Housed in a palatial 19th century palace along Vienna’s historic Ringstrasse, The Ritz-Carlton Vienna fuses modern style with traditional European charm
Charming, historic, festive and stunning are just a few of the adjectives that come to mind when describing the Ritz-Carlton Vienna. The property itself is housed inside one of the palatial 19th century palaces that line the historic Ring Boulevard, making it a very central location. Cobblestone streets give you the sense of traditional European charm, while the large bold letters of the Ritz, flanked by dangling icicle lights remind you that luxury awaits.
As the Ritz Carlton is a luxury hotel brand, recognized around the world, you can always expect the design to be elegant with contemporary and modern touches throughout. But for the holidays, the design and decor goes into festive mode! When we walked into the lobby, bright lights and faux bright trees lined the interiors with velvety (almost life size) stuffed animals mingling throughout. It sounds a little kitschy, I know, but wow was it beautiful and elegant. It was like walking through a winter fairytale, just completely mesmerizing and totally captivating.
Our Room
Walking into the hotel, we just knew our room would be beautiful, and we were not disappointed. Our bedroom was spacious and sleek, and featured fluffed white linens and neutral textured walls. Since we had the suite, our accommodations also featured a large bathroom with white marble counters and a dramatic black backsplash, a big soaking tub, another small bathroom, a cozy living area, a walk-in closet, and big beautiful windows.
It was luxurious, but the added personal touches made it that much more special. When we arrived at our room, we were greeted with a hand-written note welcoming us, complete with some yummy snacks. We were traveling with out 2 year old son, and the hotel staff had set up a beautiful crib with linens and toiletries for him, as well.
Some other room options include city and courtyard views, heated flooring in the bathrooms, separative living and sleeping areas, fully functional kitchens, high ceilings, designer fabrics, private entrance suites, children’s accommodations, and so much more. So whether you're traveling as one, or with a group, you can be comfortable and taken care of.
About Club Level
Part of the Ritz Carlton hallmark is to combine personalization with exclusivity, so they are proud to offer the option to upgrade your suite to Club Level to gain access to extra perks. If you are traveling with kids, I highly recommend the Club Level just for this alone! You have to request to book this ahead of time, and pay a surcharge, but it’s well worth it. They have games, books, fun experiences such as a treasure hunt throughout the hotel, and even have a candy bar for these “Ritz-Kids.”
For the adults, round-the-clock food and cocktails are also available. Their distinctive offerings include: a daily apple strudel ceremony, Vienna coffee house culture, a beer class, wine tasting, and a collection of local sweets and pastries. Basically you’ll be well fed throughout your stay :) The Club Level perks also allow guests to enjoy the finest Viennese fare and hospitality. In fact, they only serve organic and local ingredients in their dishes to maximize flavor and experience. Which brings me to my next topic: dining at the Ritz!
Dining & Drinking at Ritz Carlton
As expected, the restaurants at the Ritz were amazing. One of our favorites restaurants was Pastamara. Like the name suggests, it’s a Sicilian restaurant that serves up everything from Italian street food classics to decadent seafood and pasta dishes. I’d recommend starting with a few arancini, seared tuna and the Pane e Panelle, which is a fried chickpea sandwich. For the main course, you’ve got to try the Pasta Taratata. It’s a spaghetti dish with bottarga sauce- which is made from salted and cured fish roe. The lemon sorbet is the perfect palette cleanser after a rich meal, so ask if it’s available!
Our next stop during our visit was Dstrikt, which is a swanky steak house where locals also frequently enjoy candlelit dinners alongside hotel guests. They serve up the finest cuts of meat, all prepared on a charcoal grill. With picturesque evening views, guests can enjoy their steaks, prawns and oysters on the patio overlooking the famed Ring Boulevard (when the weather permits). This restaurant was busy yet inviting, and the plating and decor were equally beautiful.
If you’re in the mood for a cocktail, then you have to check out D Bar. Its classic black and red decor and district view make it perfect for a nightcap after a great meal. But, these aren't just typical run of the mill cocktails. They’re made with inspiration from ingredients around the world, so you can expect some pretty interesting combinations. They also serve specialty drinks such as smoke infused cocktails and their hand-crafted cocktails with remarkable molecular influences, which guests can enjoy in the outdoor Schanigarten in the warmer months.
One of my favorites is the Pina Negroni which is made with gin, Antica Formula and pineapple infused Campari. If you’re not into something on the menu, you can always just tell the bartender what you like and they can go from there!
The Spa at Ritz Carlton
The spa menu at the Ritz Carlton features treatments from Susanne Kaufmann, all with organic ingredients sourced from Western Austria’s Bregenz forest. They offer unique and personalized treatments and cosmetics, and are centered around holistic wellness. You can choose a single treatment or splurge on a spa package. The rooms are comfortable and serene, a perfect setting to melt away and relax for a few hours. You can find a list of the spa menu here. Or if you’re not looking to do a full treatment, you can always venture down to their indoor pool.
“The spa menu at the Ritz Carlton features treatments from Susanne Kaufmann, all with organic ingredients sourced from Western Austria’s Bregenz forest. They offer unique and personalized treatments and cosmetics, and are centered around holistic wellness. ”
What to do in Vienna
Europe over the holidays is pure magic. I’m not sure if it's the cold and snowy atmosphere, or the Christmas Markets at every corner, seemingly in every European city, or the smell of fresh pastries and mulled wine in the air. Whatever it is, you can’t help but get in a festive spirit, and being surrounded by it all, just forces you to be cheerful.
We visited Austria during the holidays, so we scoped out the local Christmas markets every chance we got. The ones in Vienna are some of the most vibrant and beautiful ones we have encountered in Europe. In fact, the Ritz Carlton even had a quaint christmas market on the rooftop of the hotel, which was a great place to take in the views and sip Gluhwein.
“ If you haven’t visited Vienna for the Holidays, I highly recommend it. The atmosphere is nothing short of magical, there is plenty to see and do- which is great for the kids, and it will get you feeling festive while sipping on local holiday drinks and treats. ”
The Art Advent market was also within walking distance of our hotel. It’s a great place for exploring, and the kids' area had booths that were centered around arts and crafts, which Axel loved.
Finally, it’s a short walk to Stephansplatz, a large city square and street-perfect for shopping! Since we visited during the holidays, the entire street was lit up with beautiful displays and shimmering lights. It was such a beautiful place to shop and spend time with family.
This was a great hotel for a Vienna getaway with the family. The location was ideal with so much food, entertainment, and market walkability. The Christmas decor just made it feel that much more special and festive, and we really loved the personalized luxury experience that is so characteristic of the Ritz.
