Hotel Exe Vienna

Hotel Exe Vienna is a modern seven-story hotel. It occupies a 100-year-old building, though there’s no character or period details remaining. Interiors are done in run-of-the-mill mid-range decor -- that is to say: basic, with lots of brown and cream. This is a clean and comfortable hotel for sure, but it’s best used as a base to sleep while spending most of the time exploring the city. The social vibe is muted, as there's no bar. This EXE draws plenty of tourist couples looking for affordable rates and good transport links, as well as some business guests.

The Hotel Exe Vienna is located in the Hernals area in the 17th District, just off Hernalser Gurtel -- the belt that divides the city center from the outer districts. This is a local-feeling neighborhood, away from the city’s tourist hub in the First District. There are a handful of shops and restaurants nearby, as well as bars with live music. Yppengasse tram stop is right outside the hotel and Alser Strasse U-Bahn is around a five-minute walk from the property. It takes 15 to 20 minutes by public transportation to reach attractions like the Vienna State Opera, Musikverein, Hofburg Palace, and Albertina Museum. The Schonbrunn Palace can be reached in a 20-minute drive or around 35 minutes by public transportation. Budget 30 minutes to reach Vienna International Airport by car, or around an hour via public transport. 

Rooms at the Hotel Exe Vienna are simple -- bordering on bare -- with pale wood-effect flooring alongside wood paneling plus cream and brown details. The relatively compact bedroom areas also pack in desks and armchairs, with closets in the entrance hallways. Air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi come standard. Basic minibars are provided, though coffee- and tea-making facilities are only offered in the suites. Bathrooms are fully tiled and a bit tired. Some have walk-in showers while others feature shower/tub combos. Wall-mounted hairdryers, beauty mirrors, and basic toiletries are provided. Rooms are divided into double/twin or triple configurations. All rooms are a tiny 140 square feet (13 square meters), which is particularly tight in the Triple Rooms. Suites are 323 square feet (30 square meters), with partially separated seating areas that can be used for third beds.  

There’s not much going on at the Hotel Exe Vienna. Behind the lobby there’s a large simple breakfast room where buffet breakfast is served at a fee. The reception area has a small coffee bar for grab-and-go caffeine fixes. A basement fitness room has a few pieces of cardio equipment and is only suitable for a quick workout. There's also a heated indoor pool, which we weren’t able to photograph -- at the time of our 2016 visit it was undergoing refurbishment. Wi-Fi is reliable and free throughout the property. For business guests, there are two meeting rooms. On-site parking is available for a fee.