June
2025

"Air conditioning in ALL guest rooms"

All guest rooms now have air conditioning! We are delighted to have commissioned brand-new air conditioners. They now ensure a pleasant indoor climate – even on hot days. In addition to modern technology and high energy efficiency, they boast quiet operation and environmentally friendly refrigerants.

Another step towards more "Hotel AUSTRIA" comfort, more well-being and sustainability in our guest rooms.

 

 

"RELAUNCH of our homepage"

We are proud to present our new website featuring a fresh design, optimised user guidance and up-to-date content.

The relaunch not only brings a modern appearance, but also many new features: better readability, improved navigation, faster loading times and an optimised display on mobile devices.

Looking forward to your feedback!
 

"Summer in Vienna"

Summer in Vienna - our tips for a great vacation in the capital.

Summer is approaching - and Vienna is showing its best side! Whether you are looking for relaxation, cooling off or sightseeing: There is something for everyone to experience in this capital city.

Culture & open air:
Numerous outdoor events take place in summer: From film festivals such as the “Kino unter Sternen” on Karlsplatz to concerts and readings in the MuseumsQuartier. The "Film Festival am Rathausplatz" is also an absolute highlight - with music, culinary delights and a unique atmosphere.

Swimming & relaxing: 
On hot days, Vienna's outdoor pools are a popular destination. Those who prefer a more natural experience can enjoy the cool waters of the Old Danube - perhaps even on a boat trip or another water activity.

Culinary voyage of discovery: 
Enjoy Viennese cuisine in one of the many Schanigärten or during a visit to the Heurigen in Grinzing - with a glass of wine and a view of the vineyards. Particularly charming: balmy summer nights in one of the traditional coffee houses with a guest garden.

Have we piqued your interest? 

Then book your room directly with us at www.hotelaustria-wien.at/booking or send us an email at office@hotelaustria-wien.at or call us on +43 1 515 23.

We look forward to welcoming you to Hotel Austria.
 

"Let us introduce more of OUR Team members!"

Mr Raphael BUCHER
Night porter

Mr. Raphael was born under the zodiac sign of Cancer. With the spontaneity and vitality which are typical for this sign, he is an excellent addition to our Reception team.

His motto: Helping our guests to enjoy a pleasant night's sleep at Hotel AUSTRIA through my commitment!

 

Johann Strauss

Immersive, informative and interactive: this is how the innovative Art & Tech permanent exhibition presents the biography of the Waltz King Johann Strauss II. In a first for Austria, the exhibition will feature a GPS-tracked audio guide that leads visitors through the audiovisual experience.

His own museum – what a birthday present! Even Johann Strauss (1825-1899), who was showered with honors, would have been impressed. The new Johann Strauss Museum will open in 2025 to mark the 200th anniversary of his birth. It is called “New Dimensions”, and the name says it all.

New innovative technology is being used here for the first time in Austria: visitors wear GPS-tracked headphones as they wander through the exhibition and discover the biography of Johann Strauss. The appropriate information is played at each location, accompanied of course by Strauss’ fantastic music. The journey through the seven exciting acts of Strauss’ life lasts around 75 minutes. The exhibition covers an area of 900 square meters, divided over two floors.

Audiovisual experience

There are no historical exhibits to be seen in this Johann Strauss Museum because it adopts a different approach: the tour through the exhibition leads visitors through darkened rooms, while screens with videos and visuals are mounted on the walls of the various sections (“acts”), along with prints, posters, graphics, maps and individual modern objects. These are showcased effectively using mirrors. The soundtrack draws visitors into the story – the whole creates a fascinating audiovisual experience.

A highlight at the end of the exhibition, which is well worth taking the time for, is the final large and immersive room, where the pivotal stages in the life of Johann Strauss are presented with impressive state-of-the-art visuals.

Family, career and global fame

Strauss’ biography is told chronologically, beginning in 1825 with Johann Strauss’ father, who was an acclaimed virtuoso violinist. Unfortunately, he turned out to be a fierce rival to his son of the same name, Johann Strauss II. It was only after his father’s death that the new Waltz King’s incredible international career took off. Russia, France, England and the USA – it was his tours abroad that earned him global fame. He composed dance music non-stop, before later turning to operetta.

Several women played decisive roles in Johann’s life: from his mother Anna to his unrequited love, Olga, and his three wives, Jetty, Lily and Adele. His brothers Josef and Eduard were just as important in the family business. The exhibition also reveals a lot about Strauss’ everyday life, his death and estate, as well as the appropriation of his music and person by the National Socialists.

A tip for creative types: create your own waltz on the composing machine and take it home as an audio file.

