Altstadt Hotel

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VIENNESE ARISTOS ONCE LIVED in this former Art Nouveau apartment block in Vienna’s arty Spittelberg quarter – which makes Altstadt Vienna a great place to bed down in sleek and statuesque surrounds.

This intimate boutique hotel, with its relaxed, bohemian vibe, lies just a short stroll from the city’s Museumsquarter. Milanese architect Matteo Thun has added his distinctive stamp to many of the rooms, making the Altstadt something of a modern design classic.

Airy bedrooms are all individually styled. High ceilings and honey coloured, rugged parquet floors are set off by retro ‘60s style chairs and sofas, crisp white bedlinen and contemporary art (including some Warhol and Leibowitz originals) from the owner’s collection. Gleaming tiled bathrooms are a treat.

Boudoir chic

The Altstadt’s Matteo Thun rooms – oozing boudoir chic – reflect some of the decadence of early 20^th century Vienna, with deep and sensual colours, striped wallpapers, huge photographic nudes, boldly signatured rugs and bedside rolltop baths. For a bathtime soak à deux try the dramatic Felix suite, the boudoir-like Otto suite, Junior suite number 15 or the sleek Kitchen suite.

Other suites range from white-on-white to bold scarlet and jade, while two huge apartments provide a home from home to longer-stay guests. Smaller Classic and InStyle rooms – many with tall windows and modern timber wall panelling – also provide comfortable quarters and look out on the inner courtyard.

Head downstairs to the striking Red salon – where a crackling fire burns in winter – for drinks and complimentary tea and cakes in the afternoon. While there’s no restaurant, Viennese buffet breakfasts will set you up for the day and there’s a good choice of eateries within five a minute walk.

Located just outside the Ringstrasse, the Altstadt Vienna is ten minutes from the city’s famed museum quarter and an easy tram ride from the other big sights. Charming, multilingual staff go above and beyond here to ensure their guests have the best time.