Steigenberger Hotel Herrenhof

The size, price point and central location of the hotel draw a high number of business travelers, so don’t expect the discreet vibe of a Sacher or Park Hyatt, but for travelers who want a well-run base for sightseeing, this is an attractive option.

• The beautifully restored neo-classical building
• The central location in walking distance to all major sights
• The hip designer bar

Opened in December 2008, the Steigenberger hotel occupies one of Vienna’s best locations: right in the middle of the historic old city, within easy walking distance to the Hofburg and Stephansdom, as well as most major museums and the shops of the Graben and Kohlmarkt. It’s housed in a beautifully restored neo-classical building that dates from 1913, but interiors are decidedly modern, with nods to 1920s Art Nouveau flair. The 186 guest rooms are spacious and well laid-out, with fresh design touches like purple-silver-print wallpaper, leather bed headboards and a bright purple-green color scheme. Suites feature such details as furniture by Austrian firm Christian Einwaller, and sofas and lighting fixtures by Italian companies Désirée and Contardi.

Overall, the interiors are sleek, clean and contemporary, while city views from the top-floor accommodations are unmistakably Viennese (some rooms even have small cut-out windows in the bathrooms overlooking the city). The size, price point and central location of the hotel draw a high number of business travelers, so don’t expect the smooth, white-glove service and discreet vibe of the Sacher Hotel, but for travelers who want a central, well-run base for sightseeing in Vienna, the Steigenberger is an attractive option. The dramatic lobby bar has been embraced by locals as a new hot spot for after-work drinks, while the two-level wellness area, complete with a small spa, sauna and steam bath, offers a peaceful enclave for relaxation at the end of a busy sightseeing day.

The Hofburg, Albertina, MQ, Stephansdom and such shopping streets as Am Graben and Kohlmarkt are all in walking distance. Plus, the U3 subway line literally lets out in front of the hotel.

Visitors looking for a centrally located, well-designed hotel that is not on the service level of a Sacher Hotel or Park Hyatt but that provides an excellent value and five-star amenities.

Read Upon Arrival Vienna to discover points of interest within a few blocks of the hotel.