Novum Hotel Kavalier Wien

From the outside, the Kavalier Hotel does not inspire confidence -- the rectangular yellow building has a bland, flat facade and an odd silver awning that juts out like an eyetooth. Inside, things are decidedly better. A clean, spacious lobby features tiled and carpeted floor, white walls, and a wood reception desk. Couches and tables in lime and orange have a somewhat faded look, but they offer plenty of space for guests to relax. Behind the sitting area is a nice half-moon bar finished with classic bar stools, while a few coffee tables and chairs are positioned nearby. The decor here feels impersonal and the property is far from major attractions, but for travelers on a budget it can be a real bargain.

The Cavalier Hotel is situated along a busy rail line in a largely residential area outside of the city center. Guests can walk to Schoenbrunn Palace, the former imperial summer residence that's also home to a zoo, in about 25 minutes (alternatively, it's an eight-minute drive). However, other major attractions will require a car or public transportation. The nearest tram line is a one-minute walk away, while the Wien Penzing train station is an eight-minute walk from the hotel, and the underground's Braunschweiggasse stop is a 10-minute walk. Guests can get to the heart of the city in under a half hour. Some attractions, such as Hofburg Palace, lack a direct route via public transit and thus can take an hour by train, but only 15 to 20 minutes by car. Vienna's Central Station is about half an hour away via public transit, while Vienna International Airport can be reached in an hour. The hotel can arrange airport transfers and offers on-site parking, but both cost extra.

Ranging from Singles to Triples, guest rooms are best described as adequate, and while they're clean and roomy, the decor isn't anything special. Blue wall-to-wall carpeting and upholstery pair with blond-wood laminate furniture and white walls. Red-striped curtains feel a little dated, but the floor-to-ceiling windows they cover let in lots of natural light (though the views of the train tracks aren't particularly spectacular). Rooms include desks, flat-screen TVs, and wardrobes with safes and mini-fridges, but no coffee- and tea-making facilities. All rooms are air-conditioned, but some guests have complained that the AC doesn't work well. Bathrooms are equally simple but contemporary, with black-and-white tiling and shower/tub combos plus hairdryers, toiletry dispensers, and make-up mirrors. 

Like the rest of the property, features at the Kavalier Hotel are straightforward and functional. The hotel has a lobby bar (which serves both coffee and alcoholic beverages) and a simple restaurant open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The breakfast buffet is included in room rates and features standard continental offerings including fruit, breads, cold cuts, and cereal. Other property features include three meeting rooms and a sauna. The front desk is open 24 hours a day and offers concierge services including dry cleaning and laundry service, plus luggage storage and airport transfers (for a fee). Parking is available on-site but it costs extra. Wi-Fi is free, but some guests complain of slow connections.