Hotel Das Weitzer

A century-old hotel in the heart of the Styrian capital of Graz sounds like a recipe for an old-fashioned stay, but even though Das Weitzer has been in the family for generations, it’s kept pace with the times. This section of town has transformed into a creative district — the “friendly alien” art museum is a short walk away — and as you pass through the doors of this elegant old grand hotel, you may be surprised at the contemporary interiors and the youthful atmosphere.

The rooms retain their century-old architecture, but the design spans the whole century, mixing parquet floors and ornate mirror frames with modern furniture and a minimalist, graphic sensibility. Visually sparse, they’re nevertheless full of tactile comfort, and some of them have very fine views of the old town and the Schloßberg, the mountain at the center of the city.

Der Steirer, the restaurant, presents a modern interpretation of the region’s classic cuisine, while the Kaffee Weitzer showcases the Austrian talent for cafés — it’s much more than a coffee bar. More unusual, though not at all unwelcome, is Blumeninsel, a full-service florist, keeping the hotel constantly supplied with fresh blooms.