Rosewood Waltzes Into Vienna With A New Resort – Forbes

Vienna has long been associated with a rich artistic and musical legacy, classical architecture, and refined elegance—along with its decadent pastries. Now, the city known as the home of the Sachertorte, is also the site of Rosewood’s first hotel in the German-speaking market and the brand’s fifth European property.

Opening earlier this week, Rosewood Vienna is sited in a restored 19th-century neoclassical building that was the former headquarters of the Erste Group Bank AG. The landmarked structure has been transformed into 71 spacious guest rooms and 28 suites over seven floors with every luxury amenity.

“The opening of Rosewood Vienna offers today’s ultra-luxury travelers a new kind of Viennese lifestyle, one that is imbued with the rich history of the destination yet the modern and cosmopolitan outlook befitting this dynamic European capital,” says Alexander Lahmer, Managing Director of Rosewood Vienna.

“We are thrilled to open our doors to a distinctive hospitality experience in one of the world’s greatest cities.”

A coveted location in the heart of the Vienna

Rosewood Vienna is located at Petersplatz, one of Vienna’s most famous squares and just steps away from the luxury shops and restaurants on the pedestrian streets of Graben, Kohlmarkt, and Tuchlauben. Nearby are St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the Hofburg Imperial Palace complex in the city’s Old Town.

A reimagined space that feels like a home

Two architectural firms, A2K and BEHF, both of Vienna, collaborated with London interior design studio Alexander Waterworth to create a warm, residential setting that showcases the city’s artistic heritage.

Evocative murals painted by Austrian artist Marie Hartig cover the walls of Salon Aurelie, the hotel’s lobby lounge that offers the ambience of a chic Viennese coffee house. Here, guests can relax while they enjoy light bites and beverages.

Guest rooms at Rosewood Vienna feature tasteful, custom-made furnishings and luxurious fabrics by Backhausen. Commissioned works by leading international artists, including illustrations, archival photography, lithographs and wall sculptures, can be found throughout the hotel.

Kroenland, a Viennese firm, created the brasserie and rooftop bar with sweeping views of the Old Town. The other public spaces—including the restaurants, wellness center and meeting rooms—similarly reflect the lifestyle and spirit of Vienna.

The luxury Asaya Spa, the first at a Rosewood property outside of Asia, extends over two floors. Therapies, spa treatments and wellness offerings are provided in a unique space with views of the dome and bell towers of St. Peter’s Church.

Destination dining

The eclectic menu of the restaurant and outdoor terrace at Neue Hoheit (New Highness) on the sixth floor includes brasserie-style European dishes along with Austrian classics. The cuisine reflects Vienna’s history as a cultural crossroads.

The rooftop cocktail bar on the seventh floor offers a menu of creative cocktails; a collection of rare vintages are stowed in the bar’s handcrafted cabinetry.

A Sense of Place, of course

All Rosewood properties embrace the brand’s “A Sense of Place” philosophy—and so does Rosewood Vienna.

The hotels offers guests curated experiences and special access to local culture through its “Discover My Vienna” program. This may include shopping for Augarten porcelain, designing tailor made shoes at Scheer boutique, or experiencing one of the city’s culinary treasures, Zu Herknerin, a traditional Austrian tavern.

Just walking through the building, guests can “sense” its rich history. The hallowed walls of the new hotel once encompassed the apartment where Mozart lived and wrote The Abduction from the Seraglio.

*For additional information, visit the Rosewood Vienna website.

The other Rosewood properties in Europe include Rosewood London; Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco in Tuscany; Hotel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel in Paris; and Rosewood Villa Magna in Madrid.