Hotel Royal

The faded, flat exterior of the 10-story Hotel Royal gives little clue to what's offered inside. The hotel, which has been family run since the early 1930s, offers Old World charm in common areas, with high backed wooden armchairs, scone lighting, and ornate gilded mirrors. The lobby decor itself feels a bit scattershot, but the huge painting of old Vienna is a standout. Where this property really excels is in its dining facilities. The ground floor restaurant, which is also used as a breakfast room, pairs stone-columned archways with wood floors, painted murals, white button-tufted seating, and wood-beam ceilings. The rooftop restaurant, perched on the top story, is even more stylish with rustic wood tables, a wrap-around balcony, and floor-to-ceiling windows with views over the city. Tourists are the primary clientele, including couples and families, all drawn by the competitive rates and stellar central location.

The Hotel Royal is exceptionally well located in the dead center of Vienna, just a two-minute walk from St. Stephen's Cathedral. Fine dining, designer shopping, and most of the city's major attractions are in walking distance, if not in the immediate neighborhood. Kohlmarkt Street, home to luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, is just a five-minute walk, and the Vienna State Opera is a seven-minute walk. For sights farther out, the Stephansplatz U-Bahn station is just a one-minute walk away. Vienna International Airport can be reached in about 30 minutes via public transit (though this includes a 15-minute walk to the Wein Mitte railway station) or in about 25-minutes by car. The hotel can arrange airport transfers or pick-up service for those who need to park their cars.

The Royal's spacious rooms feature elegant Old-World Italian furnishings like upholstered wood chairs, rich wood tables with curved Queen Anne legs, and ornate mirrors. The modern white beds and white walls can make the rooms feel slightly bare, but the nice parquet floors and rich red drapes add to their overall appeal. White tiled bathrooms are roomy, clean, and well-maintained -- though they're not exactly luxurious. They might include showers or combination shower and tubs. More than half of the hotel's 88 rooms are upgraded Superior Doubles, which include sitting areas. The few entry-level Standard Rooms are smaller, and some have carpeting rather than parquet.

All rooms feature air-conditioning units and include minibars, flat-screen TVs, safes, and free Wi-Fi, but no coffee/tea service, though room service is available during limited hours. Bathrooms are stocked with hairdryers and free individual toiletries. Some rooms can accommodate three guests. 

The Royal's extra property features are geared toward busy travelers, and the highlights are the two on-site restaurants. The attractive ground-floor Ristorante Firenze Enoteca serves Italian dishes for lunch and dinner and offers a nice selection of wines. This is also where the hotel's free continental breakfast is served, with a quality offering of standards like bread, cereal, meat, and cheese, though the dining room can get crowded. But the real standout is the 10th-floor Ristorante Settimo Cielo, which has a more modern decor, plus a bar, outdoor balcony, and seating next to floor-to-ceiling windows that show off views of the city's rooftops. This restaurant is open for lunch, dinner, and evening drinks. Room service is available during limited hours.

An alcove, deemed the "business center," offers a computer and printer for guest use, and Wi-Fi throughout the hotel is free. The hotel offers concierge service, luggage storage (free), airport transfers, laundry service, and babysitting services, albeit most for the requisite extra fees. Pets are allowed for an extra fee. There is no gym nor any other wellness facilities on site.