Ruby Sofie Hotel Vienna by IHG

Ruby Sofie may be surrounded by peaceful streets and historic architecture, but the city's main sights are a short stroll away. Originally built as a bathhouse, Ruby Sofie was set for a life of lather, rinse, repeat. Thanks to her excellent acoustics though, she was soon transformed into a beautiful ballroom. In the cosy bar, the music lives on, in the form of gigs by local bands. Drop by for a cocktail or bring your friends and grab a beer. And when it's time to unwind, each room is a haven of Lean Luxury calm, designed with serious sleep in mind. Blending tranquillity with great transport links, Sofie's an eight-minute walk from Wien Mitte station, just across the river from the landmarks of the Ringstrasse. Ruby Sofie began life as the Sofiensäle, a 19th-century bathhouse whose remarkable acoustics soon turned showers into concerts and gala balls, hosting everyone from Johann Strauss to the Kinks. Today, her design blends vintage furnishings and antique playbills with statement spotlights and a show-stopping piano.