As the world capital of music, Vienna has over the years been an important stop on many concert tours. International stars such as John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Lionel Richie, as well as Giacomo Puccini stayed at Vienna’s magnificent hotels. With that many celebrities visiting, interesting and noteworthy events become part of the history of Vienna’s hotels.
Perhaps the best-known anecdote from one of Vienna’s top hotels happened in 1969. The protagonists were John Lennon and Yoko Ono. During their one-night stay in Vienna for the premiere of the movie „Rape,” they created quite a stir with their spontaneous decision to hold a press conference from under a bedsheet in the Red Salon of the Hotel Sacher. Journalists were visibly confused and did not quite know how to deal with the situation. John and Yoko, who were back then the most famous couple in the world, knew that only inner beauty counts. If you don’t see what someone looks like, their appearance can’t be judged. The furore over „Bagism“ quickly spread around the world and the Hotel Sacher received international attention. Even though the couple only spent 24 hours in Vienna, there seems to have been enough time for another mystery. On Schubert's grave at the Vienna Central Cemetery, they left a shoelace behind. John and Yoko travelled on, and all of Vienna was left wondering as to the meaning of it all. Their adventures in Vienna are also immortalized in the lyrics of the Beatles-Hit „The Ballad of John and Yoko.”
The Hotel Sacher is not the only Viennese hotel to have housed stars from all over the world. The Hotel Bristol, for example, also has a few interesting stories to tell. With its proximity to the Vienna State Opera, it has often attracted great artists such as the composer Giacomo Puccini or the Australian opera singer Nellie Melba.
Lionel Richie, known for hit songs such as „All Night Long,” stopped here on his tour through Europe. Even as a hotel employee, you don’t meet such a famous personality every day, and so the entire staff was really looking forward to welcoming him to the hotel. A young receptionist was tasked with handling the VIP key for the elevator and leading the star directly to his room. However, she inserted the key before the star had a chance to get on the elevator, and the doors closed on her without the celebrity guest. After what seemed an eternity, the elevator doors opened again and the receptionist was back. Lionel Richie took it in stride and serenaded her with: „Hello, is it me you’re looking for?“
Queen Elizabeth’s uncle, Edward Windsor – former Prince of Wales and for a brief time British monarch - stayed at the Hotel Bristol several times. In his honour, the largest suite of this posh hotel was named „Prince of Wales Suite.” In 1935, he visited Vienna as a prince, while in 1936 he arrived as King Edward VIII, together with his mistress Wallis Simpson, who was not accepted by the royal family. It is said that it was here, in this romantic setting, that Edward made the decision to abdicate and to forge a new path together with his great love.
No matter whether you arrive in Vienna for a concert, a romantic getaway or just because Vienna’s hotels inspire and have housed many international stars who always liked coming back to Vienna. Let’s use the opportunity to walk in their footsteps - in Vienna.
Looking for a charming family-run hotel, a luxury spa resort, or a cosy private apartment? Here is our curated list featuring great hotels in Austria's cities and on the countryside.
