The CheckOut: Hotel Sans Souci Wien in Vienna

Top/Bottom Line:

Relatively new on the scene, the Hotel Sans Souci Wien combines modern sophistication with a refreshing touch of whimsy, from the yoo Studio-designed furnishings in shades of cream and purple to the clever, oversized Vienna-set selfies by Austrian skier-turned-art photographer Hubertus von Hohenlohe that adorn the lobby and many rooms. This 63-room boutique hotel serves up some serious swank without taking itself too seriously.

Rates:

The hotel has five different classes of room, beginning with the 25-square meter 269 square feet) Superior Rooms, which go for €254/night all the way up to the 70-square meter (750 square feet) Master Suites, which will set you back €590/night. A happy, stylish medium is the 30-square meter (323 square feet) Luxury Extended Rooms (€294/night), which feature sexy 4-poster beds and original works by American pop artist Steve Kaufman.

Location:

Located near the Volkstheater metro stop, the San Souci is within walking distance of the cultural district Spittelberg and right across the street from the popular Museumsquarter, which is a contemporary art lover’s haven by day and a bustling social hub by night with a wide array of open-air cafes and clubs. Though opened in late 2012, the building was actually erected in 1872 and has a classic look and rich history — Johann Strauss performed his famous “Tritsch-Tratsch Polka” here!

Room:

Bright and airy with high ceilings, parquet floors, crisp white linens and a mix of antiques and contemporary designer furnishings, it’s sophisticated without feeling stuffy. The big “wow” moment comes when, with a touch of your remote, the lower half of the oversized, vertical mirror turns into a wide-screen TV. So if you’ve ever wanted to see yourself on top of, say, CNN’s Anderson Cooper, this is the place for you.

Bathroom:

The toilet is in a separate room from the shower, which is convenient when traveling with a bathroom-hogging friend or partner. The Master Suites feature circular marble bathtubs but all rooms come with dual sinks and large marble showers that are screaming out for a celebrity sex tape shoot.

Amenities:

There are a lot of goodies: free Wifi (1GB/day), special linen for allergy sufferers, tea station and an organic breakfast buffet with lots of healthy options and made-to-order egg dishes. The Sans Souci Spa Club is 450 square-meters (4,800 square feet) of pure bliss and worth a visit even if you’re not staying the hotel. The gym features state-of-the-art machines and free weights, but the real showstopper is the two-lane, twenty-meter (65 feet) lap pool. Made of chic stainless steel and lit by five Viabizzuno crystal chandeliers, this is the kind of place where Daniel Craig’s James Bond would get his pec-pump on before heading out to kill and/or bang someone.

Gay Factor:

Well, first off, there’s the purples. Vienna’s Gay Village neighborhood is also just a 15-minute walk away and the hotel’s friendly, hip staff are in-the-know and forthcoming when it comes to unique attractions and special events that might appeal to gay visitors.