Austria’s second-largest city and the Styrian Capital, Graz, is a vibrant hub of arts and contemporary culture, showcasing 900 years of deep-rooted history. Renaissance, Gothic, and Baroque structures intertwine in this thriving metropolis, while a tremendous culinary scene and a student-fuelled nightlife give it a young and edgy vibe.
In Graz, you can begin your day in an artisan café in the Main Square, before heading up the towering Schlossberg to overlook the red-tiled rooftops of the Old Town, where you can pay a visit to the city’s most famous landmark, the clock tower.
Graz’s unique persona has earned it the coveted titles of European Cultural Capital and UNESCO City of Design. Its beauty is reflected in its stunning hotels, which range from arty boutiques to grand, architectural masterpieces. Here are the best cool and unusual hotels in Graz, Austria (in no particular order)...
1. Schlossberghotel – Das Kunsthotel – a gorgeous upscale hotel full of art, quirky details and Insta-worthy views
Schlossberghotel – Das Kunsthotel is brimming with boundless individuality through gorgeous, curated works of art and precious antiques.
Here, a strong tradition of craftmanship has continued over the centuries, and the result is a truly unique living experience topped with luxurious functionality.
Art and nature harmoniously unite on the stunning roof terrace, which offers jaw-dropping views over the Old Town rooftops and invites you to savour a varied breakfast under the sun.
The hotel’s wellness centre comes with a sauna, an infrared cabin, and a fitness room, while an outdoor pool on the roof terrace can also be enjoyed during the summer.
- To book, check prices or availability for Schlossberghotel – Das Kunsthotel
2. Aiola Living Graz – an elegant, trendy and unique eclectic boutique hotel perfect for Instagrammers
An elegant ambiance oozes through the interiors at Aiola Living. A blissful synthesis of colours, patterns, and artsy details brings a totally unique, hip vibe to the property, brimming with vivid contrasts
. Each guestroom is themed differently, yet they all share certain high-quality touches which include a large desk, a coffee maker, and bespoke artwork.
A dimly lit lighting system exudes an idiosyncratic mystique in the hotel, while cosy seating areas are dotted by little spotlights that ooze vibrancy and glamour.
For the evening, you can indulge in pan-Asian cuisine with a masterful touch, and take advantage of a bar stocked with trailblazing beverages.
- To book, check prices or availability for Aiola Living Graz
3. Hotel Daniel Graz – a hip, creative and Insta-worthy design hotel perfect for Millennials and Gen Zs
Here we have one of the focal points of the Graz creative scene. Situated on Europaplatz and towering over the pulsating city life, Hotel Daniel puts you within the main sights of the Styrian capital, with plenty of gourmet restaurants, artisan cafés and party hot spots in your immediate vicinity.
It is a property rooted in exquisite design and timeless aesthetics, and oozes sophistication in every corner of the property. At an affordable price point, guests can revel in an atmosphere of smart luxury, in a guestroom which surpasses all expectations of the word ‘cool’.
Each morning you can savour the best breakfast in all of Graz alongside locals and travellers.
- To book, check prices or availability for Hotel Daniel Graz
4. Kai 36 – Hotel zwischen Fels und Fluss – a boho-chic hotel with cosy communal areas, art-adorned walls and a blissful rooftop pool
A slick, modern hotel in the centre of Graz, Kai 36 offers a blissful rooftop pool on a terrace dotted by sun loungers. From this once-in-a-lifetime spot, you can sit in awe as you marvel over the city’s rooftops which are backdropped by soaring mountains.
The interior is dressed in a boho-chic style, with cosy boutique communal spaces topped with an elegant array of potted plants and natural hues.
As you wake up in your hip guestroom and peak over the scintillating urban views, you can get ready for a delicious spot of breakfast on-site, which includes timeless classics and internationally inspired dishes.
- To book, check prices or availability for Kai 36 – Hotel zwischen Fels und Fluss
5. NED Hotel – a hip, funky and fun hotel with extravagant art and colourful decor
A mysterious, shiny all-black façade greets you on arrival to NED Hotel, and welcomes you into a world of sleek, boutique luxury.
The marble-clad lobby is dotted by elegant furniture, oozing a sense of opulence which extends into the plant-lined restaurant. A lavish colour scheme of black and brown beautifully contrasts the touch of nature brought in by the potted plants.
The guestrooms, spacious and functional, are lit by beautifully shaped hanging lights, and feature comfy lounge areas as well as plush, king-sized beds.
