Hotel Stefanie - Vienna's oldest hotel

A particular hallmark of the elegant Hotel Stefanie is its history, dating back more than 400 years. The first recorded mention of a 'Gastgeb' (innkeeper) at this historical site, on which Vienna's oldest hotel is still located today, dates back to 8 July 1600. Today, the venerable hotel is owned by the Schick family, who work together with their dedicated team to lovingly preserve the historical atmosphere of the building.

The Weisse Rose Inn – later renamed Hotel Stefanie and now Vienna's oldest hotel – soon earned a reputation for being one of the finest inns in the imperial capital Vienna. It was mentioned in many documents, such as the 1779 "Register of the public and most renowned inns and tavern, where lodging is possible with or without carriages".

Taborstrasse has always been the main access road to the centre of the imperial city of Vienna from the north-eastern parts of the Empire. The bridge, which leads directly into Taborstrasse, was for centuries the only one that connected downtown Vienna with the Unterer Werd (today's Leopoldstadt - Vienna's second district). For this reason, a considerable number of lodging establishments settled here, just outside the city gates, among them, Vienna's oldest hotel – the Hotel Stefanie.

Located on the banks of the Danube river, which had not yet been diverted out of the city centre at that time, it was here where travellers found accommodation and a good meal while changing their horses or having the wheels of their coaches repaired by the local wainwright. Travelling merchants, public servants on an imperial mission, illicit lovers on the run and, more than likely, some shady characters frequented Vienna's oldest hotel.

The Hotel Stefanie through the ages

Of the roughly 35 inns that existed in Vienna in the mid-19th century, the Hotel Stefanie is the only one to have been mentioned continuously in the building registers for a period of 400 years. The guests of the 'Weisse Rose', as it was known in those days, travelled primarily from the Crown lands of the Habsburg monarchy. Records show that when the Reichstag (Imperial Diet) convened in 1848, two deputies resided at the Weisse Rose. A flourishing business and favourable historical circumstance permitted the inn to expand over time:

• 1829: Expansion of the 'Weisse Rose'
• 1833: The inn offers stabling for 90 horses
• 1848: Quarter for deputies of the Austrian Empire
• Since 1858: The dismantling of Vienna's city walls (1858-1864) and the construction of the railway led to a substantial increase in the number of guests

In those days, the names of all newly arrived guests were published in the 'Fremden-Blatt', a supplement to the daily newspaper. We were able to unearth a copy dated 15 October 1847 for you (see photo). Among the guests: a brewery owner, a manufacturer, a merchant, a wine trader, and many more.

More quietly than initially planned, our Hotel Stefanie celebrated another milestone birthday. But many guests remembered us and sent us their best wishes from around the globe. Our heartfelt thanks for your messages. We also received congratulations from the Vienna Tourist Board. Here is the letter from Managing Director Norbert Kettner.

The grandfather of the current director of the company, Dr Martin Schick, had a passion for rare antique pieces. This passion forms part of the legacy of the hotel. Hence, the Hotel Stefanie is decorated with numerous precious antiques such as fine porcelain and historical clocks.

Would you like to learn more about the history of the Hotel Stefanie, Vienna's oldest hotel? A book on the origins and development of the hotel is on sale at the reception of the hotel. It provides 88 pages of fascinating details about the history of the hotel – from the building itself, to its surroundings and the current owners, the Schick family. Embark on a journey back in time through four centuries with this treasure, which has been professionally researched and meticulously recorded by a historian.
Here the first pages of the book to read.

In 2017, at the TAI Advertising Grand Prix, we received a special prize for our history, awarded by the jury of specialists 'for compiling a caring and detailed documentation of the hotel's history'.