The Palais Coburg hotel in Vienna becomes a 36-suite private guesthouse above 60,000 bottles

On the edge of Vienna’s historic centre, the Palais Coburg reopened its suites on 3 August 2026, after a complete renovation that began in January 2025. It no longer runs as a conventional hotel but as a private guesthouse of 36 suites, where every service is booked in advance. Everything that built its reputation is still there: Silvio Nickol’s two-star restaurant and a cellar of more than 60,000 bottles.

☰Contents

1. The “asparagus castle”, built in 1845
2. Since 3 August 2026, everything is by booking
3. 36 suites named after the princes of Coburg
4. Where to dine? Silvio Nickol and the state rooms
5. Six cellars and 60,000 bottles beneath the palace
6. A third-floor spa with views over Vienna

The “asparagus castle”, built in 1845

The palace was built between 1840 and 1845 for Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg, to plans by Karl Schleps. It stands on the Braunbastei, a bastion of the old fortifications, which saved the Renaissance casemates, vaulted chambers dug into the ramparts. The Viennese nickname it “Spargelburg”, the asparagus castle, because of its row of columns.

The private foundation POK Pühringer, part of the Pühringer Foundation Group, has owned it since 1997; the hotel opened in 2003 and is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. Jochen Manninger is its general manager. Another of the city’s historic addresses, the Hotel Sacher Wien, served as a set for the TV series Kommissar Rex.

Since 3 August 2026, everything is by booking

Hotel operations were suspended in January 2025 for a complete renovation; during the works, the restaurants, event rooms and cellars stayed open. Hotel guests returned on 3 August 2026, first to the suites and the spa, with the state rooms following a little later. The real change lies in its status as a “private guesthouse”: no one walks through the door without a booking, whether for a night, a dinner or a cellar tour. Vienna keeps moving elsewhere too, with Austria’s first Pullman announced for 2028.

36 suites named after the princes of Coburg

All 36 suites are individually designed, including one accessible to guests with reduced mobility. Each bears the name of a member of the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and comes in one of three styles, Royal, Classic or Modern. Some look out onto the spire of St Stephen’s Cathedral.

The Gallery Suites, which open the price list, are duplexes with a staircase and a mezzanine; the Multi-Bedroom Suites have two bedrooms, for a family or friends. The Signature Suites were completely redesigned during the renovation.

Where to dine? Silvio Nickol and the state rooms

Silvio Nickol has run the gourmet restaurant that bears his name since 2011. It holds two Michelin stars and five toques from Gault&Millau; it serves dinner, Tuesday to Saturday. For another Austrian starred table, this time in the mountains, see the Die Hochkönigin hotel in Maria Alm.

Since 7 September 2026, a new restaurant has occupied the Prunkräume, the palace’s state rooms, with chef Lewis Emerson. It replaces Clementine, which was in the glasshouse (the Glashaus). Brunch, afternoon tea, dinner and a bar are offered every day, beneath the chandeliers of the yellow salon and the hall of mirrors.

Six cellars and 60,000 bottles beneath the palace

The wine archive holds more than 60,000 bottles and more than 5,000 labels, spanning four centuries of vintages. They are spread across six historic cellars set within the old fortifications beneath the palace. Sommelier Wolfgang Kneidinger has looked after them since 2012; the cellars can be discovered on tours and tastings, by reservation like everything else.

A third-floor spa with views over Vienna

The spa occupies the third floor. The indoor pool measures 9 metres by 4, heated to 27°C, with a counter-current swim system; around it are a Finnish sauna, a hammam, a cold plunge pool, a winter garden and a sun terrace facing the city and the Stadtpark, the large municipal park. The gym, yoga room and treatment rooms are on the lower level, with direct access to the garden.

The Viennese can also enjoy it without staying the night: the “Cercle Privé” membership costs €850 a month, or €800 with a six-month commitment.