History is in Residence

The Rosewood Vienna is the newest jewel in a city that prides itself on many greats

- RASHMI UDAY SINGH

There’s an incredible feeling of having struck gold here. And it’s not just because we are in the historic “goldenes” district of the “city of music” (Mozart and Beethoven called it their home) and the “city of dreams” (Freud lived and worked here). It’s because we are atop Vienna’s latest and already iconic landmark, where Mozart lived, which was later converted into a bank and now the Hotel Rosewood, which in itself is the gold standard. It is the very first luxury hotel opening after a hiatus of ten years and, of course, Rosewood Vienna has been making waves ever since it opened less than a year ago.

Lovingly nudged within air-kissing distance of the copper-green dome of the oldest church in Vienna, surrounded by historical buildings, RW Vienna makes time stand still. The clip-clop of horse-drawn carriages passing by, like they did for centuries further accentuates that nudge of nostalgia. Like everything else about this latest Rosewood hotel, it reconciles contradictions seamlessly with panache. Tucked between modern high-end luxury stores and centuries-old churches. You can worship at the altar of the stunningly ornate St Peters church across the street. Or you can walk, skip and jump to the glittering high-end, over-the-top expensive fashion stores. The choice is yours. Do both. Or do as I did, spend the evening being wafted back to Mozart’s world on the wings of his symphonies resounding in St Peter’s church across the street. I blissed out and went to heaven only to return to tell this story.

Past Perfect