In a short space of time, the Ascott group has made Vienna one of its main strongholds in Europe. After setting foot here for the first time in 2022 with the Citadines South Vienna, three new establishments were added at the end of last year, just a few weeks apart. Almost enough to rival London, where the world leader in extended-stay hotels has six city residences, although the Austrian capital still lags behind Paris and its 17 sites.
However, Vienna can be proud of one thing in the French capital: having been the first to discover two Ascott brands from Asia, which will soon be expanding in Europe.. That is to say Somerset, but above all LyfThe first European link in the chain is several months ahead of the one expected at the end of the year in Paris, not far from Place Gambettawhile another lyf will be built at Frankfurt this summer.
For business travellers eager to discover these new offers, go to the new Ascott showroom and the Meidling district, in the 12th arrondissement of the Austrian capital. It is here, close to Schönbrunn Palace and, more importantly, to the research centre of pharmaceutical giant Boehringer Ingelheim and the local headquarters of multinationals such as Dell and Microsoft, that the Singaporean group has established the figurehead of its two brands with complementary concepts.
While one, Somerset, focuses on long business stays and family trips with its spacious flats, the other, lyf, targets next generation" travellersThe two establishments are located in the same complex - the Somerset overlooking the street and the Lyf apartments behind it in two-storey buildings. Located in the same complex - the Somerset overlooking the street and the Lyf flats behind it, in two-storey buildings - these two establishments reflect their different positions in their décor.
While the lobby of the Somerset Schönbrunn Vienna radiates a soothing atmosphere with pastel-coloured seating, a wall of greenery and a soft green theme, the lyf turns to orange and charcoal grey. A peppy design that continues on the coloured walls the small houses housing its 162 flats, decorated with murals depicting a cat, a palm leaf or a stylised bird.
Ascott plays on complementarities
In terms of facilities, the two- to three-room flats in Somerset are designed for long stays - The apartments range in size from 40 to 72 m², with fitted kitchens, some with washing machines. Most of the flats have the added bonus of terraces. This is not the case for the family penthouses, which have other attractions for travellers with children.
These loft-style flats are arranged over two floors with a mezzanine, a large games room with a teepee and mattress where they can sleep as close as possible to their toys. Residents who don't opt for this type of accommodation can rest assured that their offspring will also be able to have fun at the kid's club, one of Somerset's key attractions for families.
While digital nomads may seem like big kids to some, they will find more age-appropriate entertainment at the lyf in the 'Play' games room. These include two pool tables and a huge table football table with 8 handles on each side. Around this, colourful alcoves where you can sit and work or dinner between residents. One of the special features of this Ascott brand, which differs from the classic long-stay model, is that the flats do not have a fully-equipped kitchen.
Hence the idea of coliving, with travellers having access to the shared Bond kitchen to prepare their meals. Lunches and dinners can be taken on the neighbouring terrace in fine weather. This idea of community also translates into a coworking spaceThere is also a launderette where guests can chat while waiting for their laundry to dry. At the same time, for larger meetings, the lyf Schönbrunn Vienna will soon have a meeting room that can accommodate 80 people.
Although everything invites residents to leave their flats, they are nonetheless welcoming and perfectly laid out for short or medium-term stays. And that's thanks to their layout, with a mezzanine bed giving free access to the bedrooms. plenty of room for the living-dining area. In addition to a variety of storage units, each flat has a connected television that acts as a mirror when it's switched off, and the screen can project an open fire on demand to create a cosy atmosphere in winter. Another technological aspect is the absence of keys, replaced by codes at the entrance to the room and the residence.
Although the concepts of Somerset and lyf differ in almost every way, both establishments have things in commonThese include coffee machines in both lobbies, as well as a bar and an Italian cuisine restaurant, Don't Call It Pizza, both of which are open to outside customers. Another point in common, of course, is their location, with a bus and tram stop right opposite the establishments from which guests can reach Schönbrunn Palace and the historic heart of Vienna in just 20 minutes.
A second Citadines in Vienna
Public transport also makes it easy to get to the Ascott group's other new establishment, the Citadines Danube Vienna, also located opposite a metro stop on line U1, in this case Kagran. Opened last December, the aparthotel is located in the heart of the city. a new neighbourhood under developmentVienna 22, adjoining the Donau City business district and the Austria Center Vienna congress centre. An ideal location for business trips, especially as this Citadines will soon have as its neighbour what will be one of the tallest office towers in Austria when it is completed in 2026.
Meanwhile, business travellers can enjoy a contemporary setting designed by the architects at Vienna Interiors. In line with the sustainable dimension of its building - which is pre-certified LEED and ÖGNI DGNB and whose energy system is powered by 100 % of green electricity - the aparthotel plays on design inspired by natureThis is the perfect setting for a new home, with hanging plants, landscape wallpaper, parquet flooring and Alpine oak furniture.
Its 12 floors house 223 studios and flats with one or two bedrooms, including around twenty classic rooms without kitchenettes for guests staying for one or two nights. For the rest, the flats all have a fully-equipped kitchen and convertible furniture so you can sleep as you wish. transforming space into a place to work or live according to travellers' needs.
Life at the hotel is centred around the 12th and top floor, with a fitness room and a laundry area whose machines are controlled remotely by an app. Business travellers will also find two meeting rooms 33 m², which can be combined into one, as well as a business corner and confidential work bubbles. This is also the floor where the breakfast room is located. From 4pm in the evening, it becomes a bar with a panoramic view over Vienna, extended by a 170 m² terrace. A place to contemplate the Old Danube as it flows by.
