25hours Hotel beim MuseumsQuartier

The 25hours Hotel beim MuseumsQuartier is one of the most characterful mid-range hotels in Vienna. Part of the 25hours design hotel group, it sits on Lerchenfelder Straße at the edge of the seventh district, just behind the MuseumsQuartier, and its theme is the circus. The design, by the studio Dreimeta, leans into that theme with colour and playful details, so it feels fun and relaxed rather than corporate.

The rooms carry the circus theme through and come in several sizes, from compact doubles upwards. The hotel attracts a mix of creative travellers, couples, friends and families who like its informal style.

The roof terrace is one of the hotel's main attractions. Der Dachboden bar and loft serves Austrian wines, beers and long drinks with a wide view across Vienna, and it is popular with locals as well as guests, especially at sunset. On the ground floor, Ribelli Wien is an Italian-style restaurant by Weghuberpark serving lunch, aperitivo and dinner, including antipasti and Neapolitan pizza. Guests can hire Schindelhauer bikes and pick up a map of suggested routes along the Danube or around the Prater.

The hotel suits travellers who want personality and a good location at a moderate price, and it is especially good for anyone who plans to spend time in the museums or exploring the shops, cafés and bars of Neubau and Spittelberg. Book the rooftop bar early on summer evenings if you want a table.

Lerchenfelder Straße meets the Museumsplatz behind the MuseumsQuartier. Volkstheater station (U2, U3) is a few minutes' walk away. The MuseumsQuartier, the Volkstheater, the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Spittelberg lanes are all within a few minutes on foot, and the Hofburg and the Ring are just beyond.

Room categories differ mainly in size and view, so check the descriptions on the hotel's website if you want more space. The rooftop bar is open to non-residents, so expect it to be busy on warm evenings and at weekends. Bikes are a great way to see more of Vienna, which has a large network of cycle lanes along the Ring and the Danube Canal. Vienna adds a local accommodation tax to hotel bills, so check whether your quoted rate includes it. The hotel's neighbourhood is also one of the most enjoyable parts of Vienna to explore on foot. The seventh district, Neubau, is known for independent fashion and design shops, vintage stores, coffee roasters and small bars, and its side streets have a creative, local feel that contrasts with the grandeur of the Ring. It is easy to spend an afternoon here between museum visits.