The Best Hotels in Vienna for Old World Glamour and Avant-Garde Design

"Best for: the glamour of old Vienna Address: Am Hof 2, 1010 Vienna, Austria Nearby: Am Hof, one of most famous squares in Vienna Price: Doubles from $696 In a city where almost everything seems like a monument, the Park Hyatt, grand and magnificent, fits right in. That is not to say the smart hotel, flanked by churches and palaces on Vienna's central Am Hof square, does not stand out. If anything, its columned façade, where men in top hats are at the ready to open the doors, carry bags in, or wish guests a good day, is the most eye-catching on this regal street. Inside is equally as magnificent. Rooms are fine—large and clean, although the color scheme feels a little dated. But the public spaces are what makes us want to book this hotel for every trip. Off the entrance, a humidor and cigar bar channel Vienna's old-world glamour with its wood paneling, Scotch-heavy drinks trolley, and comfortable club chairs. The hotel bar is one of the hottest we have seen in years, with a back-lit liquor display that climbs higher than the potted trees that dot the space. But heads up for guests: Having a room does not guarantee a seat. This place is so popular with Vienna's sharply dressed business set that pretty much every banquette is booked out on a Friday or Saturday night, though the bar staff will do anything they can to accommodate as much as possible. The Martinis made with Austrian Hidden Gem gin are so good you won't mind standing. Definitely order the Parmesan fries and aubergine flatbread. The serenely beautiful underground pool, with Roman-style carvings and underwater classical music, is the perfect place to work it all off in the morning. —Erin Florio"