The Hotel Saint Shermin is situated in an 1893 Viennese apartment building that was refurbished in early 2012. It features a charming yellow facade and there are businesses on the first floor -- guests enter the hotel with a code. With only 11 rooms, this privately run spot feels like something between a boutique hotel and a bed-and-breakfast (though the breakfast costs an extra fee). Decor is quirky and bright, and guests find it interesting and charming. The lobby has turquoise and purple walls, a few yellow chairs, and a reception desk. The breakfast room is the real standout with lively mural walls made to look like shop facades on a city street. The hotel has no elevator and few extra property features, but it does offer more personality than some of the larger chains. This property attracts leisure travelers and tourists, especially couples.

The Hotel Saint Shermin is located on a pleasant street in the trendy Freihausviertel neighborhood, a two-minute walk from the Vienna University of Technology and a five-minute walk from the Naschmarkt with its many restaurants and cafes. It's also about a 15-minute walk to the Museum Quarter and a 10-minute walk to the State Opera House. Guests can walk to the Ring Road, which circles Vienna's historic center, in about 10 minutes. Most historic sights are around a 15- to 20-minute walk from here, including Kunsthistorisches Museum (15 minutes), Hofburg Palace (17 minutes), and St. Stephen’s Cathedral (17 minutes). For attractions farther out, the Karlsplatz U-Bahn station (lines U1, U2, and U4) is a six-minute walk from the hotel. Vienna International Airport is about a 20- to 30-minute drive or around 45 minutes by public transportation.

The hotel's 11 individually decorated rooms range in size, style, and decor, but they tend to be funky, colorful, and inspired by local attractions. The Marie Theresia Room, for example, has one bright pink wall and another covered in elegant floral wallpaper. A velvety chair sits in one corner of the room, a chandelier hangs from the ceiling, and a picture of Marie Theresia hangs over the bed. The wall-to-wall carpeting is a little drab and can show some signs of use, but overall, rooms are clean with quirky decor. Bathrooms tend to be small, but they're modern with square sinks and usually a standing shower (sometimes a tub). Some rooms face other buildings or a courtyard and can be dark. Occasionally guests complain of noise from nearby rooms.

Rooms are air-conditioned and include contemporary wood wardrobes, which hold safes and umbrellas. Other in-room amenities include flat-screen TVs, stocked minibars, free bottled water, and espresso-makers. Bathrooms include soap and shampoo dispensers as well as hairdryers. 

The hotel also offers five fully equipped apartments located in a different location. Some have full kitchens as well as dining and living areas, while others share these features. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, and washers and dryers in most units, plus some have access to a garden terrace.

The hotel has few extra property features, though a charming breakfast room offers up a tasty daily buffet with hot and cold options, including homemade quiche, Viennese coffee, and Champagne -- but it incurs an extra fee. The lobby includes a little honesty bar and free tea and coffee. There is no restaurant or fitness area. Wi-Fi is free. Reception is open during limited hours, but staff can be contacted via phone. Staff can assist with arranging airport transfers, dry cleaning or laundry, and concierge services.