NH Wien City

The NH Wien hotel can be hard to spot from the street. From Mariahilfer Strasse, guests can get to the property through what looks like an entrance to the underground, but the main doors are situated at the back of the hotel, accessible via 9 Lindengasse. At this entrance, guests will be welcomed into a functional reception area with a wood desk and a somewhat bland carpeted lounge area with a few upholstered pieces of furniture set against a salmon pink wall. The breakfast room and small spa -- the only other common areas in the hotel -- are clean and contemporary, but guests should note that most of the hotel's windows face into a courtyard, which means there's not a lot of natural light. The draw here, for families, couples, and groups of friend alike, are the large rooms, which include roomy suites and apartments with sitting areas or kitchenettes.

The NH Wien Hotel is centrally located on Mariahilferstrasse, a lively pedestrian shopping street full of mid-range shops and some eateries. The MuseumsQuarter is about a five-minute walk, while Vienna's historic center and Hofburg Palace is about 17 minutes away on foot. Guests can also connect to local attractions using the subway -- the Neubaugasse UBahn station is just a four-minute walk from the hotel. (The hotel property is essentially connected to this station, and guests getting off at the Neubaugasse station should take the Stiftgasse exit to get to the hotel.) Vienna International Airport is about a half hour away by car. Parking is available on-site, but it costs an extra fee.

Guest rooms are plain but clean and tasteful with dark wood floors, simple matching furniture, white bedding, cream-colored walls, and red drapes. Artwork is notably absent in smaller rooms, though some larger rooms have photo murals of waterfalls and other decorative pieces. Long desks offer a place to work, while open wardrobes provide storage space and electronic safes. White-tiled bathrooms are contemporary with showers (some have tubs). Rooms face the courtyard, and guests' biggest complaint is there's not a lot of natural light.Rooms are air-conditioned and include coffee/tea service, gently stocked minibars, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms have hairdryers and free individual toiletries. Entry-level rooms measure a roomy 270 square feet, and there are plenty of larger rooms for three to four guests, which feature extras like separate sitting areas and kitchenettes with counter space, sinks, and microwaves. Some upgraded rooms also add amenities like bathrobes and slippers, Nespresso machines, and separate showers and tubs.

The hotel's primary extra property feature is its breakfast service served in a glossy wood-floored dining room, albeit for an extra fee; it's a nice spread of cold options (cereals, bread, meats, cheeses, and fruit) and a few hot items too, like eggs and sausage. There's no full-service restaurant or bar, but a small snack station in the lobby sells light snacks, like sandwiches and ice cream, as well as drinks -- helpful between meals. Wellness facilities are on site but they're limited -- the "spa" is just a little sauna (guests must notify the hotel 30 minutes before use so it can be turned on) and a relaxation room, and the fitness area is particularly modest -- only a single stationary bike and elliptical. The front desk operates 24 hours, and the hotel offers concierge services. Staff can arrange airport shuttles, laundry service, on-site self- and valet-parking, and babysitting for extra fees. Pets are also allowed for an extra nightly fee. Wi-Fi is free, and a business station in the lobby offers two computers and a printer for guest use.