The Art Hotel Vienna

There isn't much of a theme to either the art or the design of the hotel, with no singular style that ties together the entire property. The graffiti-covered parking garage leads into a lobby with a mashup of styles and purposes. There's a front desk opposite a small bar and an area with tables and chairs packed around an art corner crammed with functional easels. The whole property feels more like an eclectic hostel than a hotel.

The hotel is located in a bland residential area far from most of Vienna's attractions. It's south of the A1 autobahn in the Margareten district, with the nearest U-Bahn station about a 15-minute walk away. Naschmarkt's numerous restaurants, cafes, and shopping are a 20-minute walk away. Expect a 30-minute drive to the Vienna International Airport.

The hotel has two distinct room types: Classic Rooms and Longstay Apartments, which vary further in size and amenities. The Classic Rooms have blue carpets and cheap light wood furniture, and would be spartan in design if not for the inclusion of contemporary artwork (some have more involved designs on the walls as well). Although rooms do come with flat-screen TVs, they lack coffeemakers and mini-fridges, with the only additions being small tables and chairs. The simple bathrooms have two-toned tiled walls and floors with shower/tub combos. A number of larger studios add kitchenettes and work desks. More appealing apartments have wood floors and a mix of modern furniture, dining tables, and full kitchens with dishwashers, ovens, and automatic espresso machines. Some of the upper-level apartments open onto large terraces with views over the nearby rooftops.

Among the wildly varying interiors at The Art Hotel, there is a more focused lounge with exposed brick walls, hardwood floors, and local artwork on display. The space can be rented out for art exhibitions and there's also a meeting room that can fit up to 24 people. The lobby bar is small, with just a handful of stools and two small tables, but guests can mingle with struggling artists down a spiral staircase in the brick-lined smoking lounge in the basement. Dusty bottles of wine adorn the walls, and the lounge has a few sofas and high tables with stools as well as a small bar and old piano. There's no full restaurant, but the breakfast room has a sizable spread of typical Austrian breads, cold meats and cheeses, with hot egg dishes and an espresso machine. Breakfast costs extra, but Wi-Fi is included in room rates.