High tech in Art Déco

The building that now houses the Johann Strauss Museum is worth closer inspection: it is an elegant Art Deco building, designed in 1923 by the architects Hermann Aichinger and Heinrich Schmid. Both were students of the famous Art Nouveau master, Otto Wagner. As it happens, another architectural jewel of Viennese Modernism beckons from across the street: the Secession with its striking golden dome. Gustav Klimt’s Beethoven frieze and contemporary art can be admired inside.

Johann Strauss Museum - New Dimensions
https://www.johannstraussmuseum.at

Gustav Klimt - Pigment & Pixel

The exhibition presents a hypothetical reconstruction of the colors of Klimt’s so-called Faculty Paintings. These monumental canvases depicting allegories of Philosophy, Medicine, and Jurisprudence were commissioned for the ceiling of the Great Hall at the University of Vienna, although the paintings were never displayed in their intended location. They were destroyed in a fire in the final days of World War II. Black-and-white photographs were the only documents of their appearance. In collaboration with Google Arts & Culture, their original colors have now been reconstructed using artificial intelligence.

Recent technical analysis has shed new light on Gustav Klimt’s working methods and artistic practice. Glimpses beneath the layers of paint offer an insight into the process behind the paintings’ creation. On occasion these have revealed surprising divergences between the preliminary drawing and the final work.  

The exhibition also explores how Klimt made his legendary gold paintings. How did he apply gold to the canvas? Macroscopic images reveal that Klimt exclusively used precious gold leaf for his pictures. Included in the show will be Klimt’s iconic painting Judith, one of the artist’s first works to incorporate gold.

Pigment & Pixel
20. Februar - 7. September 2025

Lower Belvedere, Orangery
www.belvedere.at

Film Festival Rathausplatz

From June 28, the Film Festival will turn the Rathausplatz into an open-air venue for the 35th time with music films from the genres of pop/rock, opera, classical music and jazz, accompanied by a range of delicious food. What’s more, admission is completely free! This year’s anniversary edition features a new program and layout.

It’s one of the most popular summer events in the heart of the city and Europe’s largest cultural and culinary festival with free admission: The Film Festival at Rathausplatz founded in 1991 and located between Vienna City Hall and the Ringstrasse boulevard.

New era with a new look for the 35th anniversary

For this anniversary edition, the Film Festival is being presented in an even more open and urban way, with flowing transitions between the cinema and catering areas. Five imposing canopies called “Skyliners” will give the square a distinctive appearance and provide protection from the sun and rain. Another new feature is the Stage on the Ring for live performances and 50 chilled Viennas – the iconic Viennese street furniture – in the cinema area.

Music, good food and a party atmosphere

Outstanding music productions, a place for social gatherings and top-quality culinary delights – the Film Festival offers all of this at a magical location in the heart of the city. We are looking forward to a truly spectacular program in 2025. Movies from a wide variety of genres will be shown every evening on the 300-square-meter screen, ensuring there is something for every audience.  The Gastro Mile invites diners to go on a culinary journey around the world: Numerous gourmet food stalls offer freshly prepared dishes from all over the world from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., with closing time at midnight.

Opera, classical and jazz

In addition to Puccini’s La Bohème with Anna Netrebko and Vittorio Grigolo and Richard Strauss’ Elektra with Nina Stemme, the festival offers a variety of highlights. Die Fledermaus – one of Johann Strauss Sohn’s most popular operettas – will be performed as part of Strauss Year 2025 (to mark his 200th birthday!) as a special homage to the Waltz King.

Other movie highlights include Verdi’s Macbeth (a modern production by the Salzburg Festival), George Bizet’s Carmen (a Royal Opera House production), Gustav Mahler’s epic 9th Symphony (165th birthday) and 360° Swan Lake by the English National Ballet – an immersive dance spectacle.

A Night in Vienna honors the legendary jazz musician Oscar Peterson, who would have been 100 years old in August.

Side events: Jazz brunch, DJs, children’s opera

The Jazz Brunch is an invitation to a musical stroll every Sunday (12 noon to 2 pm). The performances of the Children’s Opera Festival start every Friday at 5 pm on a special screen in the Rathauspark. Before that, the youngsters can let off steam in the activity program offered by Mein SportPlatz. A live DJ will be on hand to deliver great sounds from Monday to Wednesday from 5 pm.

Two (live!) evenings of choral music are planned in partnership with Kultursommer Wien (July 19: pop/rock, July 20: timeless classics). Songwriter Sessions will showcase musical talents on July 12 and August 16.

35th Film Festival on Vienna’s Rathausplatz 2025

June 28 – August 31, 2025
11 a.m. – midnight (food served until 11 p.m.)
Movies begin at nightfall

City Hall Square
www.filmfestival-rathausplatz.at