Once known as a red light district, Lendplatz is now home to cool shops, gourmet restaurants and is where the hip and fashionable crowd hang out in Graz, Austria. This area has the weekly Lend Farmers Market and is home to the ultra urban Lend Hotel. Only a 15 minute walk from the old town and Schlossberg, Lend Hotel is a new, modern hotel where art takes center stage.
Opened in April 2017 by Dr. Helmut Marko, Motorsport Director of Formula 1 racing team, you’ll see a hint of the race car business, but his art collection is the stand out at the hotel. Modern art graces the walls of the five story hotel’s steel staircase. Each of the five floors of the hotel is like an art gallery, only with no admission fee.
I confess that I took the stairs instead of the elevator simply to admire the works of art on display at the hotel.
Hotel rooms:
The urban Lend Hotel in Graz features three hotel categories; standard, medium and large. I stayed in a standard room, #103. Medium and large rooms are obviously larger, with some featuring kitchenettes, ideal for families.
The 53 room Lend Hotel is a Lifestyle Hotel member and considers room 407 to be its best room, including a large balcony. If you want an even better view, head to the rooftop terrace to take in the 360 degree view of Graz.
Hotel dining:
The kitchen and bar are open to hotel guests and Graz residents. If you want to do Graz like a local, you can visit the Lend Farmers Market or stop at the hotel and let the chef prepare a meal for you using the fresh fruits and vegetables from the farmers market.
The Lend Breakfast is served from 6:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., later on the weekends. Breakfast ranges from 3 euros to 13 euros and includes a hot beverage, orange juice, egg dish, ham, cheese, yogurt, pastry and fruit. For lunch or dinner, try the pulled pork on house made bread or a fresh and healthy quinoa bowl.
The bar offers a seasonal happy hour.
Need to know:
Room sizes are standard, medium and large. Rates start at 95 to 174 euros per night, excluding breakfast and city tax. Medium rooms range from 114-154 euros. Large rooms (some with kitchenettes) range from 134-174 euros.
Hotel rates fluctuate regarding availability. Check the website for current prices and specials.
Lend Hotel is pet-friendly and charges 10 euro per pet, per night.
The hotel has a partnership with parking across the street for 14 euro per night. If you fly into the small Graz airport you can take a taxi to the hotel. If you arrive via train, the hotel is close to the train station. By the way, you won’t need a car when you visit Graz. The city center is car free and it is a very walkable city.
Room service is available 24 hours daily for an additional 3.50 euro per person.
The hotel has a gym located on the 5th floor with awesome views.
Check in: 2:00 p.m.
Check out: 11:00 a.m
Insider Tips:
Room 407, with its large balcony, is the best room in the hotel. The contemporary art collection on display throughout the hotel comes from Dr. Helmut Marko. The name of the artist is noted on the wall next to the painting. For additional insider tips follow luxury travel writer @Nancydbrown on Twitter or Instagram @Nancydbrown and Lendhotel on Instagram.
If You Go:
Lend Hotel +43 316 71 70 00
Grüne Gasse 2
8020 Graz
Austria
Urban Lend Hotel in Graz, Austria hotel review, YouTube video and all photography by travel writer Nancy D. Brown. As is typical in the industry, I received a media rate during my stay, however, all opinions are my own.