Sharing my honest review of a stay at magdas HOTEL—a boutique hotel in Vienna, Austria
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Choosing a hotel in a large, unfamiliar city is kind of overwhelming, isn’t it?
With so many neighborhoods to consider and countless properties to sift through, narrowing down the options can be daunting. Even once you’ve chosen a specific part of the city to stay in, figuring out which hotel aligns with your travel style and budget adds another layer of complexity. So where do you begin? By focusing on what matters most to you—be it location, budget, or something deeper, like a hotel’s mission.
Note: This review is not sponsored and I paid for my stay at magdas, however, this post may contain commissionable links.
As someone who prefers staying outside the touristic city center, with its inflated prices and chain restaurants, I naturally gravitate toward hotels in more residential neighborhoods nearby. These areas not only offer a more local feel but are often well-connected to the city center by public transit, making it easy to explore while enjoying a bit of life like a local.
After researching Vienna’s hotel options (that is, spending hours comparing prices and reading countless reviews), one property stood out above the rest—not just for its location and budget-friendly rates but for its inspiring mission: magdas HOTEL.
After spending four nights at this unique boutique hotel, I couldn’t keep it to myself. So, today, I’m sharing a full review of my stay so you don’t have to spend hours combing through the city’s hotel listings to find a place to rest your head in Vienna. Read on to learn more about what makes this hotel so special, and my honest thoughts on the experience.
ABOUT MAGDAS
magdas HOTEL is located in Landstraße, near the city center of Vienna. But it’s far more than a place for travelers to rest their heads while in the Austrian capital—it’s a hotel with purpose. As Austria’s first Social Business Hotel, magdas opens doors for individuals who have fled their home countries, offering them opportunities to work and thrive in a welcoming, inclusive environment. Here, refugees become hosts, and have the chance to share their stories with guests from all over the world.
In addition to running a hotel with people in mind, sustainability is at the heart of magdas. In the hotel restaurant, local and organic products dot the menu, reducing their impact on the planet. And from its geothermal heating system to its delightful upcycled décor, the hotel’s rooms and common spaces have been lovingly transformed with the help of local artists and volunteers, blending mid-century furniture with unique, repurposed pieces. Because of this, each room has distinct character and charm.
ROOM OPTIONS AT MAGDAS HOTEL
Take your pick from more than 85 unique rooms, divided into several styles to accommodate all types of travelers: Classic Double, Classic Double Balcony, Classic Single, Suite, Family Classic, Apartment, and Barrier-Free Rooms with wheelchair-accessible showers (more information on magdas’ accessible rooms can be found here). While all are minimally furnished, each is uniquely decorated and equipped with everything a traveler needs for their stay.
MAGDAS HOTEL AMENITIES AND EXTRAS
Because the offerings at magdas are so paired back, this list admittedly feels a little shorter than most. You won’t find a stocked minibar or plush robes in your room, but you will find a streamlined list of essentials:
- Free Wi-Fi
- Outlets and USB ports
- Private bathrooms
- Hairdryer
- TV
- Kettle with selection of tea in-room
- Custom luxury soap
MY EXPERIENCE AT MAGDAS HOTEL
To say I was ready to arrive at magdas HOTEL after travel delays and an in-flight medical emergency (my own, as luck would have it), is an understatement. Thankfully, check-in was swift (although notably lacking the welcome drink mentioned on the hotel website), and soon Michael and I were huddled in the little elevator and heading up to the sixth floor.
Once we found our room, we’d planned to quickly freshen up and unpack our bags before heading out to explore one of the city’s Christmas markets. However, those plans were quickly scrapped when we realized the “wardrobe” listed on the website actually consisted of a Shaker peg rail and three hangers—albeit lovingly crocheted hangers. Instead, we each commandeered one of the two benches in the room and used our suitcases as closets.
Even on our first night in Vienna, navigating the city from the hotel’s front door was a cinch. The O tram stop is just steps away, and the Rochusgasse U-Bahn (metro) station is a short six-minute walk around the block. For your arrival into the city, the Wien Rennweg and Wien Mitte S-Bahn (commuter rail) stations are about a ten-minute walk away. With many sights spread across Vienna, you’re always within a thirty-minute ride of everything most visitors will want to see.
Returning from our adventures, I wanted nothing more than to crawl into the supportive double bed, curl up in my separate twin comforter, and sleep for as long as reasonably possible. But first, I had to face the shower.
Like almost every other hotel I’ve ever stayed at in Europe, the rooms at magdas have those dreaded partial shower doors that I will never understand. Is there some secret to showering that all Europeans know to prevent the water from splashing out? If so, please enlighten this poor blogger, who gets so tired of spending her vacations mopping up the water that has inevitably escaped.
I grabbed the bottle of 3-in-1 shampoo/body wash/hand soap from the sink and plopped it on the shower shelf, wishing a second bottle had been provided. The product, custom-made by Austrian cosmetics brand Lederhaas, smelled heavenly, but it left my hair begging for moisture and I ended up switching to products I’d brought from home. And while the hotel provides towels for hands and body, there are no washcloths provided in the rooms. This isn’t unusual, but a good-to-know.
