In a short time, the Ascott Group made Vienna one of its main strongholds in Europe. After setting its first foothold in 2022 with Citadines South Vienna, three new establishments were added at the end of last year, a few weeks apart. Enough to almost rival London where the world leader in long-stay hotels has six urban residences, the Austrian capital nevertheless remaining behind Paris and its 17 sites.
However, Vienna can boast of one thing in the French capital: having had the first taste of two Ascott brands from Asia and set to soon develop in Europe . That is to say Somerset, but above all lyf , whose first European link was several months ahead of that expected at the end of the year in Paris, not far from Place Gambetta , while another lyf will see the light of day in Frankfurt from this summer.
For business travelers eager to discover these new offers, head to the new Ascott showroom and the Meidling district, in the 12th district of the Austrian capital. It is there, near Schönbrunn Palace and, even more so, the research center of the pharmaceutical giant Boehringer Ingelheim as well as the local headquarters of multinationals such as Dell and Microsoft, that the Singaporean group has established the figurehead of its two brands to complementary concepts.
While one, Somerset, focuses on long business stays and family trips with its spacious apartments, the other, lyf, targets travelers of the “next” generation , including nomadic professionals attracted by a coliving spirit. . Located in the same complex – the Somerset overlooking the street and the Lyf apartments behind, in two-story buildings – these two establishments reflect their different positions in their decor.
When the lobby of the Somerset Schönbrunn Vienna diffuses a soothing atmosphere around pastel seats, a green wall, a dominant soft green, the lyf changes to orange, to anthracite gray. A peppy design that extends onto the colorful walls of the small houses housing its 162 apartments, decorated with wall frescoes representing a cat, a palm leaf here or even a stylized bird.
In terms of equipment, the two to three-room apartments in Somerset are designed for long-term stays – for example expatriates waiting to find accommodation – with surfaces ranging from 40 to 72 m² and fitted kitchens, some of which incorporating a washing machine. In addition to a small bonus for most apartments, that of being extended by terraces. This is not the case for family penthouses, although travelers with children find other attractions there.
Designed in a loft style, these apartments are spread over two floors with, on the mezzanine, a large games room with teepee and mattresses where you can sleep close to your toys. Residents who do not opt for these accommodations can be reassured, their offspring will also be able to have fun at the kid’s club, one of Somerset’s strong points for attracting a family clientele.