The Ring

"This majestic 68-room hotel on the Ringstrasse has a more casual air than neighboring grande dames. There’s no pseudo-Hapsburg decadence, gold faucets, or red velvet behind the nineteenth-century facade. The decor throughout is uncluttered, with easy-on-the-eyes browns and creams, while color-coordinated prints hang instead of oil paintings, toning down the opulence. Rooms come with original moldings and a Nespresso machine. The seasonal food at At Eight, the restaurant, is inventive and mouthwatering, diminished only by a dining room with somewhat bland furnishings. Impeccable service adds the finishing touch of personal luxury, and the less formal look doesn’t take away from the quality of the residence, which is a welcome, less expensive alternative to the usual Imperial- or Art Deco–style hotel."