SO/ Vienna

"If you're looking for a contemporary counterpoint to the Austrian capital's staid neoclassical aesthetic, you need only wander down the Danube Canal to the 18-story jewel box that is the SO/ Vienna. Formerly the Sofitel Vienna Stephansdom, the property was designed by French architect Jean Nouvel with all the avant-garde accents you’d expect: a minimalist gray-and-white palette in the 182 rooms (though three all-black suites are also available), cutting-edge art, and a living wall off the lobby. The pièce de résistance, however, has to be Das Loft, a scenic restaurant on the 18th floor, where the panoramic city views are rivaled only by a stunning technicolor ceiling mural by Swiss artist Pipilotti Rist."

Sofitel Vienna Stephansdom

"Austria’s conservative capital got a jolt of minimalist chic with this off-kilter 18-story tower by French starchitect Jean Nouvel. Located along the Danube Canal (with the Schiffsstation catamaran landing across the way), the 182-rooom Sofitel lies just outside the city’s historic first district, commanding wide-angle views over the skyline and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Style more than function is the driving force here: Nouvel reportedly banned flowers from the lobby and minimalized the presence of signs and other visual distractions. The all-gray, cathedral-side guest rooms have sleek, sliding panels covering the windows, and bare (though heated) gray floors; north-facing rooms with views over Prater park are white-on-white (and have curtains); and for the style-obsessed there are three all-black rooms, booked by request. Spared from total aloofness, the hotel integrates with city life through its design-focused shopping center, while two restaurants attract a local crowd: Le Loft, an airy rooftop restaurant/bar by three Michelin–star chef Antoine Westermann, and Neni im Zweiten, a branch of a beloved Israeli-themed restaurant from the city’s Naschmarkt. Though courteous and competent, staff are not quite laser-focused: An overzealous bellman might carry off the bags with the documents you’ll need for check-in. The overall effect makes a stay here feel less Viennese and more like a journey into the flourish-free vision of a master architect."

These Hip, Irreverent Hotels Are Transforming Luxury Travel - AFAR

"Situated in Leopoldstadt (the 2nd District) with rooms that look out toward the iconic Ferris wheel, this hotel offers a creative take on Viennese urban life with easy access to seasonal canal-side “beach” bars and a strong focus on design-led dining and social experiences." - AFAR

SO/ Vienna, a Design Boutique Hotel Vienna, Austria

"Designed by the famous architect Jean Nouvel, this stylish hotel offers panoramic views over Vienna, a gourmet restaurant, a gym, and a 750 m² spa area where guests can relax free of charge. SO Vienna is located in the centre of the city, only a short walk from all major attractions. The air-conditioned rooms at SO Vienna have a bathroom with a bathtub and a rain shower. The minibar including mineral water and fruit juices is free of charge in all rooms. Free WiFi is available in the entire hotel. Combining traditional Viennese architecture with modern design, the SO Vienna features an elegant glass façade, a spacious lobby with video ceilings and a vertical garden. The entirely glass-walled Restaurant and Bar Das LOFT on the 18th floor provides direct views of St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The Schwedenplatz Underground Station (lines U1 and U4) is just across the Schwedenbrücke (bridge) on the other side of the Danube Canal. St. Stephen's Cathedral, in the very heart of the city, is only a 10-minute walk away." - My Boutique Hotel (en)