Pentahotel Vienna

Like all Pentahotels around the world, the Pentrahotel Vienna's open plan dispenses with a traditional lobby and front desk. Upbeat, but occasionally overworked bartenders serve double-duty as cocktail mixologists and receptionists. The dark Pentalounge combines an industrial-style decor of exposed wiring and purple accent lights with trendy interior design staples like exposed brick and unfinished hard wood floors. The demographic here tends to be younger guests who want a sleek, upbeat atmosphere, though it's not the best place for serious business meetings. 

The hotel is just south of the A1 Autobahn and the nearest U-Bahn station is about a five-minute walk away. Naschmarkt's numerous restaurants, cafes, and shopping are less than a 15-minute walk away. It's just over 20 minutes on foot to the touristy Mariahilfer Strasse, Vienna’s longest shopping street, and takes about the same amount of time to walk to the Museum Quarter. The Vienna International Airport is about 25-minutes by car.

The striking, if somewhat stark decor in the Pentahotel's rooms was conceived by Italian designer Matteo Thun and have a trendy ambiance enhanced by well-placed lighting, bold prints, and colorful wall flourishes that break up the otherwise dark-gray and burgundy palate. The graphic-heavy design may be jarring for some, and the stylized spaces aren't necessarily easy on the eyes. Standard Rooms are on the small side and have little desks and open-style clothing racks and box shelves with ample storage. Some upgraded top-floor rooms come with balconies that would be great spots to hang out were it not for their lack of privacy -- glass panels separate them from their neighbors. All rooms have bathrooms with rainfall showers and either in a tiled walk-in style or a shower/tub combo with a handheld showerhead. 

Most of the hotel's notable facilities are all integrated into one flowing space, with a Pentalounge that houses a front desk/bar, a cafe, and a restaurant rather than a traditional lobby. A billiards table, a chessboard, and a Playstation are set up for a variety of gaming options around the disco ball-filled bar area, which has lots of low leather couches to lounge on. An automated tea and coffee machine with fruit and pastries up for grabs sit opposite another Playstation in a side hall and a pair of Mac computers can be found in an Internet corner covered in cowhide wall panels. The restaurant serves local and international cuisine, along with a hearty buffet breakfast (for a fee), with eggs, pancakes, numerous Austrian baked goods, and a spread of fruit, meats, and cheese. There's also a fitness center -- though it only has a handful of machines -- the showers and sauna are nice perks.