I stepped out of the shower feeling grateful that Michael and I are comfortable with one another because the shower opens directly into the room without a barrier (a curtain can be drawn, but that prevents access to the toilet or the door). After a quick blast with the provided hairdryer and brushing all the mulled wine from my teeth at the sink (adorned with teeth cups, naturally), I could finally, finally sleep.
Even though I was so exhausted I probably could have slept under any conditions, the room’s blackout curtains and quiet neighborhood had me sleeping through the night and waking fully adjusted to my new timezone. Upon waking in the morning, we opted to skip the hotel’s add-on breakfast; though it was tempting, neither of us felt we would eat enough to justify the €19 price. Instead, we chugged water from the provided refillable glass carafe (this TikTok about ordering water in Europe is so accurate) and headed out for a light pastry and coffee elsewhere.
The rest of our stay more or less followed the same format; it was far too cold to enjoy our balcony or the garden downstairs, and there wasn’t much in the way of a lobby to relax in, so our time at magdas was largely spent resting or getting ready for the day. Our interactions with the staff were always pleasant, but rare—the tucked-away front desk and lack of extensive lobby seating meant we didn’t really encounter magdas’ employees until checkout.
Like all good trips, our time in Vienna—and our time at magdas—came to an end far too soon. While my stay felt a little more transient than other boutique hotels, which are amenity-rich and beg travelers to linger over common areas (I suppose there is the bar, but most nights we returned past its 10:30 p.m. closing), it was also a perfectly adequate stay. Safe, clean, and equipped with just about everything we needed for our four nights, you’d be hard pressed to find as good of a value elsewhere in Vienna.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where is magdas HOTEL located?
You can find magdas in the 3rd District of Vienna at Ungargasse 38, 1030 Wien, Austria.
What time can I check in? And when do I need to check out?
Check-in begins at 3 p.m., and check-out is until 11:00 a.m. Arriving early or leaving late? Ask the staff at the reception desk, and they’ll be glad to hold your luggage for you.
Does the hotel offer parking?
Yes, guests can park for €16 per day in one of the hotel’s underground parking spaces on a first-come, first-served basis.
What is near the hotel?
You’ll find most conveniences within a ten-minute walk of the hotel, such as grocery stores, restaurants, and bakeries (there’s even a mall if you feel like shopping). Some personal favorites from this visit include Baristas United Coffee Shop (lovely espresso), Weinskandal (excellent wine shop featuring wines from Austria and beyond), Öfferl (pastries), and konzept : greissler (local and artisan foods).
As for the city’s sights and attractions, you’re quite close to Stadtpark and Belvedere Palace, both a short walk or tram ride away.
Is breakfast included?
No, breakfast is available for purchase separately at a rate of €19 per person (€34 per person for brunch on the weekends).
What types of rooms are available?
Find a room to fit just about everyone’s needs, from a classic single to a full-sized apartment.
Can I bring my pet?
No, sorry—four-legged family members are not allowed.
Can I host an event at the hotel?
Yep! The hotel offers two separate event rooms, the chapel, and the outdoor gardens. You can find out more about each space and submit your request to book here.
Are there any specials or discounts?
Yes—you can save on your stay with climate smart discounts or two-for-one deals on Sundays. Scroll on down the hotel’s home page to see what is currently on offer.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON STAYING AT MAGDAS HOTEL
As travelers, we are often faced with tough ethical decisions—for example, air travel is a notorious environmental offender and Airbnb rentals reduce the number of homes available to residents while driving up rent. It’s difficult to try to navigate the world with people and planet in mind, but I’m a big believer in doing what we can as individuals and making the best choice available.
Though it comes with some quirks and just a few small touches could make this a truly seamless stay, staying at magdas is an easy yes. We vote with our dollars, and this is one easy way to advocate for refugees and sustainable measures. I rarely stay at the same place twice, but I’ll be sure to check to see if magdas is available when I find myself in Vienna next.
While I always encourage readers to book directly with a hotel, I am aware that many travelers prefer to use third-party platforms. If you found this post helpful and would like to book through a third-party, would you consider booking through my affiliate link at Expedia, Priceline, Agoda, or Booking.com? It doesn't impact the price of your stay but generates a small commission so I can continue to bring you unsponsored reviews and run this site ad-free. Thank you for your support, it means the world to me!
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Questions for you
Which hotel offers your favorite toiletries?
Do you prefer to stay in the city center? Or in a residential area?
Ready to depart? Why not check out one of these posts next:
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- 20 Questions You Should Ask a Potential Travel Partner Before You Leave Home
- How I Approach Travel Differently in My Thirties
- All Travel Guides by Destination
- Checking In: Boutique Hotel Reviews
- Exclusive Promo Codes + Discounts
- Shop My Closet