An undertone of boho-chic radiates through the communal areas, where extravagant artwork and vivid colours reflect the property’s quirky atmosphere.
- To book, check prices or availability for NED Hotel
6. Grand Hôtel Wiesler – a gorgeous and elegant top-class historic hotel with trendy boutique-style rooms
Since 1909, Grand Hôtel Wiesler has been providing first-rate accommodation to cultural explorers and jetsetters, and has kept up with the times through constant re-adaptations.
The fresh, antique details around the property evoke a sense of ‘re-interpreted luxury’, and invite guests to step back in time and live the sophistication of the early 1900’s.
The boutique guestrooms are adorned with hand-painted Talavera washbasins from Mexico, guitars, typewriters, and cosy beds, offering a truly unique hospitality experience.
The hotel’s focus on internationality is reflected in the menu in the on-site Salon Marie, where your day begins with a charming breakfast surrounded by street art, and ends with fusion dishes and soul vinyl music.
- To book, check prices or availability for Grand Hôtel Wiesler
7. Motel One Graz – a fun, cool and retro-chic design hotel full of eccentric artwork and style
Situated in Jakominiplatz and perfectly connected to the city’s important sights, Motel One is a hub where a wide variety of travellers cavort.
The hotel’s beautiful turquoise design fits in beautifully with the surrounding area, which is graced by a colourful, charming atmosphere.
Eccentric artwork lends the hotel a retro theme, harmonizing elegantly with the modern, stylish elements of the enthralling communal spaces.
Here, you can kickstart your day with an expansive breakfast spread, and draw it to a close with a drink in the One Lounge or the bar, where you can mingle with creatives, business visionaries, and modern jetsetters.
- To book, check prices or availability for Motel One Graz
8. BoutiqueHotel Dom – Rooms & Suites – a historic romantic boutique hotel which combines gorgeous interiors, luxury and culture
Situated in the heart of the Old Town, BoutiqueHotel Dom is part of Graz’s illustrious history. As soon as you step out of the property you will be within lovely winding streets and squares that inspire discovery.
The Graz Opera House, the cathedral, and the castle are located within an arm’s reach! Inside the hotel you will find many historical details, including large windows, vaults, solid parquet floors, and high ceilings, elegantly juxtaposing a handful of exquisite furnishings that evoke a modern feel.
Each of the 29 rooms room has a storied past, and harmonizes modern amenities with stucco from a bygone era.
- To book, check prices or availability for BoutiqueHotel Dom – Rooms & Suites
9. Lendhotel – a cool, chic and unique hotel with quirky and fun artwork
This beautiful, modern masterpiece brings a boutique flair to the charismatic Lend district. Here, quirky artwork shares a nod to the eccentric style of the property, and fills the guestrooms with a unique charm.
The market next door inspires the team of first-rate chefs, who cook up a tremendous array of a la carte breakfast options. Lendhotel’s café is open all day for both guests and onlookers, and offers you seasonal creations along with Danish classics.
You can reenergize at the top-floor gym, which much like the roof terrace, is backdropped by 360° views of the city.
- To book, check prices or availability for Lendhotel
10. Augarten Art Hotel – a modern yet contemporary hotel housing beautiful sculptures and artwork
Contrasting the city’s architectural past, the steel-and-glass block that contains this eclectic, contemporary hotel oozes a modern spirit.
Inside, the white walls are brightened by dramatic paintings, while beautiful sculptures stand in the courtyard. 400 artworks suffuse the guestrooms, lobby, hallways, and even the garage, all belonging to a collection owned by Formula One motor racing guru Helmut Marko.
The guestrooms feature fresh, FairTrade flowers arranged by the hotel’s florist, and most units offer private balconies overlooking the surrounding vegetation.
Each morning, a typical Austrian breakfast buffet of organic produce is served on the patio, beside the fountain-cum-art installation at the Magnolia Restaurant.
- To book, check prices or availability for Augarten Art Hotel
11. Parkhotel Graz – Traditional Luxury – an Insta-worthy romantic upscale hotel which is classically designed
Shaped by a vivid symbiosis of tradition and luxury, Parkhotel has been serving guests for almost half a millennium. Here, classic combines with avant-garde, and relaxation combines with dynamism, grounded by a quaint, family feel.
The hotel houses The Florian a la carte restaurant, which serves an expansive menu of Styrian classics seasoned with a touch of internationalism, alongside many fine wines and crafted beverages.
After a day of exploring the beating heart of Graz outside your front door, you can return to the inhouse wellness oasis and be pampered with a heated pool, a Finnish bio sauna, and a well-equipped fitness area.
