- The Imperial Riding School is located in Vienna’s Landstraße district, east of the city centre and close to the Belvedere palace
- Part of the Marriott’s Autograph Collection, it sees a refurbishment of a 19th-century military equestrian school by London-based interior design studio Goddard Littlefair
- Rooms at the Vienna Imperial Riding School start at approx. $275AUD (€168)
One of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world, Vienna’s appeal is in no small part due to its willingness to adapt—and thereby extend the life of—heritage buildings for contemporary use. The third district of Landstraße, east of the city centre, is best known for housing the baroque masterpiece that is the Belvedere palace and its sprawling grounds. Not far from the palace is the Imperial Riding School, which has undergone a transformative renovation which has given the 18th-century building a new lease on life as a character hotel.
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Part of Marriott International’s Autograph Collection, the Imperial Riding School building was born as a palace in 1727, before serving as a military equestrian school during Emperor Franz Joseph I’s reign. While it’s lived a couple of lives since—functioning as one of the city’s most prominent movie theatres, as well as a garage for postal buses—its debut as a hotel pays homage to its equine past.
The 342-room hotel has retained its heritage façade and vaulted arches, while a redesign by London-based interior design studio Goddard Littlefair injects a sense of playful bohemian grandeur into the space. Those vaulted arches appear throughout the public spaces, and when combined with hardwood floors and leather accents, irresistibly recall the site’s past as a stable. Light fixtures are crafted from metal, glass, and horsehair, and visually reference saddles. Public spaces are replete with seating areas, allowing guests to savour the design of the building while encouraging a sense of community and conviviality. Head to the landscaped gardens and orchard and you’ll find that the seating here has been arranged in a horseshoe formation.
More ‘horsey’ details sit alongside contemporary pieces, such as the sculptural curvilinear metalwork installation that adorns the ceiling of the bar. Meanwhile, the restaurant features mirror and metalwork designs on the walls that nod to the city’s artistic roots.
The aforementioned arches continue into the pool area, with the decidedly modern space featuring tiled arches that frame lounging nooks. Beneath the pool space, there’s a wellness area that houses two saunas, a steam room, a studio for yoga and meditation, and a treatment room for massages.
“Respecting the building’s illustrious past and heritage while navigating the constraints of a classical property was paramount in our approach,” said Goddard Littlefair cofounder Martin Goddard of the design. “By carefully preserving the architectural integrity and infusing it with contemporary elements, we’ve honoured the legacy of the Imperial Riding School, ensuring its continued relevance and splendour for generations to come.”
Rooms start at $275AUD (€168)and are bookable via the Imperial Riding School website.
Address: Ungargasse 60, Vienna, Austria
Words by Henry Blake
