+43 1 211 50 0The Schick family
Hosts for five generations
For more than four centuries, the Hotel Stefanie has been synonymous with Viennese hospitality. It has been welcoming guests from all over the world since 1600, forming the foundation of Schick Hotels, which is now run by the fifth generation of the Schick family.
“While the knowledge of perfect hospitality has been passed down from generation to generation, the takeover by the younger generation has always ensured that Schick Hotels keep up with the times.”
– Dr. Martin Schick
Under the leadership of Dr. Martin Schick, the hotel group has undergone a phase of further development in recent decades. He shaped the direction of the company by combining a sense of tradition with modern management. Numerous innovations in service and facilities, the expansion to include additional hotels, and the publication of a book on the history of the Hotel Stefanie all took place during his era. With his dedication, he successfully guided the family business through the challenges of a rapidly changing tourism industry.
Generational change
In 2025, a generational change takes place: Dr. Alexander Schick takes over the management from his father. Familiar with the hotel industry from an early age, he studied business administration and commercial law and earned his doctorate at the Vienna University of Technology with a thesis on the sustainable use of resources in hotel real estate. Professional positions in international tourism and strategy consulting broadened his horizons beyond Vienna. Today, he combines scientific expertise with practical experience—while also carrying his family's legacy into the future.
“It is a special privilege to be a fifth-generation host. For me, this means not only preserving tradition, but also actively developing it further. We want to position Schick Hotels so that they continue to be places where Viennese history and modern joie de vivre come together.”
– Dr. Alexander Schick
Today, Schick Hotels comprises five hotels, two restaurants, and around 170 employees. Together, they represent a corporate culture in which Viennese history, family spirit, and contemporary hospitality merge to create a unique experience. The Schick family follows an understanding of entrepreneurship that thinks in terms of generations, not quick profits—with the aim of preserving values, taking responsibility, and shaping the future in a sustainable way.
Family Chronicle of the Schick Hotelier Family in Vienna
1888 – On 26 June, Carl Witzmann, great-great-grandfather of the current owner family, takes over the ‘Zu der Weissen Rosen’ inn with 110 guest rooms together with two partners – at that time one of the largest hotels in Vienna.
1889 – The building is named Hotel Stefanie – in homage to the wedding of Crown Prince Rudolf to Stephanie of Belgium and as a sign of imperial solidarity.
1892 – Carl Witzmann (1857-1911) becomes the sole owner of the hotel and from then on shapes the development of the establishment with vision and entrepreneurial commitment.
1911 – After his death, his wife Mathilde Witzmann (1867–1948) takes over the management and steers the hotel through turbulent times with prudence.
1926 – Daughter Stefanie Schick (1896–1979) follows in her mother's footsteps and continues to run the business as a representative of the next generation.
1947 – Dr Stefan Schick (1912–2001), son of Stefanie Schick, becomes co-owner and actively shapes the future direction of the company.
1948 – Damaged by bombs, the hotel served as accommodation for Russian officers in the post-war period and remained in operation despite difficult circumstances.
1955 – The front section of Hotel Stefanie is extended by two floors, extensively renovated and equipped with 70 new bathrooms – reopening as a modern tourist hotel.
1974 – The hotel is one of the first in Vienna to install air conditioning; expansion to 260 beds and largest 4-star hotel in the city.
1979 – Dr. Stefan Schick becomes the sole owner of Hotel Stefanie and continues the consistent development of this traditional establishment.
1979 – With the acquisition of the Hotel Am Parkring in the first district, Schick Hotels begins its expansion and strategic portfolio growth.
1980 – With the purchase of the Hotel Capricorno, the group continues to grow and strengthens its presence in Vienna's first district.
1990 – Das benachbarte Hotel City Central wird in die Schick Hotels Gruppe integriert und ergänzt das wachsende Wiener Portfolio.
1992 – Dr Martin Schick, son of Dr Stefan and Ingrid Schick, takes over the management of Schick Hotels Vienna in the fourth generation.
1994 – The Nedomansky family sells the traditional Hotel Erzherzog Rainer to their friends, the Schick family.
2000 – 400th anniversary of Hotel Stefanie with guests from politics and society
2004 – Reopening of the restaurant ‘Wiener Wirtschaft’ in the Hotel Erzherzog Rainer as a contemporary interpretation of Viennese cuisine.
2005 – Purchase of the former Maserati showroom in the building at Parkring 12 and expansion of the lobby of the Hotel am Parkring.
2015 – Reopening of the Hotel Capricorno following extensive renovation and repositioning with a modern design.
2018 – The restaurant ‘Das Schick’ is awarded three Gault Millau toques and ranks among Vienna's top restaurants.
2019 – Complete renovation of the Hotel Erzherzog Rainer, including the installation of modern air conditioning systems and renovation with respect for the historic architecture.
2021 – The Hotel Stefanie, Vienna's oldest hotel, is officially recognised as a landmark of the city of Vienna.
2025 – In September, Dr Martin Schick hands over operational and strategic management to his son Dr Alexander Schick – the fifth generation takes over.
2025 – Hotel Stefanie celebrates its 425th anniversary and looks back on a unique Viennese success story.
This chronicle tells the story of the Schick hotelier family, whose roots reach back to the 18th century and who have helped shape the hotel tradition for generations.