- To book, check prices or availability for Parkhotel Graz – Traditional Luxury
12. Minihotel Graz – a classically charming and romantic hotel with serene outside spaces
Minihotel is a charming abode situated a mere 15-minute walk from the centre of Graz, and 5-minutes from the Franciscan monastery.
Many of the city’s eclectic dining options are located in the immediate vicinity. The hotel is graced by a beautiful garden/terrace area which offers a serene, open-air ambiance in the evenings. Alternatively, you can kick back here during the day and soak up the sun.
The guestrooms overlook the garden and feature a kitchenette, ironing facilities, and a fridge. You can wake up each day to a leisurely breakfast in the on-site restaurant, before heading out on your urban adventures.
- To book, check prices or availability for Minihotel Graz
13. Hotel at home – a popular, modern and bright place to stay perfect for the modern traveller
Living up to its name, here we have a hotel which truly is a home from home. Set in a residential neighbourhood on the outskirts of Graz, a modern exterior welcomes you into a bright, open space sprinkled with sleek minimalism and modern functionality.
Dressed in all whites and softwoods, Hotel at Home is the perfect resting space for the modern jetsetter, and the state-of-the-art amenities on offer ooze comfort and elegance.
Each room is equipped with an ergonomic workstation, a flat-screen TV, and a luxurious bathroom, and on your way out you can take advantage of a fully stocked vending machine.
- To book, check prices or availability for Hotel at home
14. sHome Hotel Graz – a trendy and modern guesthouse featuring boutique and cosy rooms
Open since 2017, sHome is a lovingly furnished guesthouse located in the South of Graz. One of the city’s most important transport hubs, the Graz-Puntigam station, can be reached within a few minutes’ walk, and will take you to anywhere in the city with ease.
The guestrooms add a boutique flair to your city break, with potted plants, smooth décor, and a cosy colour scheme promoting a blissful night’s sleep. Each unit provides ultra-high-velocity Wi-Fi and flat-screen HDTVs which offer 100 programmes and a comprehensive Sky package
. In the morning, head down to the lobby to savour a rich buffet spread, where exquisite, regional ingredients are at the ready.
- To book, check prices or availability for sHome Hotel Graz
15. Hotel Restaurant – Häuserl im Wald Graz – a quiet and traditional historic chic hotel with landscaped gardens and cosy alcoves
Häuserl im Wald is adorned with cosy alcoves, parlours, and conservatories, and also offers an elegant and spacious terrace backdropped by landscaped gardens and rolling hills.
The on-site restaurant is a precious gem of Styrian gastronomy, and is graced by a quaint family environment. Here, the menu is adapted to the seasonal offerings of the area, forming traditional dishes infused with a regional flair.
After your hike around the many footpaths that frame the property, you can grab a coffee and a cake at the in-house pastry shop, or head to the intimate, well-stocked wine cellar.
The well-being of guests is catered to by the surrounding park, which boasts manicured footpaths, babbling brooks, and a beautiful forest pond.
- To book, check prices or availability for Hotel Restaurant – Häuserl im Wald Graz
16. Zur Steirerstub’n – a cute and quaint traditional guesthouse offering quirkily-styled rooms and comfy lounge areas
Backdropped by the stunning clock tower, this charming guesthouse is housed in a traditional Styrian home, contrasted beautifully on the inside by a fresh, boutique look.
Comfy lounge areas around the property invite travellers to kick back and unwind, and are dotted by thoughtfully positioned plants which bring in the essence of nature.
A standout feature of Zur Steirerstub’n is the in-house restaurant, where traditional home-cooked meals are served alongside award-winning fruit juices, fine wines, and craft beers.
A wide range of vegetarian and vegan dishes are provided here, and are topped with a first-rate, personalized service.
- To book, check prices or availability for Zur Steirerstub’n
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My first true adventure began as a six month voyage around South East Asia as a fresh faced backpacker and ever since I’ve lived a semi nomadic existence, clocking up visits to over 40 countries. I’m a lover of US Road Trips, deserted beaches bathed in warm glow of a sunset, Cuban mojitos, travel destinations far away from the tourist crowds and all things Scandinavian – from cloudberry liquors to Nordic noirs. When not wandering the world and running Global Grasshopper, you’ll find me walking my rescued Greek street dog in leafy South West London, strolling around the Brighton Lanes on random day trips, hunting for photogenic landscapes or daydreaming about my favourite places; Havana, Copenhagen, Italy, Laos, California and the surreally beautiful landscapes of a wintry Iceland.