This whimsical boutique hotel is set within a historic 1800s Gründerzeit‑style townhouse and beautifully captures the timeless elegance of the Art Deco era of the 1920s and 30s. Tucked along a quiet side street just off Mariahilfer Straße (Vienna’s main shopping boulevard) stepping over the threshold feels like you have been transported back into the city’s romantic past.

With its sweeping grand staircases, sparkling crystal chandeliers, plush velvet furnishings, and monochrome tiled floors, the hotel blends glamour and historic charm, creating an atmosphere that truly feels one‑of‑a‑kind.

The hotel takes its name from its fictional muse, ‘Josefine de Bourblanc’, a young aristocrat who fled the Russian Revolution and became a beloved hostess here. Known for her artistic flair, she is said to have transformed the townhouse into a surrealist haven, a place of poetry recitals, artist soirées, and jazz constantly playing from the Phonotheque infusing a sense of magic that can still be felt today.

That enchantment continues throughout the hotel’s interior design, which blends traditional architecture with Art Deco flourishes and contemporary amenities. Each of the 49 individually designed rooms has its own personality, featuring cane‑woven headboards inspired by Viennese craft traditions, box‑spring beds, retro telephones, surrealist artwork, and playful details that accentuate the hotel’s dreamlike aesthetic.

The room types are divided into seven different categories and range from a cosy single all the way to a duplex suite with a private roof terrace and striking views of Vienna’s skyline. I stayed in the Josefine Idéale which I loved, but if your budget allows, the Bel Étage Suite with its exquisite stained‑glass windows would be my top choice.

On arrival, you are welcomed with a handwritten note and a complimentary bottle of red or white wine, a thoughtful gesture that sets the tone for your stay. It was a lovely touch that the breakfast even embodied the theatrical world of ‘Josefine’, served in a 1920s‑inspired salon where the experience feels more like afternoon tea than a typical hotel breakfast. Tiered trays filled with Viennese classics and continental favourites make for a perfectly decadent start to the day.

In the evening, wander to the Phonotheque to browse hundreds of classical records, or settle into the hotel’s Barfly’s Club, where craft cocktails are served in a dimly lit, velvet‑draped setting that evokes the spirit of the Weimar era.

The hotel’s commitment to excellence, from its unique design to its warm, attentive service has earned it international acclaim, culminating in the prestigious Michelin Key. Their motto, “Come in, switch off and forget the outside world” sets the perfect tone for being swept into a bygone age of glitz and old‑world glamour.

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