For the tenth time Vienna has been crowned the world’s best city to live in. Maybe you think that this recognition is enough to draw the tourists in? Let’s talk about that in another Vienna travel blog because let me first introduce to you the amazing Hotel Daniel Vienna in this review article.
Surprisingly, Vienna is an underrated tourist destination in Europe. So, I decided it was time to visit Vienna and see for myself why the Austrian federal capital was marked, out of 231 cities around the world, as the most liveable city in the world for the tenth time in a row.
Also have a look at my Vienna travel blog full of tips and things to do.
While exploring options for accommodation in Vienna I got enthusiastic while scrolling along the website of Hotel Daniel Vienna. If you are looking for a standard, regular hotel then this is not your place to stay in Vienna but if you like to visit accommodations who have surprising details and are a bit different compared to the mass big scale Vienna hotels then Hotel Daniel Vienna could be a great match. Hotel Daniel Vienna is a highlight in the maze of low/mid budget hotels.
Location Daniel Hotel Vienna
When arriving in Vienna Airport it was only a 15 minute journey by train to Vienna railway station, Wien Hauptbahnhof, and from there it was 5-10 min walk to hotel Daniel Vienna. First thing that I noticed while approaching the hotel is that it is right next door to the Belvedere palace and its gardens, so although the hotel is located a bit out of the city center the fact that is located next to the historic Schloss Belvedere and several railway stations is a big plus!
The hotel is located inside the old office building of Hoffmann-La Roche AG, the Swiss healthcare company.
First impression Hotel Daniel Vienna
I will take you along during my 3-night stay in this delightfully odd hotel, constructed from a refurbished office block on the Vienna city ring road.
The first surprising detail I noticed on the outside is a sailboat hanging from the roof… yes you understood it right, this art piece by Erwin Wurm immediately attracts the attention when checking in to Hotel Daniel Vienna. Another surprising detail is the trailer in front of the hotel next to the hotel terrace, which is a beautiful treasure and you can stay here overnight as it is a room on wheels.
While entering Hotel Daniel Vienna you will face the open lobby and you notice a cozier atmosphere compared to the exterior. I felt welcome from the first instant due to the hospitality and help of the front desk staff of Hotel Daniel Vienna. Dieter, the hotel manager explained a lot about the history of the building, the amenities of the hotel and he provided some valuable Vienna travel tips.
Some of the nice details Dieter shared about Hotel Daniel Vienna was the urban gardening in the front garden and the fact that they have their own beehives up on the roof. The hotel offers free WiFi, bike and Vespa rental and has their own hotel shop where you can buy the honey of the bees from the roof.
The interior of the front desk is not standard, the desk boosts a vintage and eclectic vibe. From the lobby you have a glance at the dining area and this ground floor is covered with oddities, some vintage pieces and jungle plants.
Hotel Daniel Vienna advertises itself as “urban stay – smart luxury’ and I think it is refreshing that they have a unique style, far from any sort of hotel chain charm. They offer 116 fully re-interpreted, contemporary and luxury rooms which will suit modern travelers. Overall my first impression was a mix of industrial, modern and urban vibes topped with a friendly staff and not-so-ordinary-interior-details!
Rooms Hotel Daniel Vienna
My reservation for the 3 nights contained a stay in one of the Hotel Daniel Vienna panorama rooms. The hotel offers several types of rooms: the junior suite, the smart, the panorama and the hammock.
My room was located on the 5th floor and offered large windows with panoramic views towards the city and Schloss Belvedere. A hammock in the mid of the room was the perfect place to watch the sun setting down and due to the many windows in the room it was a comfortable way to start the evening.
The Hotel Daniel Vienna panorama room was spacious and modern in a minimalistic style, equipped with a flat TV, a safe box deposit and a good Wi-Fi connection. The modern shower has nice tiling and was only divided by a glass, so make sure you feel comfortable with your traveling partner. :)
As the hotel is located next to the main road, I was a bit hesitant about possible issues with the noise. I am a light sleeper, so I am used to having trouble with noise in combination with getting enough hours of sleep, but I didn’t face any trouble from the noise and the beds were soft and comfortable.
As I am an early bird, I did not mind the sun light entering the room through the blinds but if you are sensitive to light you could be a bit moody waking up like this in the morning. The windows were covered by blinds and the concrete ceiling added to the minimalistic and rustic look of the room.
A big plus for me was that 2 of the many windows could be opened, which is something I appreciate a lot.
There was no closet in the room, there were a couple of hangers available and for me this was not a problem at all… who needs a closet anyway if you can live out of your suitcase?!
If you fancy a special experience, you should consider staying overnight in the Hotel Daniel trailer.
Restaurant Hotel Daniel Vienna
The common space downstairs around The Daniel Bakery is a very hip and spacious area, and it has a laidback and easy-going atmosphere. Not only the indoor but as well the outdoor area is lovely.
Both business and leisure guests enjoy the venue, but citizens around the neighborhood also come and visit regularly for a business meeting or hanging out with friends which makes the bakery a cool looking place. So write this down as one of the tips for Vienna.
The first night I decided to have dinner at the restaurant and the international menu made it hard to choose, the kind waiter recommended to choose their signature steak, and this was an excellent choice. It is ideal to share this dish among two people, the steak was prepared in a high temperature broiler and had the best flavor so I can definitely recommend it.
Breakfast Hotel Daniel Vienna
I cannot write about this hotel or restaurant without mentioning the phenomenal breakfast! The breakfast at Daniels Bakery is a steal, there is a large selection of choice: all of very good quality and all made fresh… eggs, waffles, cakes, fruit, juices and there is a fancy Nespresso coffee machine to make your own cappuccino or late macchiato.
Breakfast is served during the week from 06.30 am to 10.00 am and on weekends till 12.00 am.
Review Hotel Daniel Vienna
Hotel Daniel is a great base for a city trip to Vienna. Easy to reach by train from the airport and within easy reach of two different tram lines so no problem getting around in Vienna. You can also use the busses or subways, another option is to rent out their Vespa or bikes that they provide.
More importantly it is situated next to the Belvedere Palace and only a short ride away to the main Vienna tourist area including St. Stephens Cathedral and the Opera House or the numerous museums.
I was impressed by Hotel Daniel’s urban and stylish vibe, absolutely loved my stay and would definitely visit again on my next trip to Vienna! There is another Hotel Daniel located in Graz, Austria, and I would love to start planning a visit there… which says enough about how much I enjoyed Hotel Daniel Vienna.
This blog is written by @fromsaarwithlove, who is part of the Traveltomtom team. She also wrote the Austrian Bauernlodge Höfen review and more blogs about Austria.