Vienna.
Is Hotel Bristol open?
No. It is closed for restoration and is expected to reopen around December 2027.
What is the newest luxury hotel in Vienna?
Mandarin Oriental Vienna, which opened in November 2025 with 138 rooms and suites.
When did Hotel Sacher open?
In 1876, so it marks its 150th anniversary in 2026.
Which Vienna hotel is a former palace?
The Imperial, built in 1863 as a prince’s residence, and Palais Coburg.
Where should I stay for views?
Meliá Vienna in the Danube City Tower, on the 57th floor restaurant level.
How we put this list together
We ranked hotels on setting, heritage, service tier and track record, using the hotels’ own descriptions and 2026 reporting. We left out nightly rates because they could not be verified.
Last updated: October 2026.
