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If you are visiting Graz, you probably know that this UNESCO World Heritage City in Austria is an architectural find. Sure, Vienna and Salzburg have wider name recognition, but the city of Graz is less touristy and is also a UNESCO City of Design. If you appreciate art and well designed buildings, you’ll be delighted with Lend Hotel. The four star urban hotel opened in 2017 and is now a popular anchor in the Lendplatz area to both locals and visitors.
You’ll pick up on the modern art vibe as soon as you step into the five story hotel. Notice the paper origami artwork on the wall to the left of the hotel entrance.
Like a well curated art museum, the Lend Hotel features clean, modern hotel rooms. The pricing is straight forward with three different room categories; large, medium and standard. If you want maximum room space, some with kitchenettes or a large balcony, you’ll want to select the large category, while standard is the most basic of rooms. All rooms include king-size beds, wooden parquet floors, modern art, a writing space/desk area, chair, flatscreen televisions and complimentary WiFi.
As mentioned, art is a main feature of Lend Hotel. Owner Dr. Helmut Marko may be known for his connection to Formula 1 racing, but his art collection is impressive. Contemporary art graces most every available wall space at Lend Hotel, from the lobby, to stairwells and hallways. There is an elevator in the hotel, but trust me, you’ll want to spend time taking the stairs to and from your room.
If you prefer the elevator to stairs, you’ll still be able to experience the art gallery effect simply by cruising each hotel room floor. And as a new hotel should be energy efficient, the lights only come on when one sets foot in the hallway. Note the name of the art on display, as well as the artist neatly written next to each piece of modern art. There’s also a unique collection of chairs on several floors of the hotel.
I truly can’t explain the cow statue, prominently placed in the hallway of my first floor hotel room, but he was a well dressed cow. Did I mention that the hotel is pet-friendly? Dog’s are allowed for an additional fee. Cows are not allowed.
Moving on to dining at Lend Hotel. The restaurant on the ground floor offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, with the bar open evening hours. I didn’t eat dinner at the hotel, but the lunch scene was buzzing with locals. Pulled pork appears to be a favorite and there’s always a cookie jar filled with fresh baked cookies.
For breakfast, guests have several options. Breakfast may be ordered a la carte or purchased with a hotel package. I selected the buffet breakfast with an egg dish. The breakfast buffet included fresh fruit, multiple types of yogurt, several cereals, meats, cheeses, bread and rolls. Like all of my dining experiences in Austria, there was plenty of STRONG fresh coffee and fruit juice.
Hotel rates start at 94 euros to 174 euros depending on the season. Always check the website for special prices and extended stay packages. You can also go to an OTA such as Expedia or Travelocity to check for lower rates.
Graz Austria hotel review and all photography supplied by San Francisco-based travel writer Nancy D. Brown. Nancy was a guest of Graz Tourism while working on additional editorial projects, however all opinions are her own.
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