At the edge of the lovely Stephansplatz is this design-oriented abyss of modernity. Its exterior is part curvy glass and part patterned stone, leaving it standing in stark contrast to the surrounding art-deco buildings and the famed St. Stephans. The entrance is hidden from curious onlookers, and arrivals make their way down a dim hallway to find a bank of two elevators leading to the hotel, which bills itself as an oasis of urban luxury. A bellhop waits by the door to assist guests and direct them to the elevators.
On the upper levels, the fun begins. Elevator doors open to reveal a compact, contemporary sitting area where the use of light is the most influential portion of the decor. Staffers man the tight reception desk with proficiency and direct guests to the sleek Onyx Bar off to the side. Panoramic windows supply ample views of the bustling platz below, and the backlit onyx paneled bar is breathtaking. The restaurant and cafe boasts an open kitchen and an international menu a couple stories above the bar.
Accommodations are literally transparent (save for the interior walls), meaning that their enormous windows afford views of the city, and panels of glass leave nothing to the imagination beyond the doors to the baths. Lovely teak furnishings fill the rooms, and leather fabrics are interspersed with natural stone accents. Guest rooms come complete with swanky beds with plush mattresses and duvets, as well as sofa areas and big desks. Some suites even offer whirlpools. High-tech knickknacks are the norm, with fancy Bang & Olufsen flat-screen TVs and stereo systems and wireless Internet access in all rooms. Minibars offer various wines and other unusual items, and room service is on call at all hours.
Baths deserve to go without walls, thanks to their marble surfaces, excellent lighting, enormous mirrors, glossy modern sinks, chrome fixtures, fresh towels and deluxe toiletries. Fresh flowers are adjusted daily, and planet-sized bath sheets dry guests after a soak under the rainfall showerheads.
Managed by a company with interests in catering, restaurants and lounge services, this hotel has what it takes to please the discerning traveler. The best rooms are those overlooking the cathedral, although few views will disappoint here. No location in the city can beat this hot spot for tourists, and business travelers deserve unique surroundings for solo trips, although the expected perks are not as available as those at the Hilton Stadtpark or Marriott.
