What's New: An Online Update for Frommer's Austria

Vienna

Opening in June 2005 is the Austria Hotel Messe Wien, 2 Messestraße (tel. 01/727-270; www.austria-trend.at). Located directly across from the Messe Vien Neu, Vienna's premier fair and convention center, this hotel has a look all its own. The building is quickly becoming one of the most recognizable in Austria because of its rounded shape and ultra-modern architecture. There will be 243 rooms that will all feature French windows with a view of the fair ground. The top two levels of the hotel house 66 business rooms and two suites with views of the city.

A short walk from the Vienna State Opera House and the Imperial Hofburg Palace and located on the Ringtrasse is Le Meridien Vienna, 13 Opernring (tel. 800/543-4300; www.vienna.lemeridien.com), which has quickly shot to the forefront of all Viennese hotels. The 294 modern, minimalist-style rooms have lighted headboards and complimentary high-speed Internet access. Shambala, the hotel's bar and restaurant, is run by acclaimed French chef Michael Rostang. Café Boulevard, the hotel's other on-site restaurant, is the perfect place to appease your caffeine addiction before heading out into the city. The hotel is equipped with a fitness room, indoor pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, and solarium.

The Falkensteiner Hotel Am Schottenfeld, 74 Schottenfeldgasse (tel. 01/ 546-5181; www.falkensteiner.com), has opened and has almost instantly become a hit with the below thirty set. The design of the hotel is young, modern, and chic. The lighting seems to set the stage for every room in the hotel. From the colored lights in the lounge to the natural light in the meeting rooms, this hotel is definitely 20th century. The highlight of the 91 rooms, and 4 suites, has got to be the bathrooms. With marble floors, a basin-style sink, a large mirror, and a view, the bathrooms are the very picture of elegance. There is a sauna, solarium, Turkish bath, lounge, and a bistro in the hotel.

Vienna now boasts all new train services because of the unbearable amount of travelers from the airports to other cities in Europe. It now takes only sixteen minutes to get from downtown Vienna to the Vienna International Airport, half the time it would take if the commuters were still taking a taxi or a bus. The train runs every half hour daily from 5:37am to 11:36pm.

Werfen

Karl and Rudolf Obauer have been operating successful restaurants both in Austria and internationally for more years than either would care to mention. So, when they took over Obauer, 46 Market (tel. 01/646-852; www.obauer.com), people took notice. With a garden to enhance the beautiful mountain and ancient fortress backdrop, the view from the windows of Obauer is absolutely divine. The food isn't bad either. The cuisine strongly reflects regional tastes, making it popular with Werfen and Salzburger Land residents.

Tirol

You don't have to be a sports enthusiast to enjoy the relaxing yet luxurious four-star Brixen Sports Hotel, 13 Dorfstrasse at Brixen in Thale (tel. 53/348-191; www.sporthotel-brixen.at). This place has everything a guest could possibly want. There is an indoor and outdoor pool, a sun bank, a fitness corner, an indoor and outdoor Jacuzzi, a sauna, a steam bath, caldarium, bath treatments, cosmetics, massages, body wrappings, laconium, reiki, and much more. It's also a tennis player's heaven. The hotel has 13 outdoor courts, 5 indoor courts, a tennis simulator, and a tennis wall. Lessons are always available for guests who wish to improve their game or simply learn how to play.

Carinthia

Golfers grab your clubs because Carinthia is about to lure you in. The new Alpine golf card has turned this Austrian province into a bona fide golfland with 162 holes. Those holes are divided up among two 27-hole courses, five 18-hole courses, two 9-hole courses, and an abundance of driving ranges. The card costs €240 ($312) and allows the holder to play five courses in the Alpine Golf Alliance. Visit www.golf-alpin.at for further details.

Salzburg

Modern Art lovers have been flocking to Salzburg-Austria's new center for contemporary art. The pink building that houses the Museum der Moderne, 32 M¿nchberg (tel. 43/662-8422-20401; www.museumdermoderne.at), was designed by Friedrich Hoff Zwink and is itself a work of art. As you enter the building, an elevator will take you up 200 feet and into the museum. The opening exhibition is an ode to Austrian art with pieces by Gustav Klimt, Oskar Kokoschka, Valie Export, and Hubert Schmalix. There is a restaurant on site, M23, run by celebrated chef Sepp Schellhorn. The city's Baroque Old Heritage Town, can be viewed from M23.

Innsbruck

In a move to attract more tourists to Innsbruck, the city has come out with the new Innsbruck Card (www.innsbruck-tourismus.com). This card grants visitors access to all the sights, including 18 museums, all public transportation, and five of the mountain cableways. The price also allows for a visit to the Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens with transport on a shuttle bus specifically for cardholders. Free visits to the Alpine Zoo and Bergisel are also included. The card costs 23 euros ($29.90) for one day, 28 euros ($36.40) for two days, and 33 euros ($42.90). The card is half price for children under fifteen.

If you want to stay at a four star hotel in Innsbruck, try The Penz Hotel, 3 Adorf Pichler Platz (tel. 43 512 57 56 57-0; www.the-penz.com). This modern hotel is not loaded with out-of-room amenities; in fact, it really caters to commercial travelers. However, if you only need the basics, you can have a great stay here. When you arrive at the hotel there will be a welcome basket in the room, usually with fresh fruit. There are 96 rooms, all of which have air-conditioning, a minibar, television, a dataport, and a safe. The highlight of this hotel is the fifth floor, site of the American Bar. The view is spectacular and soft music plays while one sips on a drink.

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