Austria hotels where to stay.
18 cities, ranked and mapped — from the capital to the coast.
About Austria
Hotels in Austria are wonderfully varied: you can base yourself in grand city breaks, cosy café-lined historic centres, or in lift-connected mountain villages built for skiing and hiking. Austria spans nine federal provinces, so styles of travel quickly change from east-to-west—from Vienna’s imperial culture to the Alpine landscapes of Tirol and Salzburg.
Where to stay by region - Vienna: ideal for museums, classical music and shopping; pair city hotels with day trips to palaces and gardens (for example Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna). - Salzburg (Salzburg city): perfect for music lovers and compact sightseeing; plan a day around Mirabell Palace and its gardens. - Tyrol / Alpine valleys (St Anton, Ischgl, Kitzbühel, Lech, Längenfeld, Hintertux, Ellmau, Kaprun, Neukirchen am Grossvenediger, Wildschönau): best for skiing-first itineraries and scenic summer hikes. As an example of premium alpine stays, Hotel Arlberg sits in Lech am Arlberg. - Carinthia / thermal relaxation (Bad Kleinkirchheim): a smart choice for wellness-focused winter breaks and easy access to family-friendly slopes.
When to go For winter sports, most travellers aim for December to March, with peaks around Christmas and New Year. Skiing conditions are often excellent in January, while late season can still work well for snow-sure higher resorts. For a calmer, greener Austria, late spring through early autumn suits long hikes and lake days in the Alpine regions—book early for school holiday weeks.
Getting around Intercity travel is easiest by train, and Austria’s regional rail network connects well to major bases such as Vienna and Salzburg. In the mountains, it’s often best to stay in one main resort area and use local buses, shuttles, and ski-lift systems—this reduces transfer time and makes day planning effortless.
Cities in Austria
Best 5-star hotels in Austria
SO Vienna Hotel
Vienna · guest 9 (2,951)Rooftop dining and bar energy by the Danube, with panoramic city views.
Hotel Bristol, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Vienna
Vienna · guest 9 (2,058)Opera-facing luxury in Vienna's Innere Stadt, with Sirk restaurant overlooking the house.
Steigenberger Hotel Herrenhof
Vienna · guest 9 (4,574)Historic Innere Stadt base, steps from Herrengasse subway, with a standout breakfast buffet.
Ambassador
Vienna · guest 8.7 (4,721)Old-school grand hotel on Kärntner Straße, with breakfast in the winter garden.
Best 4-star hotels in Austria
Boutique Hotel am Stephansplatz
Vienna · guest 9.6 (4,035)Polished central Vienna stay by Stephansplatz with standout breakfasts and cathedral-view suites.
Altstadt Vienna
Vienna · guest 9.6 (4,297)Art-filled Neubau base with a rooftop terrace season and tea-and-cake rituals.
Hotel Kaiserhof Wien
Vienna · guest 9.6 (3,621)Refined Wieden hideout near Karlsplatz with a breakfast buffet worth lingering over.
Henriette Stadthotel
Wien · guest 9.4 (2,699)Relaxed Prater district stay with U1 outside and a standout breakfast buffet.
Best 3-star hotels in Austria
Boutique Hotel Stadthalle
Vienna · guest 9.4 (2,142)Quiet Vienna stay near Westbahnhof, with a rooftop garden and lavender.
Artist Boutique hotel wien
VIENNA · guest 9.3 (3,308)Calm Josefstadt boutique spot near Rathaus metro with long, late-running breakfast.
Hotel Weisses Kreuz Innsbruck
Innsbruck · guest 9.2 (2,661)Old Town Innsbruck stays steps from the Golden Roof, with a praised breakfast buffet.
Star Inn Hotel Wien Schönbrunn
Vienna (and vicinity) · guest 8.9 (6,733)Tram-linked Rudolfsheim stay with soundproof rooms and convenient on-site continental breakfast.
Best 2-star hotels in Austria
Wombats City Hostel -The Naschmarkt
Vienna · guest 8.7 (4,566)Social adults-only hostel in Wieden, steps from Naschmarkt and the U4 metro.
St Christopher's Vienna - Hostel
Vienna · guest 8 (3,379)Adult-only hostel near Hauptbahnhof with private bathrooms and its own bar-restaurant.
a&o Wien Stadthalle
Vienna · guest 6.9 (2,913)Local Vienna base near tram links, with a bar and breakfast room.
a&o Graz Hauptbahnhof
Graz · guest 6.7 (4,377)Lively, station-side digs in Graz with family spaces and a casual bar.
FAQ
What are the best cities/areas to stay in Austria?
Vienna and Salzburg for culture; for mountains, base in resorts such as Lech, St Anton, Ischgl, Kitzbühel, Bad Kleinkirchheim, Saalbach, Kaprun or Hintertux.
When is the best time to visit for hotels and activities?
For skiing, plan December to March (with January a top pick); for hiking and scenery, choose late spring to early autumn.
What’s the easiest way to get around Austria?
Use trains for city-to-city travel, then local buses/shuttles (and lift access in ski areas) from your chosen base.