Lodging

Starting at the lower end, you can find a room in a private house or on a farm, or dormitory space in a youth hostel. Next come the simpler pensions, many of them identified as Frühstückspensionen (bed-and-breakfasts). Gasthäuser are simpler country inns. Fancier pensions in cities can often cost as much as hotels; the difference lies in the services they offer. Most pensions, for example, do not staff the front desk around the clock. Among the hotels, you can find accommodations ranging from the most modest, with a shower and toilet down the hall, to the most elegant, with every possible amenity. Increasingly, more and more hotels in the lower to middle price range are including breakfast with the basic room charge, but check when booking. Room rates for hotels in the rural countryside can often include breakfast and one other meal. The cheaper option in Austria will usually still bring high standards. Most village Gasthöfe take great pride in providing sparkling cleanliness and a warm welcome—and you’ll often find they have spacious rooms of great character.

Lodgings in Austria are generally rated from one to five stars, depending mainly on the facilities offered and the price of accommodations rather than on more subjective attributes like charm and location. In general, five-star properties are top of the line, with every conceivable amenity and priced accordingly. The distinctions get blurrier the farther down the rating chain you go. There may be little difference between two- and three-star properties except perhaps the price. In practice, don't rely heavily on the star system, and always try to see the hotel and room before you book. That said, lodging standards are generally very good, and even in one- and two-star properties you can usually be guaranteed a clean room and a private bath.

These German words might come in handy when booking a room: air-conditioning (Klimaanlage); private bath (Privatbad); bathtub (Badewanne); shower (Dusche); double bed (Doppelbett); twin beds (Einzelbetten).

All hotels listed have private bath unless otherwise noted.

Hotels in Vienna

The luxury hotel market has surged in Vienna in recent years, bringing top rivals to the revered landmark lodgings that have dominated the city for well over a century. The grand old five-star dames of the Ringstrasse still stand supreme with their gilt mirrors, red velvet, and crystal-chandelier opulence. The service tends toward impeccable.

For those with more modest requirements and purses, ample rooms are available in less costly but no less alluring hotels. A number of new hotels have opened in this category as well, making for an array of affordable and enticing choices.

If you have only a short time to spend in Vienna, you'll probably choose to stay in the inner city (the 1st District, or 1010 postal code), to be within walking distance of the most important sights, restaurants, and shops. Outside the 1st District, though, there are many other delightful neighborhoods in which to rest your head. The "Biedermeier" quarter of Spittelberg, in the 7th District of Neubau, has cobblestone streets, rows of 19th-century houses, a wonderful array of art galleries and restaurants, and, increasingly, some good hotel options. Just to its east is the fabulous MuseumsQuartier, an area that has some very nice hotel finds. Schwedenplatz is the area fronted by the Danube Canal—a neighborhood that is one of the most happening in the city, although just a stroll from the centuries-old lanes around Fleischmarkt. Other sweet hotel options can be found in the 8th District of Josefstadt, an area noted for antiques shops, good local restaurants, bars, and theater.

Because of the Christmas markets, the weeks leading up to the holidays are a popular time to visit, as is the week around New Year's (Silvester), with its orchestral concerts. Summer months are not as busy, perhaps because the opera is not in season. You'll find good bargains at this time of year, especially in August. Vienna also hosts a number of conventions in April, May, and September, causing hotel prices to rise and vacancy rates to drop. Air-conditioning is customary in the top-category hotels only, so don’t be surprised if you have to do without. On the plus side, nights are generally cool.

In Vienna in particular, reservations are a necessity—rooms fill up quickly, so book as far in advance as possible. WienTourismus (www.wien.info/en/travel-info), the Viennese Tourist Board, lets you reserve accommodations in all categories online.

Apartment and House Rentals

For rental apartments in Vienna, check out www.apartment.at or www.netland.at/wien. Airbnb is legal and thriving in Austria www.airbnb.com.

Castles

The Castle in An Other Country (formerly known as Castle Hotels and Mansions) is an association of castles and palaces that have been converted into hotels. The quality of the accommodations varies with the property, but many have been beautifully restored and can be a memorable alternative to standard hotels. The website is in English www.experiencecharacter.com and has plenty of photos. The association also lists a smattering of castles in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, and Italy.

Costs