Hotel Sans Souci Wien

Hotel Sans Souci is a luxury boutique hotel on the edge of the Spittelberg quarter, directly opposite the MuseumsQuartier. It is smaller and more personal than the grand Ringstrasse hotels, and it describes itself as inspired by art, which shows in its considered, contemporary interiors. The hotel holds two Michelin Keys, the guide's recognition for outstanding hotels.

Rooms range from Superior rooms of around 25 square metres to Luxury rooms, Luxury Extended rooms with a private balcony, Junior Suites and a 70-square-metre Master Suite. The style is elegant and contemporary. The location means many rooms are close to the bustle of the museum district while still being quiet at night.

A major draw is the spa, which includes what the hotel calls the longest hotel pool in Vienna, along with a sauna area and relaxation rooms. After a day of walking between museums, a swim here is a real treat. The Veranda Brasserie and Bar, led by executive chef Stephan Luksch, serves modern Austrian cooking for dinner every day from 17:00, and the bar lists more than 100 champagnes. Breakfast is served on weekday mornings and as a later brunch on weekends and public holidays.

The Sans Souci suits couples, art lovers and travellers who prefer a stylish, intimate hotel to a large international one. It is a particularly good base for anyone planning to spend time in the museums: the Leopold Museum, mumok, the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Natural History Museum are all a few minutes' walk away. Families can also be comfortable here in the larger room categories, and the pool appeals to children.

Burggasse runs west from the Ring through the seventh district. The hotel is a short walk from Volkstheater station (U2, U3) and Museumsquartier station (U2), with trams along the Ring nearby. The cobbled lanes of Spittelberg, full of small restaurants and, in December, a popular Christmas market, start right behind the hotel, and the shops of Mariahilfer Strasse are about ten minutes on foot.

Room rates vary considerably by category and season, so compare the Superior and Luxury rooms if space matters to you, and consider a Luxury Extended room if a private balcony is important. Booking directly through the hotel's website lets you see the current offers. Vienna adds a local accommodation tax to hotel bills, so check whether your quoted rate includes it. The weekend brunch is a relaxed way to start a lazy day in the city.