Old-School Glam Meets Modern Cool at Grand Hôtel Wiesler, Graz
A riverfront legend reborn as a playful, creative retreat
A Grand Hotel, Reinvented
Perched on the banks of the River Mur, Grand Hôtel Wiesler has been part of Graz’s story since 1909. Once the city’s most glamorous address, it welcomed generations of dignitaries and dreamers before reinventing itself for a new century. Today, it keeps the charm and stature of its “grand” heritage but trades stiff etiquette for eclectic cool. The result? A hotel that feels both timeless and disarmingly fresh—a stage where vintage elegance meets modern creativity.
Rooms with Personality (and Then Some)
Forget cookie-cutter layouts. Each of the 102 rooms is a small world of its own, designed to surprise as much as soothe. Freestanding bathtubs invite long soaks, while hand-painted Talavera sinks imported from Mexico add vibrant bursts of color. Quirky touches—retro typewriters, vintage radios, even guitars begging to be strummed—inject personality and playfulness. It’s boutique individuality on a grand scale, layered with local art and unexpected textures. Local artist Clemens Hollerer contributes installations that push the aesthetic further, ensuring the hotel feels more like a creative salon than a static design exercise. Whether you’re in a pared-back loft-style room or a richly detailed suite, the vibe is one of lived-in artistry, equal parts comfort and curiosity.
Salon Marie: Glamour with a Global Twist
At the heart of the hotel beats Salon Marie, a restaurant and bar that captures Graz’s international spirit. Menus balance Austrian classics with global influences: schnitzel might share the table with ceviche, while strudel is reimagined beside bold seasonal plates. Cocktails lean toward the inventive, matching the décor—velvet banquettes, gleaming brass, and a touch of retro glamour. The energy shifts seamlessly from daytime café buzz to late-night sophistication, drawing in locals as easily as guests.
A Location That Marries Past and Future
Step outside and you’re in the cultural flow of Graz. The UNESCO-listed old town is minutes away, its narrow streets lined with baroque facades, while directly across the river the futuristic Kunsthaus—nicknamed the “Friendly Alien”—anchors the city’s reputation for design and innovation. Grand Hôtel Wiesler sits at this crossroads, perfectly placed for travelers who want to oscillate between history and modernity without missing a beat.
Design as Dialogue
Everywhere you look, the hotel sparks conversation between eras. Marble staircases and ornate details whisper of its glamorous past, while stripped-back walls, raw materials, and contemporary art keep the mood grounded in the now. This tension—between nostalgia and reinvention, tradition and creativity—is the essence of Grand Hôtel Wiesler. It’s less about polished perfection than about cultivating character.
DNA Hotels Verdict
Grand Hôtel Wiesler is Graz’s coolest contradiction: a grand hotel that doesn’t take itself too seriously. By pairing vintage grandeur with playful, creative energy, it has become more than a place to stay—it’s a mood, a cultural statement, and a love letter to the city itself. For travelers who crave history with an edge and luxury with soul, Wiesler is Graz distilled.
