Pension Neuer Markt

Housed in a stately turn-of-the-century building at one end of Neuer Markt square, just a block from the chain stores and gawking crowds of the Kartnerstrasse, the Pension Neuer Markt offers straightforward rooms at sometimes budget-friendly, sometimes pricey rates.

The 37-room pension is very close to Vienna's biggest tourist spots, just five minutes from the Opera and Stephansdom. The location has served as a pension since the 1920s. It became the Neuer Markt about 60 years ago. The pension's interior is similar to the no-frills style of Dr. Geissler. This isn't all that surprising; the two hotels share an owner. Neuer Markt isn't quite as homey as Dr. Geissler. Think of it as the more mature older sister of the two.

Unlike the rather dreary lobby, the rooms get quite a bit of natural light from the courtyard or the Seilergasse. The furnishings, a bit tired for our taste, include more pink chairs and couches than one might perhaps choose to have at home, through the garishness factor is tempered by large oriental rugs and hanging plants. The doubles are a little tight, though some bathrooms are large enough to accommodate bathtubs, with, you guessed it, plenty of pink marble. Rooms have small cable TVs.

Rates are a bit high for doubles with a bathroom and shower, considering the amenities, but the singles and doubles with shared toilets represent a real bargain for the area.