For Arts Sake – A Boutique Hotel in Vienna

Altstadt Vienna Hotel - Junior Suite one with an original Bösendorfer Piano, one with a fantastic roof top terrace.

On a trip through Europe in 2008 we decided to stop off for a few days in Vienna.  Flights booked all I needed was the accommodation.  With no knowledge of Vienna I entrusted the faithful Google with the ultimate challenge of finding me a hotel.  Given this trip was over four years ago, and the place still sticks with me as one of my favourite stays I would say “Google” did us proud!!

Otto E. Wiesenthal

Matteo Thun Designed Room

The uniqueness of the hotel is driven by the fact that the owner Otto E Wiesenthal, an art collector purchased the property in order to show case his very own collection of art.  A collection which includes Andy Warhol, Marcus Prachensky to name but a few.  Even the 42 rooms themselves are not immune to a little bit of famous design touch, with one bathroom containing the touches of Philippe Starck, and nine of the rooms being designed by the prestigeous Italian architect Matteo Thun.

In show casing the art works so central to the hotel,  not one of the 42 rooms, or numerous connecting corridors over the 5 floors are the same. Each are individually styled to compliment to works that they hold.  You can also sense the passion and thought for the interior from the owner through the intricate descriptions on the website.  They do not merely refer to a room by it’s name, but by it’s design, concept, feel and incorporation.  For example the Mateo Thun designed rooms are described by the dark parquet floors, ornate chandeliers “and sumptuous wallpapers with damask pattern present[ing] a fresh and modern intepretation of the turn of the centuries.  A seductive journey back to Vienna’s “Belle Epoque””.  A description which certainly beats the normal hotel description referring to some fluffy robes and a spa bath!

POLKA Designed Room - The POLKA Room

They have also recently created two new rooms which were designed by two viennese furniture designers named POLKA.  Their brief was  to “express comfort, transparency and elegance”

The building itself was built in the “Ring-Street” style in 1902, and was the palace of an industrialist from the Austrian – Hungarian monarchy.  He used the palace to showcase sanitary products from his company which was one of the biggest companies in the Industry at the time.  As a result, over the years, a number of factory halls were built into the court of the Patrician house and eventually these became lofts.  The building, then changed purpose in the 1950’s to be come a boarding house before being purchased by the current day owner.

Entrance

Even the lounge and dining areas and leading corridors are well thought through with little seated nooks that you can just stop and survey the surrounds.

Corridor at The Alstadt

Corridor at The Alstadt

Well if the description does not have you, the service certainly will.  Matched with the thought of the design the service is perfect, right down to the eggs which are boiled to perfection to start you on your day of touring the sights.  And when your weary legs can carry you no further, then you are welcomed back to afternoon tea with a perfect home baked cake.  All this is included in the rate…. The perfect colourful home from home.

On with the colourful journey………….

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