Safestay Vienna

The late-19th-century building was entirely renovated in 2012 for La Prima Fashion Hotel's minimalist contemporary style, which relies mostly on existing architectural details -- such as ornate molding and arched alcoves -- to lend it some character. The interiors are compact, and the lobby is essentially a narrow hall with star-shaped pendant lights hanging from a high ceiling above a tiny front desk. It's a smaller property and though it has facilities for leisure travelers, the hotel has a more business-focused vibe and has its own boardroom and meeting room for corporate events. 

The hotel is just south of the A1 Autobahn with the nearest U-Bahn station just a three-minute walk away. Naschmarkt's numerous restaurants, cafes and great people watching is within easy walking distance and can be reached in under 10 minutes. It's a 20-minute walk to the touristy Mariahilfer Strasse, Vienna’s longest shopping street, and it takes about the same amount of time to reach the Museum Quarter. The Vienna International Airport is about 25-minutes by car.

La Prima isn't breaking any new ground with its decor, but trendy floor lamps are an interesting feature in the otherwise mostly blank white rooms with gray carpets and curtains. Minimalist white bedside tables match the plain shelves and integrated work desks. Frosty beige chairs with touches of green and dark orange bed add bits of color to the otherwise monochrome palate. The black-and-white tiled bathrooms have heated towel racks and large, open walk-in showers. Some rooms have small balconies and others have larger bathrooms with exterior windows. Most of the rooms, however, are on the smaller side, with only the few Superior Rooms and the single Family Suite sporting extras such as Illy coffeemakers. 

The small bar is right off the lobby and shares the same space as the hotel's breakfast room -- which can get crowded when guests need it most. Though small, the breakfast buffet (not included) is packed with the usual cereals, pastries, some hot options including scrambled eggs, bacon, and -- of course -- a wide selection of sausages. There is also a small spread of cold meats and cheeses. A courtyard terrace provides the outdoor space with patio furniture to lounge on. Business facilities include two meeting rooms -- a small boardroom and a larger space that shows off the old vaulted ceilings of the original building -- which can host up to 40 people. A tiny 24-hour business corner is in the lobby with one computer, and the hotel has other laptops available for rental. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.