Traveling to Vienna almost all visitors make an effort to see The Vienna State Opera House, known locally as the Wiener Staatsoper. Adjacent to the Opera House is the historical Hotel Sacher, Vienna – the premier five-star luxury hotel in the city. Living in Vienna, I probably walk by this beautiful hotel once a week.
Recently, I was invited to tour the hotel by Peter Zwickl, the International Senior Sales Manager at the Hotel Sacher. Peter and I first met a few years ago in Atlanta and it was great to catch up with him… and get some behind-the-scenes information on this Grand Hotel!
For many travelers to Vienna, the “Sacher” name is synonymous with a dessert, the Sacher-torte. And yes, it’s the same family. In the mid 1800’s, at the age of sixteen, confectioner Franz Sacher created this famous pastry. His son, Eduard Sacher, opened the Hotel Sacher in 1876. The driving force behind the growth of the hotel was his wife, Anna Sacher née Fuchs, who managed the hotel after Eduard’s death in 1892. She was … eccentric, almost always seen with her beloved French bulldogs and a cigar firmly clenched in her mouth! Under her direction, The Hotel Sacher became one of the finest hotels in the world.
When Anna died in 1930 the hotel changed ownership, survived WWII relatively intact (the British used the hotel as their post-war headquarters), and is now owned by the Gürtler family. They extensively renovated the hotel and today it is quite impressive – combining the history of Vienna and the modern amenities you would expect in a 21st century hotel. The Hotel Sacher remains the only family-owned and family-run luxury hotel in Vienna.
The guest list at The Hotel Sacher has included Royalty, Statesman, and because of the convenience to the Opera House, many performers … including Emperor Franz Joseph, King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Prince Rainier III of Monaco and Grace Kelly, President John F. Kennedy, Indira Gandhi, Herbert von Karajan, Leonard Bernstein, Leo Slezak, Plácido Domingo, José Carreras, and Rudolf Nureyev. In March 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono gave their famous “Bagism” press conference from the Hotel Sacher.
In a tradition started by Anna Sacher née Fuchs, photos were taken of important guests and displayed in the lobby – so everyone would know who was staying at The Hotel Sacher! Today, these photos are still displayed in the hotel and you can walk through 100+ years of memorable guests.
As Peter explained to me, because of the hotels’ stature as a protected landmark, the lobby area looks the same as it did in the 1800’s. (but certainly updated and maintained). It’s like stepping back in time.
With their ancestral heritage as restaurateurs, you would expect The Hotel Sacher to have impressive dining options – and they do. There’s the Restaurant Rote Bar, where you can enjoy traditional Viennese specialties; The Restaurant Anna Ascher, where Chef Dominik Stolzer, combines tradition and a modern spirit to create a unique cuisine. There is also the legendary Blaue Bar – a great place to meet before heading to the Opera. And of course, the Cafe Sacher Wien… where I’ve stopped many times to have a coffee!
And for our Virtuoso clients, here is a peek at the complimentary breakfast — including a special area set up just for the kids!
![Hotel Sacher Vienna Breakfast](http://www.ronphillipstravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/20160624_102007-e1469508845613.jpg")
Rooms at the Hotel Sacher, Vienna are – as you would expect – luxurious. They are also quite modern with the technology the 21st century traveler desires. All 149 rooms have been renovated and reflect the culture and fashion that is Vienna. The rooms include:
- Superior and Deluxe Rooms – between 30-40 sq. meters in size; the highest levels of comfort and amenities
- Top Deluxe Rooms – between 40-45 sq. meters in size; Elegant sofas in each room.
- Junior Suite and Deluxe Suites – between 50-70 square meters; bedrooms and living rooms with under-floor heating
- Executive Suites – between 50-70 square meters; Views of the Opera House or to the Albertina Gallery
- One and Two Bedroom Suiten – between 80-110 sq. meters; spectacular views over Vienna
- Presidential Suite Magic Flute; Presenditial Suite Madame Butterfly; and Penthouse Presidential Suite
On the day of my visit, the Hotel Sacher was fully booked (as it often is!). Thus, Peter and I were only able to see two rooms. My room photos don’t do the hotel justice. Go to the hotel website and see their photos – You will find the rooms are simply stunning. On the top floors – from the balcony of a suite – you get this view of the Albertina Museum!
And yes, you can purchase a Sacher-torte at the hotel…
Through our relationship with Brownell, a Virtuoso agency, we are able to secure these Virtuoso amenities when booking through Ron Phillips Travel at the Hotel Sacher, Vienna:
For 2016
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Daily Buffet breakfast, for up to two in room guests served in the Marble Hall
- One ‘Time to Chocolate’ 30 minute treatment per room (reservation required at least 7 days in advance to guarantee appointment)
- Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
For 2017
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Buffet Breakfast daily, for up to two in-room guests, served in the Marble Hall
- One 30min “Time-to-Chocolate” treatment per room at Sacher Boutique Spa (subject to availability and advanced appointment required)
- Complimentary one-way train ticket for two guests from/to Vienna to/from Salzburg when booking both Sacher Hotels
- $100 USD Hotel credit for Deluxe Junior Suites, Executive Suites, One- and Two Bedroom Suites and Presidential Suites
- Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
Note: Virtuoso amenities are subject to change
copyright (c) 2016 by Ron Phillips Travel LLC – luxury travel and consultancy. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this post or questions about booking travel, Contact Ron Phillips Travel
