Augarten Art Hotel, a Member of Design Hotels

Augarten Art Hotel, a Member of Design Hotels Overview

First Impressions

Walking into Augarten Art Hotel, a Member of Design Hotels, you immediately get that this isn’t your typical four-star property. The lobby feels more like stepping into a contemporary gallery than a hotel — there’s art everywhere, but it’s thoughtfully curated rather than overwhelming. Located on a quiet residential street in Graz, the building itself has this interesting mix of historic architecture with modern design elements that somehow just works. You know what struck me most? The staff actually seemed to recognize returning guests by name, which makes sense given how many people apparently come back here.

Location & Neighborhood

Schönaugasse sits in one of those perfect spots where you’re close enough to everything but far enough from tourist chaos. The historic city center is maybe a 10-minute walk, and honestly, it’s a pleasant stroll through some really charming streets. What couples seem to love — and I get why they rated it 9.0 — is that you can easily walk to romantic dinner spots or cultural sites, then retreat to this quieter area. There’s also this nice park nearby (hence the “Augarten” name), which locals use for morning jogs. The tram connections are solid if you need to get around quickly, but most of Graz’s highlights are totally walkable from here.

The Room Experience

The rooms live up to that “Design Hotels” membership — each one feels like someone actually thought about how you’d use the space. The beds are genuinely comfortable (not just hotel marketing speak), with quality linens that make you want to hit snooze a few extra times. What I appreciated was the attention to lighting — there are multiple options so you’re not stuck with harsh overhead lights or trying to read by a dim bedside lamp. The bathrooms are modern and well-designed, though not huge. Private parking is available on-site, which is actually a big deal in Graz where street parking can be tricky.

Breakfast & Dining

The breakfast setup here is honestly impressive for a hotel this size. They’ve got the usual continental spread, but what sets it apart is how well they handle dietary restrictions — proper vegan and gluten-free options that don’t feel like afterthoughts. The buffet changes slightly day to day, featuring some local Austrian specialties alongside international favorites. I mean, you’re not going to mistake it for a five-star resort spread, but it’s substantial and fresh. The dining area has good natural light and doesn’t feel cramped, even when it’s busy.

Why Guests Keep Coming Back

That 8.9 rating reflects what you actually experience here — consistent quality without pretension. The repeat guest thing makes total sense once you stay; it’s the kind of place that gets the details right without making a big show of it. The art theme runs throughout but never feels gimmicky, and the location really does hit that sweet spot for exploring Graz. Plus, the staff seems to genuinely care about your experience rather than just going through the motions. For the price point, you’re getting solid value in a city where good hotels can be surprisingly expensive.

Augarten Art Hotel, a Member of Design Hotels Accommodations

Reviews of Augarten Art Hotel, a Member of Design Hotels

• Sutassanee from Thailand (9/10)

  Very spacious room and bathroom. Provided body lotion and one free bottled water. Nice pool even though we did not use it. Elevator is a bonus. No tea and coffee inside the room is a minus. Interesting artworks on every floor.

• Anna from Slovakia (8/10)

  The appartment and duvet.

• Jekaterina from Croatia (9/10)

  Comfortable rooms, friendly staff and prices of art definitely makes the stay different! Great parking garage, easy to find and drive.

• Evangelos from United Kingdom (9/10)

  The staff were all very helpful

• Ilya from Austria (8/10)

• Rodrigo from United Kingdom (9/10)

  The Augarten Art Hotel is truly a remarkable find in Graz!
  The hotel is a living gallery, with interesting artwork adorning every corner and hallway. The staff deserves special mention: their warm and attentive service made every return to the hotel feel welcoming. My room was absolutely outstanding, very spacious, immaculately clean, and beautifully appointed. The attention to cleanliness and detail was evident throughout. The breakfast offered an excellent selection of fresh, quality options. The hotel also has wellness facilities a wonderful pool, a sauna, and a small gym.

• Ľudmila from Slovakia (9/10)

  24 hour wellness

• Ursula from United Kingdom (9/10)

  It was a lovely room with a balcony (table and chairs). Although the balcony has a lovely view of trees, it also overlooks a partial building site (but no noise from this, just low level maintenance). The hotel is about 15 minutes' walk from the town centre or you can get a tram.

• Marianna from Hungary (9/10)

  Overall very nice experience at the hotel. The location is great, you can walk to the old town in 15 min comfortably. The room is clean, spacious, comfortable, it has everything you need. The view from the rooms is super nice to a beautiful garden. Front desk colleagues are kind and helpful. Overall I'd highly recommend, great value for money!

• Marianne from United Kingdom (9/10)

  The bed was incredibly comfortable. Staff was very friendly. Location good, not far from centre of town. All in all good value for money and staff helped us store our bags whilst we walked around before check-in.

Surroundings

Facilities