Fodor's Expert Review SO/Vienna

Minimalist luxury can be a contradiction, but the SO/Vienna, a Sofitel hotel, has pulled it off with supreme elegance, and here, on the border of the 2nd District, it's paired with outstanding city skyline views. It's especially breathtaking on the 18th-floor restaurant, Das Loft, where floor-to-ceiling windows circle the dining room (and the excellent food matches the setting). At night, an art installation by Piplotti Rist provides one vivid dose of color and transforms the building into a beacon. Guest rooms in a monochromatic palate of white, black, or gray echo St. Stephen's Cathedral. The effect is clean and futuristic. Amenities include Bose sound systems, Hermès toiletries, and a full spa, all adding to the indulgence.