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by Manos Angelakis.
Hotel Sacher
Philharmonikerstrasse 4
A-1010 Vienna, Austria
Tel: (43-1)514560
 The first time I saw Vienna was in 1957 when my father, a devotee of Sigmund Freud and Gustav Mahler, took the whole family for a visit there to, as he put it, “broaden the cultural horizons of the children”. I had just seen The “Third Man” and the images of war-torn occupied Vienna presented in the film were fresh on my mind, though by ‘57 the city was well on it’s way to its former splendor. We stayed at the Sacher, an establishment of grace and refinement, to be close to the Staatsoper (State Opera) where we spent at least 3 evenings listening to buxom Wagnerian divas belt out long-winded arias -- it was much later in life that I developed a real appreciation of opera as an art form.
We spent the days visiting the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the palaces, the “Riesenrad” -- the Giant Ferris Wheel of the Prater -- and the Lipizzaner Horses. And, late in the afternoon we would stop at a Viennese Kaffeehaus and order Kaffee mit Schlag and Palatschinken, Strudel or one of those Torte that made Viennese pastry famous. If we were close to the hotel we would rush to Café Sacher for -- what else -- Sachertort mit Schlag. Shlagobers, the Austrian version of whipped cream, is double rich, barely sweetened and piped in or on numerous culinary creations of the Austrian kitchen. To most it is the ubiquitous and essential accompaniment of sweets, fruit tarts and coffee. I think “mit Schlag” could be the ending of the answer to any culinary question posed in Vienna.
The privately owned and run Hotel Sacher Wien has stood in the heart of the city as the favorite institution of the international high society.
When Eduard Sacher (son of the inventor of the Sachertorte) opened his hotel in 1876, he had no idea of the fame it would eventually acquire as the original hotel became the meeting place of Austrian nobility, performers and business tycoons. Recently renovated, the Sacher offers all modern facilities in a very traditional ambiance. The opulent guest rooms feature silk wall coverings, valuable carpets, authentic baroque furniture as well as the most contemporary amenities. In February 2002, just in time for the Opera Ball, the Hotel Sacher added nine totally renovated suites and junior suites. Precious original paintings from the hotel own collection were installed and magnificent antique chandeliers were bought at auctions especially for these suites.
 The main restaurant Anna Sacher, a backdrop of old world elegance and opulence, offers typical Viennese charm with an extremely high standard for both International and Austrian dishes. The elegant Rote Bar (Red Bar) is actually one of Vienna's best restaurants with fare like grilled foie gras and lobster. After an evening at the Opera, the Red Bar, with candlelight and music, is a meeting place not only for performers and conductors but also for an audience that likes to round off the evening with traditional Austrian cuisine. The intimate Blue Bar is a charming room in which one can relax and unwind. And, of course, the world famous Kaffeehaus is the traditional home of the original Sachertorte, still served to aficionados.
The Sacher is one of the luxury European hotels that are now offering non-smoking rooms to the American market. The concierge is able to get Opera and theater tickets and the limousine service will whisk you to and from the airport or take you to any area of the city you might wish.
© June/July 2003. All rights reserved.
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