As the concluding part of our aurora chasing trip to Iceland and Tromsø, Norway, we found ourselves exploring the charming medieval city, Vienna. We spent a good full day touring the old town centre and taking in the baroque architecture. Our accommodation for the night was at Moxy Vienna Airport. As the name suggested, it was within walking distance from the city airport. It also maintained the design language of the Moxy brand with its funky light hearted touches.
Room Number: 113
Room Type: Twin Single
Bathroom: Shower / Vanity Counter space / Toilet
Room Amenities: Toiletries – Head and body wash, hair conditioner / Hair dryer / Power socket sufficient / Power socket (1 each by bedside) / Heater (Unknown / Working good – no)
Safety: Card access to guest room, but not room levels.
Staff: Friendly / English proficiency / Helpful / Presence
Neighbourhood: Fringe. Beside the airport. Within 10 minutes of walking via tunnel in the middle of the airport. Near supermarket (Billa).
Getting around: Train Station. City Airport Train in 16 minutes. Return tickets cost: EUR 5.80 (USD 6)
Arriving in Vienna and Finding Our Way to the Hotel
We had arrived late at night, after our Turkish Airlines from Istanbul touched down at around 10pm. After picking up our luggage, we scrambled across the open air car park in search of our hotel. Yes, we didn’t know there was an underground tunnel. So we had to endure the cold winter night, climb over barriers of the arrival driveway and lugged our suitcase across the huge car park, to reach the hotel which we could see right from the gates of Vienna Airport.
And hence, I repeat, there is an underground tunnel from Vienna International Airport to Moxy Vienna Airport. The entrance is right inside the building, at the international terminal. There was a long gradual ramp with a huge sign above the vast entrance. Therefore, it would be hard to miss it (but yup… we did). Using this tunnel would spare you the exposure to bad weather.
The tunnel also led to other buildings on the airport premises, like the other hotels, office buildings and the further reaches of the airport carpark. Right at the end of the tunnel was where it led to Moxy Vienna Airport.
Check in was at the desk outside of the hotel’s dining area. We were checked in promptly, and were soon off to our room at level 1.
Bedroom Overview
The room maintained the same design language we had seen in the hotel lobby. Other than the typical twin bed configuration that we see in most hotel chains, the most notable aspects were the lack of a wardrobe, suitcase rack, couch and coffee table, and the merger of the TV console and study desk. While the room was minimalist, it worked pretty well for an overnight stay in the ancient city of Vienna.
Room, Bed and View – Great for a Night’s Stay
Our twin beds fitted with thick and fluffy blankets, which made for very comfy sleep. We also got 2 very full pillows each. And considering that the heater of the room wasn’t exactly working well, it was a blessing to have such warm and comfy bedding!
Recall that we were beside the airport. Yet we weren’t bothered by the airplane’s roaring at all when the windows were closed. Additionally, no noise was heard from the corridor too. That goes to show how well the sound insulation of Moxy Vienna Airport was!
Our room overlooked the hotel courtyard, though there was nothing much to see over there.
Space – A Luxury in Moxy Vienna Airport
On the down side, horizontal space within the room was insufficient. The “desk” space beside the TV was a mere shelf. Beside it stood the collapsible suitcase rack which could only allow one suitcase to be opened. Thankfully, there was enough floor space for the second suitcase to be spread out.
We also had to use the window ledge and the headboards for other personal belongings. But I must say I had gotten quite used to having to use the window ledges in my past 2 weeks staying in European hotels.
As mentioned, there was no wardrobe. There wasn’t even a clothes rack. In their place were 3 wall hooks. This proved insufficient for all the clothes and towels we had to hang. While these wall pegs were aesthetic, I’m more of a function over form person, and would really trade aesthetics for functional furnishings in hotels.
Bathroom – Equally Cramped, and Terribly Designed
The bathroom came equipped with a shower, among the usual fittings like the toilet and vanity counter. That said, the allocation of space within the bathroom was mind boggling. The shower stall gave way to the long vanity counter. As such, I was always hitting the screen door with my elbows while showering in the cramped shower stall. The drain was also at the door, which made it very easy to kick into it or accidentally stop the flow by stepping in it. Yes, I was more afraid of kicking it, as having a dislodged nail was the last medical emergency I want right before my flight home!
On the contrary, the vanity counter space spanned the length of the bathroom. That provided enough space for personal toiletries. However, towels were stored under the sink – a big hygiene red flag for me. The towel rack was also directly above the toilet which was an equally unhygienic design choice. Adding to the list of woes was the weirdly positioned toilet roll. Whoever designed the toilet for Moxy Vienna Airport apparently hadn’t used one before.
Amenities and Service – Minimal Like a Budget Hotel
Moxy Vienna Airport offered 2 complimentary drinks for guests which could be redeemed at the bar on ground floor. We redeemed hot coffee for breakfast, which was from a self service counter beside the lift.
The breakfast place of Moxy Vienna Airport could also be found behind the hotel reception. It seemed like the reception staff also doubled up as the restaurant cashier. The open plan dining space looked airy. There was also a good selection of pastries and cold cuts. Generally “white man’s food”. As a Chinese, I was glad I didn’t spend 19 Euros on a breakfast add-on.
Location / Neighbourhood – Crowning Jewel of Moxy Vienna Airport
Moxy Vienna Airport was great for its proximity to the airport. The hotel was connected to the airport via an underground passage, so one would be spared from the elements when moving to and from the hotel.
Across an open car park was a decent sized supermarket. From there, we could buy water for hydration, as well as light food for an early morning flight. Despite being right beside an airport hotel, the supermarket was stocked up with grocery for a local. Yes, they weren’t filled with touristy, gimmicky sweets and souvenirs. As someone who enjoys shopping at supermarkets and experience the local lifestyle, the supermarket Billa was indeed a surprising touch to the stay.
Parting Words – Verdict on Moxy Vienna Airport
Overall, the stay at Moxy Vienna Airport was value for money, with its convenient location, comfortable beds, and cleanliness. The superb location more than compensated the tight spaces within the room. This is especially so when downtown is just a 16 minute ride away on the City Airport Train. Since the room was only for resting at night, the limited space was a none issue. If I ever had the opportunity to visit Vienna again, this would be the hotel of my choice.
Prior to coming to Vienna, I was on a week long tour around Iceland, which followed an aurora hunting trip to Tromsø. Do check those trip reports out. Till then, stay wanderlust!
All photos and videos were taken using Google Pixel 7 Pro, and edited with Google Photos.
