S

ure, in some ways, Vienna is among the most traditional of cities. But it’s often against a backdrop of entrenched conservatism that the most radical experiments take flight. Like its sister, the Graetzlhotel Belvedere, the Graetzlhotel Karmelitermarkt’s suites are made from disused storefronts, in this case near the Karmelitermarkt, an open-air market just to the northeast of Vienna’s city center. And like its sisters — there’s also the Meidlinger Markt — it’s a relatively low-maintenance, high-independence affair, an effort by the Urbanauts group to allow visitors to live, to the greatest possible extent, like Viennese locals.

It’s the perfect answer to the apartment-sharing economy, an upgrade in terms of design, service, and professionalism, but without sacrificing the autonomy and privacy of apartment life. You’ll pick up your key using a code from a centralized safe, you’ll show yourself to your suite, and from there you’re on your own to explore the shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions of the city’s old Jewish quarter. From here it’s a quick hop across the river to the center of town, for a more typical tourist experience — and then at the end of the day it’s back to your smart, stylish, and eminently comfortable storefront suite for the night. Maybe not one for the butlers-and-room-service set, but for the rest of us it hits just the right note.