25hours Hotel Vienna at MuseumsQuartier

Say what you will about Vienna hotels—many of them are quite extraordinary indeed—but few of them handle their aesthetic affairs with so light a touch as 25hours Hotel Vienna at MuseumsQuartier.

For many centuries, Vienna’s had a reputation as a creative center, and one entirely deserved. There is, however, some issue as to the volume of respect that’s paid to figures, styles, and movements of the past. This is why the mere existence of a hotel like 25hours is a welcome relief.

The location, just west of the city center, places 25hours adjacent to the museum district and the Neubaugasse shopping quarter, in a spot that appeals perhaps more to Vienna’s hip young creative class than to opera-history obsessives.

Not that there’s anything wrong with being an opera-history obsessive—but for the duration of your stay you’ll be steeped in post-modern whimsy rather than Romantic drama.

In fact, there is a historical inspiration at work here: that of Vienna’s famous circuses. Which goes a long way towards explaining the riotous colors and the generally maximalist interiors.

There are a restaurant and a wellness center on the post-opening agenda, and already open is the Dachboden, a top-floor all-day lounge that doubles as a particularly convivial sort of open-plan workspace.

Main text with contributions from Tablet Hotels.

in our opinion

There is so much we love about this place. The quirky ideas, the lovely touches, the classy furniture… and a touch of madness—all this blends delightfully to create a distinctive whole.

*This review contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you.

What we love

• Inspired by a fantastical world of circus spectacle and guided by the principles of improvisation and eclecticism, architect Arkan Zeytinoglu and interior designer Armin Fisher created something truly unique;
• The combination of details and creative ideas is first-class. All spaces are carefully curated to give an informal “friends' home” vibe.
• The L+ category room, with an open-air bath on a private balcony;
• The rooftop Dachboden bar, with great atmosphere and views of the city.
• Free Wi-Fi and MINI cars and bikes—which can be rented free of charge.

What you should know

• Not for everybody. The mixture of bold colors, captivating illustrations on the wall and quirky ideas could give a headache to any conservative;
• As with many urban hotels in a popular area, it can get busy. Request a room away from the noisy rooftop bar;
• The hotel is situated right in the heart of Vienna's 7th district, with MuseumsQuartier and the Parliament just a short walk away. Volkstheater is the nearest metro station.