Hotel Altstadt Vienna

Tucked behind a discreet Habsburg-era doorway, Hotel Altstadt Vienna is a boutique,art-infused retreat in hip Spittelberg, the 'SoHo' of Vienna's 7th district, astride the MuseumsQuartier (MQ). Altstadt is an independent, family-run hotel that blends historic whispers with a curated collection of over 200 artworks. The culture of this original Wiener residence is palpable, making it one of Vienna’s most distinctive design hotels.

A gorgeously random beauty, filled with curiosity and witty beguilement, the scene is fittingly more gallery than art hotel; Altstadt is decked in more than 200 pieces of personal art, sculptures and installations, the private collection of owner and curator Otto Wiesenthal. The real question is, which came first, the luxury boutique stay or the artwork? Another distinguishing facet of the hotel is the plethora of designers, actors, curators, architects and Austrian celebs who were invited to create the suites - all Stammgäste (regular guests). Each has parted with their emotional bond to their Altstadt, making it a sweet mélange of styles. 

Style Chameleons

What is cohesive is the free-flowing creativity and eclecticism. Altstadt is a famed bolthole for theatre and film actors, who reside here often for months on end, as do designers, thinkers, writers and fellow art enthusiasts; it is, after all, located in bohemian Vienna. Oversized, winding, gallery-inspired corridors lead to Altstadt's Wunderkammerof interiors by the likes of architect Adolf Krischanitz, a tribute to Austrian Josef Frank and his colourful Akzidentismus shape was designed by Jennie Pineus - Director of Svenskt Tenn's Interior Design Studio, the head of the MAK – Museum of Applied Arts in Vienna, Lilli Hollein, actor Tobias Moretti, and the likes of architect Matteo Thun. Kaleidoscopic themes too run throughout the hotel with tags like The Freud Suite –an immersive journey into the past and the world of the famous Viennese psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud designed by architect Elfrid Wimmer-Repp, or the United Nations Suite by Roland Nemetz, from Plan B Architects. 

From red velvet theatricals to minimalist softness, designer pieces cuddle up to antiquities, contemporary snuggles with the modernist and the eccentric sleeps with the flamboyant – this curatorial-led boutique interior is lucid, fused with racy creativity capturing the cultural soul of the Viennese. Some are brushed with the hallmarks ofheritage, while others are light-filled affairs with pops of canary-yellow colour against faded Persian carpets, booklined walls, Smeg fridges and chandeliers. The house is cultural, suave and gemütlich-comfy. 

Warhol meets Leibowitz and Niki de Saint Phalle

The Altstadt Vienna houses a considerable collection of contemporary art. Whether on loan from big museums or owned by Otto E. Wiesenthal, the works by Warhol, Brigitte Kowanz, Prachensky, Leibowitz, Niki de Saint Phalle, Attersee, Helnwein et al. have, as Otto puts it "three things in common: They inspire. They allow you to dwell in the moment. And pose questions. For us, this is what makes art good."

Is that Otto?

Owner and art curator Otto Wiesenthal is a behind-the-scenes kinda guy, preferring to let his family – Saskia and Lisa take preference, who together are the collective faces of individuality that form the lovely, familiar Hotel Altstadt. Otto can often be found sitting quietly in a comfy corner – with the occasional glance over his newspaper as he observes with a wry smile of satisfaction. Your hosts are pioneers in delivering a totally informal, personable concept and always "beaming with a smile". Beginning with just a couple of suites, the Altstadt has stretched out its wings, gradually acquiring more floors within the traditional Viennese townhouse. It now boasts more than 60 suites, apartments, and rooms—the only difficulty is choosing your favourite. 

Mit Schlagobers

Grounding the hotel is the honesty bar lounge populated with sofas by Wittmann (another Wiener institution, an Austrian furniture maker since 1896), the odd Thonet amongst the books, and lots of nooks to sit back incognito. Breakfast is considered a mandatory pleasure at the Altstadt Hotel—easily one of the best in Europe. It favours Viennese Frühstück culture for lingering, reading the newspapers, and feasting atleisure. Help yourself to afternoon cakes and baked treats, served naturally with Schlagobers (whipped cream).  

Naschmarkt & Co.

Historic Vienna is a really easy city to navigate, aided by its distinctive districts. The Altstadt Hotel is located in Spittelberg's hip, artistic 7th district (the SoHo/TriBeCa of Vienna), only a four-minute stroll from the Museumsquartier in the prime 1st district. Just edging on the tourists in a zone of residential townhouses, urban villas and artistic scenes - this location provides an insight into true Viennese living while settled snug near the main sites, including Hofburg, Naschmarkt, The Albertina and vibe of Stephansplatz. Besides that, the famed shopping mile of Vienna, Mariahilferstraße, is just around the corner, as is the Imperial Ringstraße decked in pure Habsburg romance.