The Hoxton Vienna offers a playful take on Austrian mid-century design

Photography: Julius Hirtzberger

Welcoming travellers from far and wide with a bright, double-height lobby and a palette of vibrant upholstery, The Hoxton unveiled its brand-new Vienna location on 1 April 2024. 196 inviting bedrooms are joined by two destination bars, an in-house restaurant and the hotel brand’s grandest event space to date: a 143 sqm auditorium inspired by classic 1950s cinema culture. Spearheading the interiors, AIME Studios – the creative studio of lifestyle and hospitality collective Ennismore – were inspired by Carl Appel’s mid-century aesthetic and the iconic Wiener Werkstätte movement, drawing from the heritage of the Appel-designed building when creating its initial design concept.

The original terrazzo flooring and travertine-clad walls therefore take centre stage in the lobby, with a backlit staircase adding a touch of drama to a space that formerly housed the Austrian Chamber of Commerce. Vintage furnishings were sourced locally for the bedrooms and public spaces throughout the hotel, while the walls bear a collection of artwork curated by Sterling Art, such as the large, bespoke abstract piece by Austrian artist, Rini Spiel, that demands attention in the lobby.

Just off the lobby is The Hoxton Vienna’s all-day bistro, Bouvier – described as New York meets European cuisine, the restaurant features distinctive checkerboard flooring with deep red wall panelling and retro ad posters for an added touch of nostalgia, while just outside is a 70-cover terrace with fringed parasols, tiled table-tops and lush greenery for al-fresco dining. Perched on the roof of the building is Cayo Coco, a Cuban-inspired terrace bar boasting unbeatable views of surrounding Vienna and the Austrian Alps. Here guests can enjoy a menu of rum cocktails and barbecue small plates while lounging by the open-air pool, with bespoke rattan furniture, blue ceramic tiles and bold artwork striving to capture the essence of tropical Havana.

Meanwhile, those who head downstairs and into the belly of the building will be rewarded with a sultry basement cocktail bar: dubbed Salon Paradise, this speakeasy-inspired haunt draws from the free-spirited aesthetic of the 1950s Beat Generation. In this cosy, low-ceilinged room, aged leather banquette seating surrounds a vintage 1920s Hoffmann Konzertklavier piano, while the walls receive a personal touch from hand-written postcards dating as far back as the Prohibition era. Led by Ennismore’s food and beverage concept lab, Carte Blanched, the team worked alongside prominent hospitality figure Rory Shepherd (of Paris’ Little Red Door) to create Salon Paradise’s coveted drinks list, including hero drinks like Poet’s Dream No. 2 and the Big Slim.

The Auditorium features tiered balcony seating, striped walls and electric blue, heavy velvet curtains, all inspired by nostalgic cinema culture, as well as two bars and a dedicated street entrance to help The Hoxton establish another iconic city destination for music, entertainment or even weddings. Also open to the public and guests alike is another Hoxton staple, The Apartment: a hybrid event space comprised of three private rooms (the Den, the Conservatory and the Library) that can be hired either separately or collectively, catering to everything from business presentations to parties, press days and private dinners. Even four-legged friends are accommodated for in style, with dog beds and bowls supplied by sustainable and design-led pet brand PINTU DESIGN.