The hotel group Leonardo Hotels Central Europe has introduced its new Leonardo Smart brand with the opening of the Leonardo Smart Vienna Airport at Vienna Airport. This first property of the new brand concept represents a strategic milestone for the company and expands its portfolio in Vienna to five hotels. Across Austria, the group's presence now includes nine hotels and two apartment buildings.
The building, constructed in thirteen months by the Vienna-based project developer Mamma Group, features 510 rooms and is considered the world's largest hotel built with timber. Within Austria, it is the fourth-largest hotel overall. The official opening ceremony took place in the presence of Johanna Mikl-Leitner, Governor of Lower Austria, Stephan Löwel, Chief Operations Officer DACH at Leonardo Hotels Central Europe, Katharina Fraissl, Cluster General Manager Austria at Leonardo Hotels Central Europe, as well as representatives of Flughafen Wien AG and the Mamma Group.
Concept and Features of the New Brand
The Leonardo Smart concept focuses on high functionality for a straightforward stay. Intelligent technology and well-designed amenities are characteristics of the hotel concept. The building, which holds a Gold certification from ÖGNI/DGNB, was designed with resource efficiency in mind, combining natural materials and clear design. Digital services and open-plan, versatile areas, including an Open Lobby as a central meeting point, characterise the modern stay concept. A 24-hour self-check-in allows for autonomous arrival and departure.
The rooms are functionally equipped, including a desk, flat-screen TV, high-speed Wi-Fi, and a bathroom with a hairdryer and cosmetic mirror. A breakfast buffet and a hotel bar complement the culinary offering. Family-friendly game tables, luggage lockers, a pantry kitchen, and a 24-hour mini-market also ensure comfort. Guests also have access to a fitness area with wooden exercise equipment. The operational management of the hotel will be overseen by General Manager Thomas Neubauer, a manager with many years of international experience in the hotel industry.
Significance for Vienna as a Location
The Leonardo Smart Vienna Airport is strategically located just minutes from the terminal of Vienna-Schwechat Airport. A 24-hour shuttle service every 20 minutes ensures efficient connections to the terminals and to Vienna city centre. The hotel opening is regarded by all involved parties as a strengthening signal for tourism and the economy in Lower Austria.
Yoram Biton, Managing Director Leonardo Hotels Central Europe, highlighted that the opening of the Leonardo Smart Vienna Airport represents a new chapter in the company's history and that the brand is tailored to the needs of travellers who value comfort, functionality, and an uncomplicated stay. Johanna Mikl-Leitner added that the project symbolises entrepreneurial courage, innovation, and confidence in the future of Lower Austria, significantly bolstering the tourism destination and regional value creation. Günther Ofner of Flughafen Wien AG emphasised the improvement in location quality and the creation of new jobs through the hotel, which substantially expands the dynamically growing AirportCity and promotes its international competitiveness.
