Luxury & 5-star

Few European cities have a luxury hotel scene as dense as Vienna's - and few where the grand houses carry this much history. Hotel Sacher behind the State Opera has been an institution since 1832, Hotel Imperial occupies a former Ringstraße palais and traditionally hosts state guests. Add modern interpretations like the Park Hyatt Vienna or the DO & CO Hotel in the Haas-Haus right on Stephansplatz, where architecture and fine dining meet.

Geographically it is a simple story: Vienna's five-star hotels are concentrated almost entirely in the 1st district, the Innere Stadt. Stay here and the State Opera, Hofburg, Graben and Stephansdom are all within walking distance - you will not need a single transit ticket for the classic sights. The Ringstraße with its grand boulevard buildings remains the traditional luxury address, with many of the great houses dating back to the era of the 1873 World Exhibition.

On price, the category starts with the DO & CO Hotel and climbs well beyond that at the Sacher, Imperial and Park Hyatt. There is no real upper limit, especially for suites. The gap between entry-level rooms and suites is enormous in this segment, so check the exact room category before you book.

Three things are worth checking before booking. First, the rate: breakfast is not automatically included even at five-star level, yet it makes a real difference to the experience here. Second, timing: around New Year's Eve, the winter ball season and major opera premieres, the top houses sell out early and charge more. Third, cancellation terms: flexible rates cost a little extra but give you room to manoeuvre if plans change.