“The torte was invented first and the hotel followed in 1876, famously run for many years by Anna Maria Sacher (it was she, beloved of cigars and little dogs, who instituted the wonderful collection of guests’ photographs on display) until a second family, Gürtler, still in charge, took over. It’s private status, and rich sense of the past shine out, sensitively mixed with modern luxury, including a spa (signature hot chocolate treatment) and two top floors of more contemporary rooms. Superb service, excellent food, shedloads of character, and that Sacher-Torte. A gem, worth the money.”
