Hotel Bristol is at Kaerntner Ring 1, directly across from the Vienna State Opera, and that single fact explains why it has been a favourite of opera-goers since it opened in 1892. It is a member of the Luxury Collection and has 150 rooms and suites, large enough to offer the facilities of a grand hotel and small enough to maintain a traditional character. The building has the proportions you would expect on the Ring: a stately facade, high-ceilinged public rooms, polished service and a sense that the hotel has seen a lot of evenings in evening dress. There is a restaurant and a bar on the property, a 24-hour gym and a daily buffet breakfast, which is a separate charge, so check your rate when you book. Rooms are decorated in a classic style, with some categories overlooking the Opera, a view worth paying for on a performance night. The walking distances from the front door are the main argument: the State Opera is about two minutes away, the Ringstrassen Galerien about two, the Hofburg about three, the Spanish Riding School about eight and St Stephen's Cathedral about nine. That makes it easy to see most of the centre on foot, to change before an evening performance and to walk back afterwards. The hotel is a more traditional choice than the design-led boutique hotels of Neubau, and the price reflects the address, but visitors who want to wake up opposite the Opera and the Ring will find few better positions. Breakfast and other extras are priced separately, and the city's tourist tax is added to the room rate.
The rooms and the feel
The rooms combine classic furnishings with modern comforts, with differences in size and outlook between categories. The most sought-after rooms look toward the Opera, while others face quieter streets, so if sleep matters more than view, ask for a room away from the Ring. The mood is calm and formal, and the hotel is accustomed to guests who are in town for music, business or celebration.
Eating and drinking
The restaurant and bar on the property are convenient for a pre-opera meal or a late drink, and the buffet breakfast is served in the morning for an additional charge. The streets around the Opera and Kaerntner Strasse are packed with cafes and restaurants, and the Sacher, a few steps away, is a short walk for cake. If you want to try a traditional coffee house, there are several within five minutes on foot.
Location
Kaerntner Ring 1 is at the start of Kaerntner Strasse and opposite the Opera, with the Karlsplatz underground station nearby for the Naschmarkt, the Belvedere and the Musikverein. The Albertina, the Hofburg and the cathedral are all on foot. For couples, opera lovers and first-time visitors who want a central base in an old-fashioned grand hotel, the Bristol is a safe and satisfying choice.
Why stay here
- ✓Opposite the State Opera since 1892
- ✓150 rooms and suites
- ✓On-site restaurant
- ✓Bar and lounge
- ✓24-hour gym
- ✓Daily buffet breakfast
- ✓Opera-view rooms in some categories
- ✓Hofburg three minutes on foot
Good questions
Is the Bristol opposite the State Opera?+
Yes. It stands at Kaerntner Ring 1, directly across from the State Opera, about two minutes on foot from the entrance.
How far is it from the Hofburg and the cathedral?+
The Hofburg is about three minutes on foot, the Spanish Riding School about eight and St Stephen's Cathedral about nine.
Is breakfast included?+
A buffet breakfast is served daily for an additional charge. Whether your rate includes it depends on the option you choose, so check when you book.
