Behind the queues at the bakery, this Vienna boutique hotel is perfection

The hotel

Hotel Motto Vienna

Check-in

Can you resist the Motto Brot Bakery downstairs?

Checking into a hotel usually doesn’t involve navigating through a bakery pilgrimage, but then again, Hotel Motto Vienna is no ordinary hotel. To find the reception, I first have to sidestep a line of people camping outside Motto Brot, on a quest for what I later discover are some of Vienna’s best croissants. But do they have any idea of the hotel behind the bakery? It’s a fever dream of 1920s Parisian decadence: bubblegum pink walls, floral patterns galore, tasselled lamps, and a wink of irreverence. It’s Gatsby-meets-Wes-Anderson, and I can’t stop picturing Zelda Fitzgerald swanning in with a cigarette holder and a devil-may-care attitude. Check-in comes with a gin and tonic. Because, naturally, this place does extra exceptionally well.

The look

Even the lifts have been brushed with a whimsy that works.

Hotel Motto feels like a love letter to 1920s Vienna and Paris, written with a wink and a splash of modern flair. Floral fabrics, artsy mirrors and fabric-covered walls somehow dodge the “gaudy” label, leaning firmly into eclectic elegance. Designed by Arkan Zeytinoglu Architects, custom rugs, tiles, and lamps frame original vintage pieces, including items salvaged from the Hotel Ritz in Paris – because why settle for ordinary when you can have one of a kind? Italian artist Andrea Ferolla’s feminine silhouettes dance across the walls, while Victoria Barmak’s bold photography adds a vibrant, inclusive pulse. It’s glam and it’s cheeky and the hotel knows it. Then there’s the vintage staircase, a showpiece you’ll want to snap for posterity.

The room

The Deluxe room has a Parisian feel.

The rooms bring drama and charm in equal measure. Keep it simple with the “petit” option – just four walls and a bed – or splurge on a deluxe for added space and a playful two-way mirror shower-sink duo within arm’s reach of the bed. The toilet? Hidden away like a well-kept secret – or a coat closet. (Pro tip: don’t mix those up.) Space to unpack is scarce, yet there’s room for a velvet sofa and chair that are charmingly mismatched.

Nuanced details – brass taps, fringed lampshades, upholstered walls – feel plucked from a dream Parisian apartment in the third arrondissement. On the sixth floor, balconies and terraces overlook the buzz below and even the standard rooms come with swing-open windows for a breath of Vienna.

Out + About

Vienna’s Hotel Motto.

Located in the cool 6th district, it’s a 10-minute walk to the MuseumsQuartier Vienna or Spittelberg’s cobblestone lanes. Nearby, the U3 line will have you in the city centre in minutes, but honestly, you’ll probably get distracted by the shopping strip right outside and the hidden cafes and boutiques down the side streets. It’s where Vienna’s traditional elegance meets a healthy dose of youthful spirit – perfect for a bit of everything.

Food + Drink

The top-floor Chez Bernard affords views of Vienna’s famed rooftops.

On the top floor, Chez Bernard sits in a glass dome, with views of Vienna’s famed rooftops. Inside, it’s like stepping into a greenhouse. Lush plants hang overhead, framing the bar and the leather seating. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner, the menu leans French, serving up classics like steak tartare and coq au vin rouge. Don’t skip the croque monsieur for breakfast: it’s a winner. In warmer weather, the rooftop terrace is the place to be. Downstairs, Motto Brot is a must-visit for a sourdough croissant, just make sure to grab a strong coffee to go with it. And expect a line, even if you’re a hotel guest.

The verdict

This is boutique hotel perfection. It’s where Vienna meets Paris in the best possible way, mixing the city’s rich history with a healthy dose of French glamour and a whole lot of fun.

The essentials

From $264 a night. Mariahilfer Straße 71A, Schadekgasse 20, 1060 Wien, Austria. Phone: [phone]. See hotelmotto.at

Our score out of five

★★★★½

Highlight

Swoon-worthy decor, fresh-baked croissants and the location seal the deal.

Lowlight

There is minimal space in rooms for big luggage, and breakfast is not included in the room rate. Though, am I asking for too much?

The writer stayed as a guest of Hotel Motto.