Der Wilhelmshof

Der Wilhelmshof is a family-operated hotel situated in a late-19th century building with a six-story yellow facade dressed in white window trim, elegant lintel and cornice detailing, and top dormer windows. The interior, designed in collaboration with Viennese artist Ty Waltinger, is chic and modern with an artsy air. Large-format abstract art and murals appear throughout, and the hotel features warm tones with moody orange lighting and red accents. The bar and lounge has wood floors, a mosaic-tiled bar, and square armchairs and couches with brown and red leathery upholstery. Details like modern sculptures, bright rugs, and fresh flowers give this hotel a personal, boutique feel, though some areas can feel more generic. This hotel is ideal for tourists, including couples and families, and tends to offer slightly better prices than similar hotels in the heart of the city.  

Der Wilhelmshof is situated on a quiet side street in the second district, just a three-minute walk to Praterstrasse, one of the neighborhood's main arteries. While slightly outside of the city center, the busy tree-lined Praterstrasse is home to many cafes, restaurants, and shops. The Praterstern train station is a five-minute walk away and offers train and subway (U-Bahn) service. Prater Park, which includes a popular amusement park with its world-famous Ferris Wheel, is about a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Major tourist attractions can be a bit of a hike on foot: It's a 25- to 30-minute walk to St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Hofburg Palace, or the State Opera House, but these can also be reached by public transport in 20 to 30 minutes. Donauinsel and Karlskirche are also accessible via public transport in about 30 minutes. Vienna International Airport is a 15- to 25-minute drive, or about 35 minutes via public transport. The hotel has limited underground parking and can arrange for airport transport, but both cost extra fees.

Guest rooms are individually decorated, featuring minimalist, modern decor accented by abstract art murals. Entry-level Classic Rooms (also called StandART rooms) measure between 215 and 260 square feet, and decor in these can feel dated, with wall-to-wall carpeting paired with orange shades and upholstery. Upgraded rooms tend to be more stylish. A Deluxe Double, for example, might pair wood floors with gray walls, white bedding, and a modern square tufted headboard. Wood chairs feature suede upholstery, and a collage-style mural on the wall behind the bed adds artistic flair. Premium Rooms, which can measure over 300 square feet, were renovated in 2016 and feature wall art and matching lamps that define the rooms' color palettes. Penthouse Junior Suites, which measure between 430 to 485 square feet, were refurbished in 2012 and include balconies and ceiling paintings. 

Rooms have seasonal AC, desks, and wardrobes with safes. They're also equipped with HD LED TVs with satellite stations, minibars, coffee/tea facilities, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms tend to be roomy and modern, and include showers or shower/tub combos with rainfall showerheads as well as bidets, underfloor heating, hairdryers, and free individual toiletries. 

For the most part, Der Wilhelmshof offers the features one would expect for an upper-middle-range hotel, with a few obvious omissions. The hotel offers a free breakfast buffet with a nice array of standard fare like breads, fruits, cheese, eggs, and coffee. Gluten- and lactose-free options are available. The buffet is served until late morning. There's also a chic bar that serves drinks and snacks, as well as a roomy outdoor terrace, though this is closed slightly earlier to prevent noise issues in interior-facing rooms. There is no on-site restaurant, but room service is available throughout the day. 

The hotel has a 24-hour front desk and multilingual staff who can offer ticket assistance or arrange for airport transportation or laundry or dry-cleaning service. Limited garage parking is available, but costs an extra fee. Bike parking and luggage storage are free. Wi-Fi is also free throughout the hotel and computers are available for guest use. Some rooms can accommodate pets for an extra fee. The hotel is nonsmoking.