Hotel Exe Vienna is a 115-room mid-range hotel that’s a decent option for travelers wanting to avoid the high rates in Vienna's First District. The 17th District location means that guests will need to rely on public transportation to get around -- U-Bahn and tram lines are both just a couple minutes’ walk from the property. Features at this simple hotel include a large breakfast room, heated indoor pool, and gym, but there’s no full restaurant or bar. Rooms have amenities like air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and TVs, though they're small and basic. For a more central option at similar rates, check out Austria Trend Hotel Ananas, which is just about walkable to some of the city's tourist sites, though some of its rooms experience traffic noise.

This three-pearl boutique hotel is conveniently located on a residential street just outside of the center of Vienna, near Prater amusement park, and within close walking distance to tram and subway stations. The 48 rooms have an interesting retro-style decor and feature flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. While the buffet breakfast is generous, it's pricey. There are enough facilities to please couples and business travelers, including a bar, spa, and fitness center. For a more modern boutique hotel, travelers should try Hollmann Beletage, which offers free buffet breakfast and afternoon tea, snacks, and Prosecco -- at higher rates.

This lovely mid-sized, mid-range hotel in central Vienna offers 47 unique rooms just steps from the Naschmarkt and other quintessential Viennese experiences. Constructed in 1902 in the Neo-Renaissance style, the building perfectly blends its history with today's modern conveniences, and there are free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and air-conditioning in all guest rooms. No two units are alike and there’s a wide variety in what folks get, so ask questions when you book. Some spaces are more appealing than others, but all are clean and have modern bathrooms. While there’s no full restaurant on the premises, there are many choices nearby as well as an ample free daily breakfast, a small bistro bar in the lobby, and an inviting mezzanine lounge where guests are treated to a free weekend concert with sparkling wine. Beethoven would approve. ****

For guests who prize functionality over design, the 54 guest rooms and suites of this classic style hotel should satisfy. All the basic necessities are met at the three-pearl property, and a few times exceeded, be it in the bar, coffeehouse, or spa. The excellent location amidst Vienna's upscale hipster neighborhoods west of the ring road is a selling point. Indeed, many of the city's main attractions are within a 20-minute walk, and the nearby tram and metro can quickly reach the rest. The property's traditional decor is pleasant enough, but may feel fussy and overdone to some. Guest rooms lighten up the tone, but don't update it. All have kitchenettes, though they're missing microwaves, and some units lack AC. For those seeking a more contemporary aesthetic at a similar level of quality and location, head two blocks south to the Hotel Altstadt.

The 73-room NH Wien Zentrum is a four-pearl chain hotel situated on a bustling main street near the subway, about a 20-minute walk from the city's historic center. The huge rooms, suites, and apartments are a main draw, with streamlined decor, wood floors, and sitting areas separated by dividers with rotating flat-screen TVs. Other highlights include huge bathrooms with rainfall showers, plus minibars and Nespresso coffeemakers. Amenities are limited for an upscale property -- there's no full-service restaurant or bar, and the advertised spa and gym is mostly just a sauna and a single exercise bike. But a nice buffet is served in a rooftop breakfast room with an outdoor terrace, albeit for an extra fee. By comparison, the NH Wien Hotel City nearby isn't quite as modern, but it's closer to Old Town.

The magdas HOTEL was founded with a socially conscious mission to help refugees by employing them as part of a diverse staff, and the property offers budget-friendly accommodations and cheerful, hostel-like atmosphere. It's located a bit off the beaten path, but its 88 guest rooms are modern, well-maintained, and individually decorated with local art, vintage donations, and recycled furniture. Standard rooms lack TVs, and there are no kettles or mini-fridges, but there's free Wi-Fi and some units have balconies and lovely views of the nearby park. Features include a lobby bar and a large outdoor garden terrace with a boules court and regular events, including themed weekly dinners for an extra charge. Breakfast is also available for a fee. Travelers looking for accommodations across the city with a similar vibe, eclectic vintage decor, and rates can consider Hotel am Brillantengrund. 

The Harmonie Vienna is a four-pearl, 66-room boutique-style hotel in trendy Serviten, a neighborhood filled with restaurants and boutique shops. The property is within walking distance of Hofburg Palace and St. Stephen’s Cathedral, but most major sights require a tram or bus ride. Rooms are modern with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and minibars. In addition to a pricey breakfast buffet, there's a small gym, meeting rooms, and a charming lounge where guests can relax over free afternoon tea, coffee, and cakes. Travelers might want to compare rates with the similarly priced Levante Parliament, which is closer to the city center and has an on-site restaurant and sauna, with massages available. 

MyPlace City Centre is a small and sharp apartment hotel that's a good option for those seeking more space, or who are on extended city stays. It's right in the middle of Vienna's bustling First District, with shopping, dining, and major historic attractions all around (including St. Stephen's Cathedral). The 33 apartments have an elegant, contemporary style and plenty of space -- especially the two-story Maisonette Suites -- plus kitchenettes with Nespresso machines. There's no full-service restaurant, but a buffet breakfast is available daily. The rooftop terrace has superb city views, and guests can kick back on the chesterfield sofas in the lobby TV lounge. Travelers looking for a more traditional hotel option might prefer Graben Hotel Vienna's Old Quarter, which also has a restaurant and bar. 

As airport hotels go, the NH Vienna Airport is a cut above the rest, with a full spa, modern meeting facilities, and a touch of style that's uncommon so close to the runway. Two large restaurants, including one with an American-style breakfast buffet, make for hassle-free dining on the way to catch a flight or a meeting. Some of the rooms at this upscale hotel have been renovated, but the older rooms, which the hotel calls "cozy and traditional," are quite dated and show excess wear. Beyond airline crews and tourists with missed flights or layovers, business travelers might find that the on-site business amenities, proximity to the A4 Autobahn, and a train that gets to the center of Vienna in 16 minutes, make this hotel a good spot for them too.

A monument to the Art Nouveau movement popularized in Vienna by artists such as Gustav Klimt, the Hotel am Konzerthaus embodies the style from top to bottom. The four-pearl hotel exudes a chic ambience with rooms that spare no decorative expense, including custom headboards featuring works by Klimt, and Nespresso machines. Despite the obvious focus on design, many of the rooms' furnishings show excessive wear. Located in the city's quiet Embassy Quarter and incorporating several modern meeting rooms, the hotel is popular with business travelers and art history buffs. It's close to the city center and many attractions, but those looking to be steeped in culture in a more happening part of town should consider the Hotel Altstadt Vienna, known for its large private art collection.