Vienna luxury hotel – Sacher Hotel
Hotel Sacher Vienna – an honest review
There’s only one place where the crème de la crème of travelers stay when they come to Vienna. Hotel Sacher is right in the heart of the city centre, and offers its guests a slice of Viennese luxury.
Founded in 1876, this five-star hotel’s history is as rich and colourful as its famous past guests. John F. Kennedy, Indira Gandhi and Queen Elizabeth have all stayed here. If you’re lucky, you may even unknowingly find yourself sitting next to a current famous person!
Its location is an excellent base for exploring Vienna. The Vienna State Opera is literally across the road, as is the Albertina museum.
The famous cake
As well as its first-class service, Hotel Sacher is famous for its decadently rich Sachertorte. It’s a sublime chocolate cake with apricot jam filling. Hotel Sacher’s the birthplace of the famous cake, first created by confectioner Franz Sacher.
Inside Sacher Hotel
There are 149 rooms and suites, all beautifully designed with a distinctive belle époque influence. The attention to detail is second to none: superbly comfortable bed, perfectly soft pillows and the cosiest hotel slippers my feet have ever tried!
I also have to mention the welcome chocolate and fruit plate, plus the yummy smelling toiletries from the Sacher Boutique Spa. Having a luxury experience in Vienna is staying at Hotel Sacher, it really is that good. My only one unfortunate bugbear is an experience we had with a staff member.
“Having a luxury experience in Vienna is staying at Hotel Sacher, it really is that good.”
FOLLOWING THE RIVERA
One small incident…
We were admiring the decor and architecture of the rooms just to the back of the lounge. Upon making our way back, a member of staff, a well-dressed man, told us that we couldn’t be there, and that the hotel was ‘not a museum.’
I completely disagree.
Hotel Sacher is a building steeped in history, and many of its features do make it in many ways ‘a museum’. Ultimately, the hotel’s there to be admired and appreciated.
Second, as a member of the Leading Hotels of the World, I don’t think it was right for the staff member to scold paying guests in this way. The area we were walking through was not private, and if it was, there wasn’t any sign to say so.
I want to share this, not to have a moan, but in the hope that maybe someone from the hotel will read this and discourage staff in the future to be careful with their choice of words. All in all, I’d more than happily stay again.
Hotel Sacher, Philharmoniker Str. 4, 1010 Wien, Austria
Would you like to stay at Hotel Sacher? Let me know in the comments below!
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“All in all, I’d more than happily stay again.”
FOLLOWING THE RIVERA
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That’s so strange that they wouldn’t want to show off their decor to guests! It’s a beautiful place!
Thanks Julia, I totally agree!
This looks exquisite! Not sure I would ever leave!!!!
Every corner of the hotel is stunning!
Did say chocolate cake with apricot jam filling? I’m sold already! Hotel Sachor looks and sounds absolutely gorgeous ~ it must be quite a treat staying here.
Thanks Mariza, it was wonderful! And yes, the Sachertorte is as delicious as it looks!
The hotel looks lovely — but it seems strange that you were scolded. Was it in an area not open to the public? Or did he simply not understand you were hotel guest? I know increasingly famous hotels like the Plaza in New York are restricting access to the public that want to come in an snap selfies, but to gripe at a hotel guest is inappropriate.
Thanks Ann for your comment. Yes, the manager looking guy knew we were guests, it’s not the type of place where anyone just wanders in, but I totally agree with you: it wasn’t appropriate to scold us!
What a lovely hotel! I’ve eating Sacher torte in many places around the world, but didn’t know the origin of the name. I’d be interested in staying there, but I do find it very strange though, that an employee would be scolding a hotel guest.
Thanks Ann, so now you know its origins! Yes, it was an unfortunate incident, but hopefully a one-off. Still a great hotel, and one I’d highly recommend
We had the Satcher Torte in the Satcher Hotel in Salzburg– yum! It wasn’t until. Later that I found out the original hotel is in Vienna. I would love to stay there it looks beautiful.
Hi Mel, yes I saw the other location in Salzburg, but unfortunately didn’t get to see it for myself! Glad we could share the experience together!
What a stunning hotel! It’s a little high class compared to my usual stays but I definitely wouldn’t mind stopping by for a Sachertorte. It’s so strange that you weren’t allowed to to look around – it would be understandable if there were signs indicating it was a private area but as there weren’t any, you definitely shouldn’t have been scolded. You’d expect people to be polite in such a prestigious hotel!
Thanks David for your comment. Yes, no one likes to be scolded, especially when you’re guests, and you weren’t doing anything wrong! I can confirm that the sachertorte is worth it, and super delicious!
Vienna is one of my favorite cities in Europe. I spent 3 weeks there a few years ago and it left such an impact on me. Sadly I was in a hostel as I was a poor graduate. Next time I’m staying here! For one night at least haha. Very strange they didn;t want you admiring the rooms. As you said hopefully someone will read and fix it.
I hope so too Claire! I think I wouldn’t have had the money as a poor student either, but those days are well behind me! It’s so pretty there, and I’m glad I got to stay at Hotel Sacher.
