Review of Das Triest, by Jamie Dunford Wood

In the heart of all of the pomp and swagger of Vienna is a sleek and shiny hotel that provides a welcome contemporary fix. Block-colour walls and bright clean lines set the tone, along with black-clothed and Puma-shod staff. The Das Triest is not without its sumptuous touches though, like expensive flower arrangements, swanky toiletries and bowls of apples piled up on the reception desk.

Das Triest is certainly clean, bright and stylish. It has the feel of an upmarket luxury hotel chain. It's evidently a 'happening' place, with plenty of buzz and rock star kudos. The wonderful garden courtyard, barbeque area and restaurant are, as one would expect, a triumph - great public spaces.

Black and white photos of the staff adorn the walls. Service-wise there is a great team/family spirit about the Das Triest. Terence Conran has not been able to resist scattering signatures about the place. In this case a single fresh flower in every bathroom, and a ship theme runs through this luxury hotel (Trieste - sea port - geddit?) with portholes in doors, flags, railings etc.

The 72 bedrooms and suites carry through the same haute-design atmosphere as the public spaces. Details are well chosen including Italian desk lamps and CP Hart taps. The branded tops of which (Hot and cold) can be unscrewed and disappear in their hundreds every year. So the next time you see someone sporting them as cufflinks ask them what they thought of the Das Triest.

The bedrooms are light and generous with space, the best being on the top floor, with their own large sit-out balconies and views, or those with access to the first floor roof garden. Room 113 for example boasts seven windows.