Renaissance Wien Hotel

With its striking, modern monochrome facade, the Renaissance Wien Hotel certainly has an eye-catching presence. A complete redesign and renovation in 2015 brought the hotel very much into the 21st century, while adding a few subtle references to Old World Vienna. A sleek entrance of matte black and polished brass sets the tone for the lobby behind -- moodily lit with smart contemporary seating and polished gray marble that extends from the floors to front desk. Portraits add some color to the an otherwise formal and slightly impersonal atmosphere. The look extends to hallways, with understated, modern decor and a Baroque-themed motif, such as chandeliers and quill-style signage. The U-shaped building also overlooks a leafy courtyard (though with no access for guests). With the general feel of a business-oriented design hotel, it's far from obvious that you're in Marriott chain property. Attracting an even mix of corporate and leisure guests, tourist buses are as common as conference groups at the hotel.

The Renaissance Wien hotel is located on a busy main street in a largely residential -- and not overly interesting -- neighborhood overlooking the Wein River. While the Baroque Schönbrunn Palace is just about within walking distance, Vienna's picturesque Old Town and most of its tourist attractions are a U-Bahn ride away. The station just across the road (Meidling) connects to the historic center (Karlsplatz) in approximately 10 minutes; for the buzzing Naschmarkt district, get off one stop earlier. Vienna International Airport is usually about 35 minutes by car, and about the same by public transportation. 

All 305 guest rooms benefitted from the 2015 overhaul, with a contemporary update in the hotel's signature monochromatic style, with gray wood-effect floors, white lacquer furniture, and splashes of purple. Touches such as chandeliers and faux alligator skin fabric add an edge that borders on overly dramatic, and rooms can feel a little dark. Units overlook the street, which can be noisy from trains and traffic when windows are ajar (they don't open fully), or a quieter, leafy courtyard. All units have 50-inch flat-screen TVs, electric kettles, and mini-fridges, but surprisingly no minibars. Club room and suite perks include Nespresso machines, slippers, and bathrobes. Limited and fairly slow Wi-Fi is free, with a charge in standard rooms for the faster, premium service. Swish bathrooms all feature quirky -- and rather ghostly -- full-length depictions of Marie Antoinette, as well as walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads, quality toiletries, and updated hairdryers. Most guests agree that bed are particularly comfy and have quality linens. 

Although far from comprehensive, the Renaissance Wien provides enough in the way of facilities to keep most guests happy. Channeling the spirit of turn-of-the-century Vienna, the sumptuously decorated Wunderkammer restaurant opens for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. While breakfast is not included as standard (not even in Club rooms, and it's pricey), an impressive spread includes all the usual hot and cold items, plus cooked-to-order waffle and omelet stations. Lunch and dinner menus feature Austrian, Parisian, and Middle Eastern cuisine. The cocktail bar has live DJs and hosts occasional events, such as Great Gatsby-themed nights. Room service is available 24/7. Sadly, the hotel's rooftop pool was lost during the 2015 remodeling, and while a large sauna overlooks a roof terrace, there's no access. There's also a spacious, modern fitness room with weights and exercise machines. Club and Suite guests have use of a cozy VIP lounge, and there's a swish business center with PC terminals and a printer. Basement parking is available at the hotel, though for an expensive daily charge. Premium Wi-Fi also incurs a fee for guests below the Club-room level, and the free, basic Wi-Fi is often slow.