Hotel MOTTO is a boutique art and design hotel in the heart of Vienna, in the urban scene of the city’s 6th district, that combines the Parisian flair of the 1920s with modern Viennese lifestyle and Scandinavian comfort. Owned by renowned Austrian entrepreneur and restaurateur Bernd Schlacher, the hotel is situated on the famous Mariahilfer Straße. It comprises 85 rooms and 6 suites, and is also home to a chic restaurant & bar, summer rooftop bar, its own organic bakery, a fitness and spa area and a private event space. 

Design & Architectural History

The aesthetic of the interiors, designed by the renowned Arkan Zeytinoglu Architects is Vienna meets Paris – an eclectic mix of avant garde and punk rock. Fabric covered walls and rugs, furniture, tiles and lamps are reimagined from original vintage furniture, some of which is from the Hotel Ritz in Paris.

Hotel MOTTO’s lobby is a flashback to the opulent 1920s, where serving carts and golden lamps accent the interiors, alongside floral fabric on the walls, artsy mirrors and playful chandeliers. 

The historic building has housed hotels for over three centuries since 1665 and was the birth home of Josef Strauss, son of the famous composer Johann Strauss, who called the hotel home in 1827. The architecture is infused with Renaissance and Baroque nods layered with elements of the gothic and byzantine styles: towers and domes as well as the configuration of the façade, originally constructed by the top artisans of the Vienna Artisan Craft movement, are fully preserved and play a pivotal role in the layout of the property.

Restaurants & public spaces 

The hotel is home to CHEZ BERNARD, a restaurant and bar on the 7th floor with an 8th floor rooftop restaurant and bar, as well as its own organic bakery MOTTO BROT. 

CHEZ BERNARD can be found underneath a striking glass dome, flooded by light and decorated with lush greenery. The cuisine is modern Austrian fare with French and Mediterranean influences. Fresh preparation and organic ingredients take centre stage alongside unparalleled, familial service. 

The bar is an all-day meeting space and features sweeping views from its terrace. The coffee served is a special roast crafted for the hotel, and owner Bernd Schlacher, who has been honored multiple times for his sustainability concepts, makes his own beer, ‘Brewdi’ from old bread that is leftover from the bakery. By night, prominent DJs from Vienna provide the soundtrack in the rhythm of this vibrant metropolis.

The on-site bakery MOTTO BROT on the ground floor of the hotel draws you in with its delicious aromas. Artful wood panels, gold and high ceilings shape the atmosphere of this chic, authentic bakery that would be right at home on the streets of Paris with fresh croissants, sourdough breads, fine patisseries made from local organic ingredients and strong coffee.

Fitness & Spa

Hotel MOTTO’s fitness and wellness area spans 65 m² and features a rain shower, relaxation room with high-spring water, unisex sauna, and a small steam bath. The fitness suite features everything from a WaterRower, to bicycle, treadmill, weight bench, and free weights, to yoga mats. Boxing lessons can be booked in advance in the neighborhood, and the hotel works alongside an adjacent pilates and yoga studio to offer guests classes.

Art at Hotel MOTTO

Art can be found right throughout Hotel MOTTO. Modernism, different perspectives and a new approach to look at art – the paintings, photographs and illustrations convey the uniqueness, the sentiment and the atmosphere of this place, its history and its value.

Renowned fashion illustrator Andrea Ferolla’s distinctive silhouettes can be seen across the walls of the hotel, while the powerful photography of Mexican artist Victoria Barmak makes space for the LGBTQI+ community.

Sasha Knezevic – the artist SASA – worked his magic in eight rooms and created bold quotes on mirrored walls in a graffiti style – edgy, funny, exciting and inspiring, each is simply wonderful.