THE FACTS ABOUT DO & CO HOTEL

Austria Vienna

With its mirrored façade reflecting the Gothic grandeur and coloured roof tiles of St Stephan's Cathedral, Do & Co has a spectacular sense of place that few other hotels in Vienna could hope to match. Designed by local architectural luminary Hans Hollein, the 43-bedroom hotel occupies the upper floors of Haas House, a modern intrusion in the heart of historic Vienna. As Do & Co is an upmarket catering company, it is appropriate that the interiors are a stylish play on the luxury shopping experience. The split-level guestrooms, for example, are shaped like slices of Viennese chocolate torte and have boxes of delicately wrapped Demel chocolates on display. The sense of indulgence continues with a padded wall of piccalilli-yellow suede, deep sofas, and Etro toiletries in glass-box bathrooms (with teak louvres for discretion). Turkish owner Attila Dogudan has introduced a few Byzantine touches: soft kilim bedspreads, hand-worked, silver-effect Turkish coffee trays for bedside tables and coasters made from leather-bound kilim off-cuts. Do & Co made its name catering for British Airways First Class and the Formula 1 Grand Prix Paddock, so don't be put off by the doner kebab rotisserie in the top-floor restaurant: the eclectic menu makes for a sublime dinner. For a view accompanied by sashimi and cocktails, guests should join the glamorous Viennese crowd lounging on the low-slung furniture in the adjacent Onyx Bar. WHEN TO GO Book early for Vienna's Ball Season, in the first six weeks of the year. ROOM TO BOOK One of the two suites, which have fantastic views of the cathedral. CONTACT Stephansplatz 12, Vienna, Austria (00 43 1 24 188; www.doco.com). COST Doubles from 225 euros; suites from 650 euros