Photo Credit: You Rock My Life

MEET AS YOU ARE

LOCATION

The Vienna creative zone was the ideal place to realise the plan for a hotel with a difference, which was dreamt up by one of the founders of the 25hours hotel company, Christoph Hoffman. The hotel has added to the contemporary creativity of the city, which is embodied in the nearby MuseumsQuartier. Behind the modern exterior of the hotel’s facade, a nostalgic story about the city is revealed to guests, who can discover memories and lift the veil on some of its secrets. If the weather is inclement, guests can spend the whole day in the hotel discovering its individual corners, whilst its location, on the edge of the city centre, means Vienna’s attractions are just a stone’s throw away.

ACCESSIBILITY

Photo Credit: ArchDaily

Thanks to its excellently organised public transport, in 2017, for the eight consecutive year, Vienna was named the city with highest quality of life in Europe. In practice this means that everything functions smoothly and seamlessly and that all means of transport are easily accessible. If the weather allows, a ride around the city on its excellent network of cycle paths is recommended. Bikes can be rented in front of the hotel. It takes around 16 minutes to reach Vienna International Airport in Schwechat, which is the main central-European air hub, meaning visitors are well catered for in terms of air transport.

COLD APPETIZER - Architecture and Aesthetics

We are all mad here! The inscription on the minimalist glass facade, which otherwise blends into the imperialist monumental architecture, raises one’s expectations. Whilst it is true that these days there are more than enough hipster hotels, 25hours was the forerunner for hotels of this concept throughout the world. And with wisdom, it reliably fulfils all expectations. The mobile furniture, retro features, the ‘wow’ effects, top-notch bar, employee uniforms – everything is geared towards the positive feeling of guests. Isn’t aesthetic functionality the highlight of a stay? At this hotel, it is close to perfection, which is why it attracts creators. Not to mention investors, since the hotel recently became part of the Accor chain of hotels.

WARM APPETIZER - Personnel and cuisine

It is hard to find anywhere with a more casual, but at the same time professional, approach than that found at 25hours. Employees dressed in denim shirts are friendly and professional. Bow ties are a welcome fashion accessory and create a good first impression. Breakfast is comparable with that of many of its more reputable city neighbours – top quality with local touches and positive energy. And real Viennese rolls, which melt in the mouth, provided by the team at the 1500 Foodmakers Italian-style restaurant, which is known for its excellent salads and pizzas. This is why locals can be found among the guests frequenting the restaurant. There is even a kiosk that sells practical necessities for a comfortable stay in the emperor’s city. This kind of lifestyle shop would also be a good addition to other hotels.

MAIN DISH - The hotel's congress services

Though small, the hotel rooms are charming and full of retro suprises. The circus motif on the wallpaper behind the bed is the work of the Berlin-based illustrator Olaf Hajek. The bed is top quality – it’s been a long time since I slept so well on a bed that was as great for my back. Numerous retro details make the hotel room pleasant, in particular the vintage lights, plentiful hangers, and, for lovers of music, a superior Ultimate Ears wireless speaker. The hotel rooms offer everything that many others do, with one important difference, they are exceptionally comfortable and attractive.

The conference halls are on the small side, more suited to seminars for small groups. The entire hotel, however, makes an excellent pop-up venue. A number of the hotel’s spaces can be transformed into top-class conference areas, a place for filming adverts, a small hall for launching new products, or for holding press conferences. Open space.

DESSERT – Extras

Der Dacbhoden is more than an ordinary bar. In addition to the great views offered from its eighth floor location, it is also an excellent place for socialising, where even the biggest hipsters put down their smartphones and enjoy hanging out, socialising, and chatting about life in general.

FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES

The somewhat uncoordinated reception team, which resulted in check-in becoming a rather lengthly experience.

TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES

Humour, everywhere! On hangers, the elegant promotional cards, and in the lift. Creativity has wings in this hotel and it brings a smile to the face.

OVERALL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY

Let’s begin with the reasonable prices, which are the first distinction of this hotel. The second is the relaxed ambience and employees, which stirs up all the senses with its circus aesthetics and nostalgia.

The third is the common areas, where guests can socialise, enjoy, and create lively events. Vintage chic contributes a great deal to this, which perhaps appears as if it has been brought from here, there and everywhere, but nonetheless gives a feeling of comfort and warmth. The hotel doesn’t have a feeling of being excessive, guests of all types can enter and stay, and are welcome to express themselves in their own way. Stephan Gerhard from Stuttgart, Ardi Goldman from Frankfurt, Kai Hollmann and Christoph Hoffmann from Hamburg are right – a top-class hotel doesn’t need gold door handles and crystal chandeliers, but rather a creative concept and a great story. I sincerely hope that the recent changes in ownership will not spoil the superior experience of this hotel.

The success of the hotel convinced the Accor hotel chain to invest in the concept in 2016, and the group now owns a 30% share of the 25hours hotels company. This is confirmation of the concept of the founders who dreamt up a new model of hotel luxury.

  • CATEGORY:  4****
  • OPENED SINCE: 2013
  • MEETINGS STAR: City Meeting Hotel
  • STANDARD: Hotel with Conference Facilities
  • NUMBER OF ROOMS: 217 rooms and suites
  • INTERNET PRICE: 134 EUR (December 2022, Booking)

FACILITIES:

– RIBELLI Restaurant
– Dachboden bar
– Mermaid’s Cave gym and spa area
– 5 meeting rooms

EXTRAS:
A hotel with its own spa in the centre of Vienna is definitely a welcome feature. The Mermaid’s Cave spa follows the hip and funky spirit of the hotel, featuring two saunas and a small fitness area, complete with retro-inspired fitness equipment and a cold relaxation room. A visit to the spa after exploring the vibrancy of the city is a great way to end the day.

GETTING THERE:

25hours Hotel Vienna at MuseumsQuartier
Lerchenfelder Straße 1-3
1070 Vienna, Austria
P: +43 1 521 51 0
E: res.wien@25hours-hotels.com
wien@25hours-hotels.com

RESULTSAVERAGE SCORE
1. LOCATION4.95
2. ACCESSIBILITY4.92
3. FIRST IMPRESSION4.74
4. LOBBY4.67
5. EMPLOYEE ATTITUDE4.42
6. RECEPTION4.31
7. HOTEL ROOM4.57
8. HOTEL BED4.83
9. BATHROOM AND RESTROOM4.35
10. HOTEL BREAKFAST4.74
11. BARS AND RESTAURANTS4.79
12. CONGRESS HALL4.31
13. ADDITIONAL OFFER4.62
TOTAL:4.63

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