Gasthaus Hinterbruhl

The cozy 12-room Gasthaus Hinterbruhl—housed in a tower from the original 14th-century Altstadt wall—captures the vibe of a genuine "inn" without feeling contrived. Given the prime location, friendly, family-run atmosphere and excellent rates, these basic, cheery rooms are a great value.

Roughness is part of the charm. There's no elevator at Hinterbrühl, but there's also no fuss—you pick up your keys at the bar and cross the hall to find your room. Want wake-up service? Expect a hearty knock on your door from the owner.

Irregularly shaped rooms have low ceilings and are outfitted with basic, plain bedspreads and gauzy curtains; a few have awesome Astroturf-covered balconies overlooking Kajetanerplatz. The furniture is made of pine, and the flowers are fake. All rooms have a TV, sink and shared bathroom facilities. The larger rooms have showers.

There's a classic Stube (pub) restaurant on the first floor complete with antlers, rifles and oil paintings mounted proudly on the walls. In the summer there's a garden where diners can soak up the vibe of Kajetanerplatz.

As these are some of the lowest-priced rooms to be found in the Altstadt, be sure to book early—especially in summer—since the low rates stay the same all year-round.

Breakfast is included.