Emperor's Guesthouse

Parkhotel Schönbrunn was built in fashionable Hietzing in 1907 at a time when Lehar's Merry Widow had been premiered in Vienna and Klimt was painting 'The Kiss' and on the site of the original Dommayer Casino, where Johann Strauss conducted his debut in 1844 (there is still a Dommayer coffee house nearby). Emperor Franz Josef contributed one million guilders to the struggling project on condition that it met his specifications and was available if required as 'the Emperor's Guesthouse' – if the 1400 rooms of adjoining Schönbrunn Palace were not enough! The elegant Biedermeier and Jugendstil villas of Hietzing include the home of Katharina Schratt, actress friend of the Emperor, who rose at 4am and was often guest for breakfast at Katharina's house. His wife Elisabeth, known as Sisi, was frustrated by formal court life and spent much time abroad in Corfu and Madeira – especially after the tragedy of Mayerling when their son Rudolf committed suicide. It is even said she encouraged the Emperor's liaison.

An Evening in Schönbrunn

Gather at Schönbrunn Palace in the early evening for a tour of the State Apartments. After dinner at the restaurant in the main courtyard, the evening naturally culminates with a concert performance of light Viennese music, song and dance in the Schönbrunn Orangery. Category A seats and a glass of bubbly are provided!

Advent In Vienna
From mid-November until Christmas Eve Schönbrunn comes alive with its Advent Market, an exhibition of Christmas decorations, an old bakery, festive music and stalls selling Gluhwein and delicacies. The main Advent market is at the Town Hall (Rathaus) whilst Spittelberg and Freyung also have Christmas markets with their own special character and charm.