It’s no surprise at all anymore to find a slick, modern, loft-style boutique hotel somewhere like Stockholm or Berlin. And at this point, to find a hotel like the Augarten in a place like Graz isn’t terribly surprising either — but the fact that contemporary hotels like this one have spread beyond the world’s style centers is just a satisfying sign of the times that we’re living in.
The glass and metal structure is right in tune with the wave of modern building that’s sweeping through this Gothic and Baroque town, and the interiors are as sophisticated as can be, all pared-down modern forms and unapologetic primary colors. For the rooms, think space-age urban bachelor pad: hardwood floors, sleek modern fixtures and furnishings, and plenty of light spilling in through floor-to-ceiling office-block windows, and views from balconies or terraces.
Facilities include an indoor pool, a sauna and fitness center, and a roof terrace with views over the city of Graz and the forested rolling hills beyond. The hotel restaurant serves Mediterranean-inspired cuisine (there’s plenty of trad Austrian fare out there in the city) and the location is just a five-minute walk from the city center and the picturesque old town.
author Daily Tablet Hotel, source www.tablethotels.com