The Ritz-Carlton, Vienna

"The Ritz-Carlton, Vienna is a hallmark of old-school sophistication, tinged with a fresh, forward-facing approach to service and design. Located on a stretch of Ringstrasse (the road circling the city's Old Town) directly across from the Stadtpark, the hotel is under 20 minutes from major attractions like the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the State Opera House, and Tiergarten Schönbrunn, the world's oldest zoo. Reserve the Presidential Suite, the most luxurious at the hotel: it sports a nineteenth-century charm and a contemporary interior, all packed into 2,045-square-feet. But if you can’t swing for the Presidential Suite, the Premium rooms are your best bet. Clocking in at around 537-square-feet—an already generous space, without figuring the absurdly high ceilings into the equation—rooms tend toward classic, with a modern twist, where sobering wall colors and long, slender curtains stand in subtle contrast with patterned bedspreads and flashes of contemporary artwork. Check out the rest of the digs, including a marble bathroom with a tub and shower (the latter sports a rainforest shower head), and hit the 60-foot indoor heated pool. Additional perks include international newspaper offerings, free Wi-Fi, and a complimentary shoe shine. Up on the eighth floor, Atmosphere Rooftop Bar overlooks the city, but make sure to go in the summer, when you can toss back a cocktail while a DJ spins sets on a warm night. If you prefer your drink with a dungeon-vibe, head to D-Bar, a spot within sight of the Ringstrasse that serves drinks from a master mixologist, and more than 40 rums (plus a lax smoking policy). Dstrikt, the on-site steakhouse, is a clean, cool experience filled with farm-to-table fare."