Hotel City Central

The Hotel City Central is a small, family-friendly property, attracting mostly business travelers and tourists, due to its accessibility to city center. The bright, two-story lobby has glossy marble-tiled floors, leading up to a mirrored staircase with ornate bannisters. Decor is somewhat old-fashioned, with traditional Turkish rugs, antique furniture, and green potted plants scattered around the ground-floor. The adjoining lobby bar/lounge is a nice place to unwind with a drink before heading out, while the bright breakfast room is a pleasant place to start the day, with plenty of natural light pouring in from the conservatory-style roof. Set away from the city center on a quiet road, it has a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere, though the breakfast room can get busy in the mornings.

The Hotel City Central is a great base for exploring the city. Located on a quiet road near the Danube River, guests can reach many attractions in less than 15 minutes on foot. St. Stephen's Cathedral is a short 10-minute walk from the hotel, while Prater Fairground is around a 20-minute walk. Vienna's most popular shopping area, Karntner Strasse, is around a 15-minute walk, and it's close to numerous bars, restaurants, and museums. Travelers who don't care to walk much can take the subway at Swedenplatz U-Bahn station, which is a five-minute stroll across the bridge. The immediate area is quite lively and has a few local shops, cafes, and restaurants, though there are plenty more dining and drinking options over the bridge toward Schwedenplatz. Vienna International Airport is around a 20-minute drive from the hotel, depending on traffic. 

All 58-rooms at the Hotel City Central are spacious and clean. Like the rest of the hotel, the decor is old-fashioned and plain -- we even spotted a bit of wear. Antique floral couches and carpeted floors create a cozy-enough atmosphere, and modern technology includes flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and air-conditioning. Other amenities include minibars and safes. Some rooms have balconies, with a few higher-floor rooms offering lovely views of Vienna's rooftops. Larger family rooms and apartments are available, which are ideal for big groups and long-stay travelers. Bathrooms are surprisingly spacious too, with tiled walls, heated towel racks, shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and free basic toiletries. The hotel is mostly quiet, but the rooms have thin walls, which could be an issue for guests with noisy neighbors. 

There isn't much on offer at this simple hotel, but the free breakfast buffet gets excellent reviews from guests. Served in a big, bright conservatory, it includes a variety of hot and cold options, such as eggs, fresh pastries, cereals, hot chocolate, coffee, and even a glass of bubbly. The hotel doesn't have a full-service restaurant, but there are many dining options within easy walking distance. A small bar/lounge is attached to the lobby, where guests can grab a drink or coffee. The lobby also has a small business center, with a computer, printer, and free high-speed internet. There is no fitness center, but guests can request a voucher at reception for a nearby gym. Other services include laundry, dry cleaning, concierge, free daily newspapers, and free Wi-Fi. On-site parking is available, but there is an additional fee for this.