Great location in the heart of the city
Modern rooms with free wine and minibars
Restaurant serves delicious fare that's popular with locals
Brasserie & Bakery bakes its own pastries and roasts its own coffee
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Molton Brown toiletries
Standard Rooms have a cramped arrangement
Rooms have no desks
Bathrooms lack privacy with glass doors
No spa, fitness center, or pool
An upscale design hotel located in the city center, The Guesthouse Vienna opened in late 2013 with a warm modern look that contrasts the gilded interiors of the city's more established five-pearl palaces. Luxury here comes not from marble and priceless antiques (there is some of the former, none of the latter), but from a cafe that churns out incredible baked goods and roasts its own coffee. There's no spa or pool, but every room has a wine fridge stocked with multiple bottles from the region, and it's free for guests to drink. Business travelers might miss work desks, and glass bathroom doors mean that rooms aren't great for sharing with friends -- or kids.
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Scene
Modern design hotel melds comfort with high style
Formerly a student hostel, The Guesthouse Vienna was given a major renovation that included the addition of pop-out windows in the building's facade. The brilliant architectural concept gave some character to the bland 1950s exterior, while simultaneously giving the rooms cozy window nooks. British designer Sir Terence Conran finished the job with copious amounts of wood paneling, paired with a restrained use of marble to create comfortable and sophisticated spaces that feel welcoming and rich at the same time.
Location
In the heart of the city, by the Albertina
The hotel is located in the Innere Stadt (inner city) next to the Vienna State Opera and the Albertina. It's a few blocks away from the bustling Kartner Strasse, one of the city's most popular shopping and pedestrian areas, and there are plenty of restaurants and bars within walking distance. The Guesthouse is just seven minutes away on foot from Stephansplatz and the adjacent St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Public transportation is easily accessible and the hotel is a 25-minute drive from the Vienna International Airport.
Rooms
Stylish rooms with espresso machines, minibars, and wine fridges with free wine
Designed to look like upscale apartments, all the rooms at The Guesthouse have a sharp decor that manages to be both homey and stylish. The gray and charcoal palate is balanced with light hardwood floors, white marble accents, and breezy white curtains, and all rooms have mood lighting. Windowed reading nooks add an extra cozy touch, and provide great views of the city. The Standard Rooms are a bit small, with a couch and coffee table (but no desks), though the rest of the rooms are large, and some are even sprawling two-level affairs. Espresso machines, stocked minibars and wine fridges add tangible value with loads of freebies (only some snacks and the hard liquor cost extra). The bathrooms have great rainfall showers and heated towel racks and come with Molton Brown toiletries. Wi-Fi is free in rooms and throughout the property.
Features
Locally made goods, popular Brasserie & Bakery, picnic baskets
Most of the features that make The Guesthouse shine are the in-room amenities (and free wine!), but the hotel is also notable for its emphasis on the Austrian. Its wines are regional, the photos adorning the walls are from Austrian photographers, and the hotel has its own branded products ranging from linens and towels to condoms. The Brasserie & Bakery keeps Viennese cafe traditions alive with a local coffee blend made for the hotel and they bake their own pastries on-site in a wood stove. Traditional fare like wiener schnitzel and veal stews are a hit with locals. The restaurant also offers a variety of picnic baskets, complete with pots of tea or coffee, for guests who want to have lunch in one of the city's many green spaces.