Hotel Sacher seems like the ideal hotel to stay in Vienna. The rooms look incredible with the most beautiful belle époque designs. It’s such a shame the hotel staff was so rude. The hotel should be admired and appreciated by guests.
Thanks Riely, it’s good to hear that my story is seen from this perspective. We were there for all of 1 minute, maybe less. Really not a way to speak to hotel guests.
OMG This looks luxury <3 I totally loved this place just by seeing your pictures and was lil bit disappointed that they were rude to you. What did you say him when he scold you? because I would not be quite if something like this would have happen to me. If it was not allowed for wandering then they should have locked the pathway and not be rude with their guest.
Hi Aareeba, honestly it happened so quickly, and the staff member walked away immediately that it was too late to say anything. It was only until later that we thought, hey that was pretty rude! Next time, I think I would address it. Thanks for dropping by 🙂
The hotel looks so gorgeous that its totally right to be just awestruck and admire its beauty! Chocolate cake with apricot jam filling? Pls send me some!
That said, its really unfortunate that one of their staff behaved like that!!! Too bad.
Haha, I wish I could, I wouldn’t mind a slice right now…! Yes, it’s a shame, but luckily it didn’t disappoint my experience!
For me, the Hotel Sacher in Vienna would be my dream hotel. I did try Sachertorte in the cafe when I went but didn’t see any of the hotel. The interior you photographed looks stunning. The incident with the staff seems to be a sour moment, part of being a guest there for me would be to photograph the interior, isn’t that why they make it immaculate?
Exactly James! End of the day, the hotel’s so historic that it’s there to be fawned over and photographed. Still, the hotel’s reputation is so high that maybe attitudes are changing. I hope not though; that this member of staff was just having an off day!
I just went here to have the cake … it was too expensive for me to stay in, but the building looked wonderful. I also love it’s location, opposite the opera. The cake and coffee is a must have … I agree!
I’m glad you had the chance to experience the coffee and cake! It’s so delicious, and Hotel Sacher is a beautiful building.
wow, you were lucky you got to stay there, it looks exquisite. pity about the snooty guy, otherwise i’m glad you had a nice stay.
It’s really beautiful and a wonderful taste of Viennese luxury 😀
The Hotel Sacher Vienna looks amazing! I’d love to try that cake! The rooms look clean and surprisingly spacious! I’d love to stay here if I head to Vienna!
It’s pretty sweet, and a real slice of luxury and decadence in the hotel and the cake! Thanks for stopping by.
Beautiful and definitely luxurious. Love the architecture of the hotel and the grand designs. I agree that hotels need to be admired in their entirety so not sure why you were told that it’s not a museum. Even though I am not big on sweets, I do enjoy them time to time, the cake sounds delicious.
The Sachertorte was delicious, and the perfect sugar overload in Vienna. Agree about the museum comment, it was so untrue!
That’s too bad the staff member told you that you couldn’t be in that part of the hotel, especially if it didn’t say otherwise. It does look like a beautiful hotel. And if you get some chocolate and apricot cake too, well that’s a plus in my book.
The sachertorte is to die for! Yes, it’s a real shame especially as it’s supposed to be 5-star. Still, I hope one day someone from the hotel reads this and instructs staff on guest etiquette 😀
What a gorgeous building! I first heard of sachertorte on a travel channel show and have been wanting to go to Vienna ever since to try it! How awesome that you got to stay at such a beautiful property!
I was very lucky! It’s a stunning building, with the one downside about the rude member of staff. Still, it won’t ruin my memory of it!
It looks so pretty! And the food sounds delectable. Unfortunately, you’re not the only who’s run into hotel staff who lack customer service ettiquite. I’m surprised something like that would be said to a hotel guest
You and me both Samah! I was quite surprised and not pleased, especially as we were paying guests. Also, Hotel Sacher is like a museum, just stunning!
The hotel looks beautiful and what a gorgeous building it is in! No wonder you wanted to admire every corner of it. Indeed the member of the staff shouldn’t have told you to leave just because you were looking around. I did have Sacher torte in Vienna but I can’t remember where. It was one of the fancy places though, so it might have been this hotel.
Ooh it might have been here, as they have a great cafe attached to the hotel. Yes, the rude comment was out of place, so I hope someone reads this and better instructs the staff the next time 🙂
Hotel Sachor seems to beautful to have such a mean staff. Prolly, something’s must have happened in he future with guests. Nevertheless, it doesn’t take the shine that he hotel is worth trying out and that you still have pictures to show for it(it’d be a bad idea if pictures were banned).
It’d be really bad if pictures were banned, thankfully they’re not! Hopefully the staff will treat guests a little more respectfully the next time 🙂
Wow, it looks amazing there! What a beautiful building, with so much history! Sorry that the mean manager man scolded you, that wasn’t deserved!
You’re too right, it wasn’t deserved at all! Still the building’s beautiful and almost like a museum 😀
You had me at cake, lol. But seriously–the hotel looks gorgeous. That exterior is amazing! What a beautiful place to get to relax.
