Kolpinghaus Wien-Zentral

The hotel takes its name from Adolph Kolping, a German priest famous for creating support networks for the working classes who suffered during the rapid industrialization of the middle of the 19th century. Part hotel and part student dormitory with a Catholic social club, the eye-catching building brings its bright primary color palate into the interiors, but they still feel institutional. Most guests here are budget travelers and it's a convenient spot for younger tourists in search of simple value digs.

The Kolpinghaus Wien-Zentral is centrally located near the Museum Quarter and Naschmarkt -- with numerous restaurants, cafes, and great people watching -- is just around the corner. It's also walking distance to Mariahilfer Strasse, Vienna’s longest shopping street that's popular with tourists for its numerous restaurants and shops. The nearest U-Bahn station is just a four-minute walk away and the Vienna International Airport is about 30-minutes by car on a good day. 

The 92 rooms at Kolpinghaus fall into three categories: Economy, City, and Deluxe. Many have balconies, and Deluxe Rooms look out into the courtyard and are quieter than the street-facing City Rooms. Economy Rooms are in the an older section of the hotel. Rooms are spartan, institutional affairs with linoleum floors. Color palates come in light peaches and baby blues, with simple blond-wood furnishings that include small desks and chairs. There are few other extras -- even mini-fridges and coffeemakers are absent -- and some rooms have tube-style TVs (though these are being replaced by flat-screens incrementally). Rooms do have safes, however, and small reading lights accompany the low twin beds (which are pushed together to make doubles). Decorative crosses aren't uncommon on the walls. The basic bathrooms have small walk-in showers and hairdryers.

The Kolping Society maintains a small chapel room that holds regular services and an additional seminar room that can fit up to 85 people. There's a lounge and large breakfast room (which all share the same decor and chairs) where a free breakfast buffet is served. The spread consists of Viennese rolls, Austrian black breads, various sausages and cheeses, boiled eggs, and different types of cereals, jams, and juices. An outdoor courtyard patio provides more alluring seating for breakfast under colorful umbrella-covered tables. The supermarket attached to the hotel on the ground floor is a great added convenience, as is the underground parking lot, which guests can use for a fee. Wi-Fi is available throughout the property in theory, though the signal is too weak to reach some rooms.