The InterContinental Vienna was the first hotel by an international hotel group to be established in the Austrian capital as well as the largest in the entire country. Built between 1961 and 1964, the InterConti opened its doors on March 6, 1964.
Located in the city center opposite the City Park (Stadtpark), the InterContinental Vienna was designed in a strictly functionalist style as a building of its time by Carl Appel (1911-1997) and Walter Jaksch (1912-1998). At the beginning, the hotel was considered too American, although both architect were Austrian. The façade may look dirty at first sight, but its just the effect of the pressed sand used in a technique considered innovative in 1964.
The building façade may not be the prettiest in the city, but the lobby and its bar have rightly become a favorite of the Viennese a long time ago. The lobby-bar area was last refreshed in 2011; the design style goes back to the 2000-renovation by the French interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon. In 2008 and 2009, the British designers of Y2k, renovated all twelve floors, the club lounge and the presidential suite.
A hotel is a work in progress. All the elegant rooms of the leisure, business and congress hotel have last been renovated by June 2009. The main ballroom has a capacity for up to 800 people. When I last stayed at the InterConti in 2011, a famous French designer had organized a huge fashion event.
The view from the top floors is excellent. In 2011, I stayed in the Junior Suite 1135 on the eleventh floor with a perfect view of the City Garden (Stadtgarten). With my nose close to the two windows, I even enjoyed an excellent view of the Stephansdom. The Junior Suite 1135 is one of the great deals in the hotel and offers a nice bathroom with a separate bath and shower. I particularly liked the We Live Like This amenities. All rooms and suites are equipped with a coffee and tea making facility. The only odd thing about the rooms at the InterContinental Vienna are the unusually low ceilings. As long as you are not a two-meter man, you will be fine.
Part of the welcome package upon my arrival in 2011 was a bottle of a 2008 Zweigelt by the Austrian winemaker Martin Pasler. A bottle of wine or champagne is a must in a hotel of a certain standing and especially in a high room or suite category. At the InterConti Vienna, they know the basics!
For a great view, consider the Executive Suites in the corners of the 9th, 10th and 11th floor, which enjoy a direct view of the Stadtpark to one side and to the Stephansdom to the other. The Studio Suite 1150 offers daylight in the bathroom. The Executive Suite 1102 has a view to the Karlskirche and to the ice skating rink between the InterConti and the Konzerthaus, where they organize for instance a notable contemporary music festival called WienModern. Vienna is more than Mozart and Johann Strauss!
As maybe the best bargain in the hotel, consider the Deluxe Room 601, situated in a corner with a nice view of the Stadtpark. Since 601 is on the 6th floor, you do not have automatic access to the Club lounge on the 12th floor; the lounge is nice, offers great views and express check-in and check-out, but is not an absolute must.
The Stadtpark just on the other side of the street is ideal for jogging. On the left in the Stadtpark is the Kursalon Hübner, where they organize classical music concerts in the evenings. To the right of the Stadtpark, just five minutes from the hotel, is Austria’s Mint (Die Münze Österreichs), which offers exhibitions about coins and paper money, the making of money and its history.
The Intercontinental with its 458 rooms and suites and 300 employees from 27 countries offers advantages of a huge hotel, including a 350 square-meter gym and spa as well as large breakfast. In addition, large hotels offer anonymity. If you prefer a more intimate setting, visit the club lounge on the 12th floor or the bar on the ground floor.
The Intermezzo Bar, opened in 1964, was the first American Bar in Vienna. I remember live piano music and a singer on Saturday evening. The hall with the Café Vienna and the Intermezzo Bar area are the liveliest public areas of the hotel and my favorite part of the InterContinental Vienna. Just don’t go for the “House Sekt” which, in 2011, was nothing to write home about. Luckily, the bar offers a great choice of other beverages, including some 200 whiskeys from Scotland, Ireland, the US and Canada. If you have deep pockets, ask for one of the bar’s rarities.
Art lovers should have a look at the large scale Brussels tapestry by Judocus de Vos from around 1700 in the lobby. It shows the engagement of Myrtillus and Amaryllis at the altar of Diana from Il Pastor Fido. It is adorned with the coat of arms of Dominique André von Kaunitz.
Last but not least, the InterContinental Vienna takes the sustainability challenge seriously. All departments from the back office to housekeeping are involved in waste prevention, energy savings and water conservation which, incidentally, is also good for business. For its ecological efforts, the InterContinental Vienna has received the ECOPRFIT certification, which recognizes sustainable business practices in Austrian companies.
View of the 350 square-meter gym and spa. Photos © Hotel InterContinental Vienna. – Books about Vienna from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.de.
The hotel seen from the Stadtpark. Photos © Hotel InterContinental Vienna. – Books about Vienna from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.de.
The Lobby was refreshed in 2011. The style goes back to the 2000-renovation by the French interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon. Photos © Hotel InterContinental Vienna. Books about Vienna from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.de.
The Bar. Photos © Hotel InterContinental Vienna.
Hotel review / History added on February 19, 2012
