Apartments & suites

Apartments are the most relaxed way to get to know Vienna: instead of a hotel room with a minibar, you get your own kitchen, a living area and often a washing machine - for a few days you live like a local, usually in a Gründerzeit-era building. The concept pays off from around three nights and is ideal for families, self-caterers and anyone who does not want to be tied to breakfast hours.

The options are spread across the central districts: the Sobieski Town Apartments sit in the Servitenviertel of the academic Alsergrund (9th), Stanys - Das Apartmenthotel on Mariahilfer Straße by Westbahnhof (formally the 15th district). In the Innere Stadt (1st) you will find Adagio Vienna City, a classic aparthotel on the Danube Canal, and Villa Kumpf, a small apartment house a few minutes' walk from the Stephansdom, while City Rooms in Leopoldstadt (2nd) offers simple studios near Praterstern.

Price-wise, apartments are often cheaper than a comparable hotel room: City Rooms is the simplest and most affordable option, fully equipped apartments sit a step above. Factor in that you can cook for yourself and that groups do not need extra beds, and the value is especially strong for families.

Two things to keep in mind when booking. First, the minimum stay: many apartment houses require two to three nights, more in high season. Second, the level of service: there is usually no breakfast and no daily housekeeping, but often self check-in instead - handy for late arrivals, but good to know if you expect classic hotel service. For breakfast, the residential districts have bakeries and cafés on every corner anyway.