The Hoxton brand defines itself as a series of “open house hotels,” more of a hospitable neighbor than a traditional hotel. And while it doesn’t have the market cornered on decked-out, high-design public spaces, it definitely draws a crowd to Vienna’s calm and quiet 3^rd District with the new The Hoxton, Vienna.

An open lobby is busy with both guests and locals lingering over an afternoon coffee, chairing a small business meeting or quietly taking a Zoom call. All-day dining keeps the large front patio bustling.

Street cred: It’s all about location

The 3^rd District is also called the Landstrasse district, located in the city’s southeast corner. It’s a rather quiet and unassuming neighborhood, with a mix of trendy boutiques, cool cafés, a few historical landmarks and fancy museums. The beautiful Stadtpark is a five-minute walk away, as is the Stadtpark Underground station. There’s a small supermarket around the corner to stock up the little fridge in your room.

It’s a short walk to the Ring Road streetcars and Old Town’s major icons like St. Stephen’s Cathedral and Hofburg Palace, and not that far from popular Karlsplatz square, anchored by the 18^th-century domed St. Charles’s Church.

Who hangs here: Is this hotel for you?

This is the cool crowd for sure, a jacket-and-jeans kind of place, just the right lipstick shade and handbag brands. Guests seem well mannered and not too young to get too raucous. I didn’t notice many children, but they are certainly welcome.

The straight goods: What’s in the room?

Rooms range in size from shoebox to roomy, single to king beds. There’s a retro elegance to the décor, propped up with colorful framed art and ruched headboards. There are few real cupboards, just knobs bearing wooden hangers. Now, you have to look at all your stuff hanging up there, but it really frees up floor space. A desk folded up flat to the wall. A chair is also hanging on the wall that I could pull down, unfold and sit on to tie my shoes. The bathroom features Blank toiletries, made exclusively for The Hoxton.

Bragging rights: What else has it got?

There is a small pool on the rooftop adjacent to the tropical-style bar, which has an excellent view of the area. The Apartment is a three-room space with a pantry, good for traveling with friends, and The Auditorium is something new for The Hoxton, an in-house events space.

Good eats: Cocktails and cuisine

Bouvier is a modern bistro serving an all-day menu just off the lobby. Small plates here include things like steak tartare and truffle pastry, followed by larger, hearty items such as moules et frites, steaks and schnitzels.

Cayo Coco is the rooftop eatery with a Havana-inspired look, serving fritters and fries, coconut shrimp, ceviche and salads, and Cuban sandwiches. The considerable terrace here gets plenty of sun, with a side patio providing more privacy among ample greenery. It stretches out into the pool area, where snacks and drinks can also be served.

Salon Paradise is the sexy bar in the basement. It has an underground, counterculture feel, often augmented with live music.

A few of our favorite things: What stood out?

The balanced mid-century style here really works, the retro feeling not forced or kitschy or trying too hard. Interiors draw inspiration from the Wiener Werkstätte movement, a group that brought Viennese architects, artists and designers together in the early 1900s. This is blended with a 1950s design sensibility in harmony with the building’s original personality. Expect vintage furniture, marble- and travertine-clad walls, local artwork and geometric patterns. I liked it that the light switches were actual knobs to be turned.

Parting shot: If we could change one thing

The small pool is for guests only, great for people watching and eavesdropping, but there’s not enough staff to keep it properly bussed and looking orderly. There’s also a 50 Euro minimum spend on the pool loungers in the afternoons, which I find a bit of a slap.

Standard rooms from EUR170. Breakfast not included.

Doug was a guest of the hotel during his stay. The hotel had no editorial input for this review.