I don’t blame you! It’s a wonderful place to relax and enjoy Vienna.
Despite that one incident, it looks like you guys had a fabulous stay at Hotel Sacher! The lavish interior was enough for me to want to book a night immediately upon my next trip to Vienna! And I wasn’t able to find Sachertort I could eat when I was in Vienna (the plague of a gluten and dairy allergy), but it sounds like the perfect place to get some!
Ah that’s such a shame! It’s a delicious cake, and maybe when you next return you can find some to suit your diet 🙂
Hotel Sacher in Vienna is perfect luxury stay with lavish interiors and have historical significance too. The building itself looks like a museum or a worth visiting place. But you have mentioned that staff is slightly rude which I also feel that, any leading hotel should improve on this. You have taken beautiful photos of the hotel Sacher.
Thank you 😀 It was a pleasure taking photos, and I do hope that someone at the hotel reads my post and better instructs the staff!
This sounds like a beautiful place to stay. I would be the person having lunch and not even notice that someone super famous may be sitting next to me. Its a shame about the member of staff who had a moan at you. I completely agree with you and places as beautiful as this should be admired.
Thank you, and it’s nice to know I’m not alone in how I feel! Hotel Sacher’s still a beautiful place and a must see in Vienna.
I think on my last visit to Vienna I passed this hotel, admired its beauty and stunning architecture from outside. Although being a budget traveler, I wasn’t planning to stay in a 5-star hotel. But going not only by the lavishness but also by the history of the hotel I would like to stay here one day. Even Indira Gandhi from my home country stayed here, how can I not spend a few extra bucks for such experience. Just the minor issue you had is little weird because generally hotel staff is excited when people explore & click pictures in expectation of a recommendation. Apart from this, it looks like you had an amazing time in this gorgeous hotel!!
You’re so right about it being a beautiful hotel, and I’d still urge people to stay there (if the budget allows) despite the mishap 🙂
Yes, the Sacher is definitely legendary (there even was a TV series in the 70s – today we would probably roll on the floor laughing) and I know that people are ordering the cake from all over the world. While it actually does look nice, the room looks a bit small and cramped – or is it just the picture?
It’s probably just my picture! We actually had a suite, one of the biggest, so trust me, it’s wonderful. And the Sachertorte is incredible 😀
I love luxury hotels and this one looks like somewhere I would love to stay. We have been wanting to go to Austria one day soon so I will bookmark your article!
That’s great to read. It’s a historic hotel and very luxurious too!
Oh how rude, for the staff to tell you its not a museum! If I am a paying guest at the hotel, I think I would like to wander around admiring the beauty at my own pace without having to hear that its not a museum. I love the architecture by the way, its gorgeous. I did not know such famous people have lived here, I am pretty sure it won’t be in my budget but I would love to drop by just to try the decadent chocolate cake with apricot jam filling. Yummy!
Going there for sachertorte is the second best thing! Totally agree about the staff; hopefully someone will read this one day and change their behaviour!
What a beautiful hotel! I love that it’s right in the city center. That makes exploring so much easier. Plus, any place that’s famous for cake is a place I NEED to be! 😛
I love Vienna! It’s such a beautiful city and I had some Sachertorte at Hotel Sacher too. Great hotel, great cake, great city!! 🙂
The cake really is delicious! And I think I ate about 3 slices when I was there 😀
Ahhhhhh Vienna! Looks great Lisa. I’d love to see Vienna. It seems such a cultured place. And this place seems a great base to do that from. Ian @ Resfeber
It’s a beautiful city, and a must see and stay hotel too.
Vienna is certainly a haven full of magnificent architecture and spectacular culture and history. It seems as though this hotel you’ve recommended here also emanates that same elegant aura and blends into the city with spectacular architectural facades and lovely amenities. Seems like you’ve enjoyed your stay here!
It’s a beautiful hotel, and with so much history too. In fact, I just saw it in a classic film called The Third Man!
Hold on, let me pick up my jaw from the floor. This hotel is just GORGEOUS!!!!! Bummer that you got told off you weren’t allowed to “tour” the hotel. Maybe they were just trying to make sure guests had their privacy?
It’s a stunning and historic hotel! Unfortunately no, because the area we were passing looked like a dining room, and it was empty (from the 1-minute glance we took)! Still an amazing place to stay.
I’m so jealous you got to stay at the Hotel Sacher! Talk about real luxury! It’s much nicer than the place I stayed at when I was in Vienna. But the staff member really should have known better than to address you that way!
Tell me about it, we were paying guests, and I’m a blogger, not a good move! It’s an incredible hotel and with so much history too.
Okay, you had me at chocolate cake filled with apricot jam. Hotel Sacher is so gorgeous and looks like the perfect place to chill and pamper one’s self. And the architecture is amazing. I’m going to have to look this one up when in Vienna.
That’s great to read! And the Sachertorte is absolutely delicious – wear loose clothing!
It’s a bit strange that they wouldn’t show off their decor to guests but nevertheless an amazing place. One I wouldn’t mind staying in.
It’s an awesome hotel, hopefully the service has improved now!