Vienna House: Hotels that feel like home

Vienna House is a boutique hotel chain with locations primarily in central Europe, it’s a hotel brand on the rise.  Each location is unique, with an air of sophistication and authenticity you don’t find with many of the big brands. The following is my experience staying at four different Vienna House properties.

In 2018 I spent a fair amount of time in Europe, staying at dozens of hotels. There was one brand that stood out to me, that was Vienna House. I stayed at two locations in Germany and two in Poland, all had an individual sense of style, while seemingly adhering to a set of cultural cues that are woven within the fabric of the company. The employees are not just friendly, they’re friends you meet along your journey. Far too many hotels are just providing a place to stay, Vienna House embraces the sense of travel, which encompasses adventure, discovery and experience.

It is worth noting that The Vienna House has two lines of hotels:

• Vienna House is an upscale, individually modern design segment with a classy style.
• Vienna House Easy is a smart-casual design with a cool, fresh and easy-going atmosphere at affordable rates.

VIENNA HOUSE ANDEL’S BERLIN

My first European trip of the year was in early March when I stayed at the Vienna House Andel’s in Berlin. This is a superb 4-star hotel with modern style and fresh charm. It’s a large high-rise hotel with over 500 rooms, 3 restaurants, a spa, meeting space and more. This Andel’s is located in the melting pot of Friedrichshain, Kreuzberg, not far from Alexanderplatz, it’s a great central location within Berlin.

Vienna House Andel’s Berlin is also home to Skykitchen, where supple leather bound menus set the stage for a rich meal to come. Unlike many fine-dining restaurants, this one has a more casual contemporary flair, with concrete floors and cozy intimate lighting that comes in many varieties and forms—just like the lights from the skyline looking out of the dramatic windows. Each dish is masterfully presented and prepared.

VIENNA HOUSE EASY BRAUNSCHWEIG (BRUNSWICK)

The Vienna House Easy in Brunswick is a bit outside of the downtown area and offers a more modest version of the Vienna House Andel’s in Berlin, but pretty cool nonetheless. My room was modest with a hip flair and quite spacious. The cool part of the hotel are the amenities. The hotel has a vibe a bit like a hostel with communal feel and energy. There is a large common area at the center of three wings that take guest to their rooms. In one area of the hotel there is a spa with dry and steam saunas. Another area has a sports center with squash courts, badminton, Kegel (German style bowling), gym and other activities. Then, there is an American-style pub to tip back a few brews with fellow guests. The Vienna House Easy in Brunswick is a really fun place to stay.

VIENNA HOUSE ANDEL’S CRACOW (KRAKOW)

The Vienna House Andel’s in Krakow is situated in a fantastic part of town—it is centrally located to the north of Rynek Główny, which is the primary square in town. Everything is walking distance, or, a short rail ride away. Even better, the hotel has bikes available, which is a wonderful way to see this UNESCO city.

Vienna House Andel’s is where design, art and hospitality converge in utter delight. The bold design coupled with vibrant colors give the rooms a cozy and luxurious feel. All guest rooms feature state-of-the-art amenities and are generously designed for a home-away-from-home experience. Architectural design enthusiasts will find this an ideal home-base from which to explore the city, or, to rest and relax after a long day of exploring.

The on-site restaurant, Mavricks, blends California cuisine with Asian, Mexican and European influences, while the interior makes you feel like you’re dining thousands of miles away on the west coast of the U.S.  On a nice day, the outdoor patio with a view of Jan Nowak-Jeziorański square is a must!

VIENNA HOUSE EASY KATOWICE

Given the central location near a major thoroughfare, the Vienna House Easy in Katowice probably caters more to business traveler. However, for those who don’t mind a bit of walking, there is a lot to see and do within close proximity. Steel and coal used to be the dominating industries in Katowice, but today, it’s a young and dynamic place where science, technology and the arts are thriving, fast becoming a European cultural hub.