Inside the Rosewood Vienna: the luxury hotel’s neoclassical building was once home to Mozart – now with 100 rooms and suites, its central location makes it an excellent base for exploring the old town

Dec 20 , 2024

Inside the Rosewood Vienna, which was once home to Mozart, and is an excellent base for exploring the historic old town. Photo: Handout

The property’s location near St Stephen’s Cathedral and major museums makes it ideal for visiting historic landmarks and cultural attractions – no wonder it proved a hit with Vienna’s most famous son

It’s easy to see why Austria’s capital, Vienna, is having a moment. This epicentre of history, culture, music and art is also often touted as one of Europe’s most liveable cities and is especially magical during the holiday season when it’s transformed into a winter wonderland complete with snow-covered streets, festive Christmas markets and the scent of glühwein (mulled wine) in the air.

The Rosewood Vienna has 63 spacious rooms and 37 suites. Photo: Handout

Its luxury hotel scene, however, was more or less stagnant for eight years until Rosewood opened a hotel in 2022. Like most of the group’s European properties, it’s located on prime real estate – in this case, a stone’s throw from Vienna’s major museums, designer boutiques and tourist hotspots like St Stephen’s Cathedral, making it an ideal base for exploring the city.

The Rosewood Vienna is close to museums, designer boutiques and St Stephen’s Cathedral. Photo: Handout

The neoclassical building that houses the hotel – it dates back to the 19th century – boasts all the hallmarks of a Viennese historical landmark, including a connection to the city’s most famed resident, Mozart, who once occupied a flat upstairs. Enter the hotel through its modern, light-filled atrium, and you instantly feel miles away from the crowds.

Instagrammers will enjoy Salon Aurelie with its hand-painted floral murals. Photo: Handout

The lobby is located on the first floor – a rarity in Europe – and is made up of several intimate salons (an enthusiastic greeting from the head concierge’s adorable dog adds to the warm welcome). The interiors are contemporary and elegant with curved velvet sofas, sculptural light fixtures and vintage postcards dotted about. Instagrammers will gravitate towards Salon Aurelie with its hand-painted floral murals by a Viennese artist. During the summer it’s packed with guests enjoying high tea and seasonal flavours of Gugelhupf, the Austrian version of a Bundt cake, which is made using a family recipe of the hotel’s managing director.

The Rosewood Vienna offers modern amenities just steps away from the historic old town. Photo: Handout

The gorgeous interiors continue through to the hotel’s 63 spacious rooms and 37 suites, which are connected via a maze of hallways. Standard rooms start at a generous 320 square feet and feel more like a private pied-à-terre with their lofty ceilings and ample space. Interior buffs will love the art deco touches, while modern comforts such as Dyson hairdryers, electronically controlled blinds and Toto toilets are a heaven sent for discerning travellers. Little details – be it the mini bar stocked with organic spirits from home-grown producers, books about Viennese history, Austrian-made fabrics or eclectic artworks by local artists – really create a sense of place, a philosophy that Rosewood has made its signature.

The Rosewood Vienna’s Neue Hoheit Brasserie features a terrace overlooking local landmarks. Photo: Handout