Vienna Hotel Tips by themajor

The KVU claims to be Vienna's oldest hotel...but worry not, that's 'old' as in ancient and dignified rather than crumbly and careworn! The building is some 300 years old and its enjoyed life as an hostelry since 1815. With only 33 rooms and no sign of a swimming pool, health club or whizzo internet suite, it is - as they say - small but perfectly formed. At a price considerably less than the more opulent Imperial or Sacher, the KVU provides a more personal feel for those who appreciate it. For example, when I was unable to identify a piece of music I heard playing on my radio at 11.40pm, the front desk duly tuned in, identified the station and telephoned them for the details of the artist and track they's been playing...and, by jove, I now have the Herbert Gronemeyer CD to prove it!

The restaurant has an excellent reputation and the bar in the atrium serves coffees, snacks and non-alcoholic cocktails along with more alcoholic attractions. Buffet breakfasts are splendid...and you know, you really should 'go continental' with delicious meats, breads cheeses and gugelhupf (a suitable cake for brekky!) rather than going for the old bacon/ham and eggs!

We had a different splendid family apartment for each of our two trips to the KVU. Super bathroom, lovely bedrooms - though it was one of our children who got the canopied single bed! I was almost tempted to give up the missus and the double! Handmade choclates magically appeared in our room each evening too.

One thing you can't beat is the hotel's location. A stone's throw from St Stephen's cathedral, two minutes stroll (literally) from a major underground station, adjacent to Vienna's swishest shopping streets and yet it still boasts a pretty quiet location. I wouldn't have gone back if it wasn't a lovely place to stay! Worth treating yourself and it's not featured in brochures yet!

Unique Qualities: Traditional style and elegance - small but delightful - almost impossible to get lost,(just scour the skyline for the cathedral spire and head towards it! ) - unbeatable location!

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$180 and up  » Currency Converter
Phone: +43/1/515 84-0
Address: Schulerstrasse 10, , Vienna, Bundesland Wien 1010
Directions: The centre of the centre!
Website: www.kvu.at

A cut above the normal tourist class hotel in Vienna, the K&KMT has a modern interior and is great value for money. Although not dead centre, it is well situated a short walk from the Inner Ring, just behind the Natural History museum and Museums Quartier. With nice clean and comfortable rooms, lovely buffet breakfast and a bar ( 'er...not for breakfast though! ), It's in a pleasant part of the city and well situated for Christmas travellers who want to fall out of bed and head for the Spittelburg Market - which is, in my opinion is one of the very nicest. Plenty of tram/underground stops nearby for those wishing to go further afield.

The lack of a restaurant might prove a bit of a bind for those disinclined to go walking at night but the bar does serve hot snacks. In any case there are plenty of decent places where you can dine nearby. All in all a good choice in the middle range, and in the past there have been occasional 4 for 3 nights type bargains to be had! A good safe choice.


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Phone: 43-1-52123-0
Address: Kirchbergasse 6 8 1070 Vienna Austria
Directions: Stroll a short way behind the Naturhistorisches Museum and the Museumsquartier and you're there!
Website: www.kuk.at

It's been a litle while now since I stayed at the Astoria but I'm pretty sure that my feelings about the place are still relevant. The situation of the hotel is splendidly central, 'though being smack on top of Karntnerstrasse is perhaps a little too much of a good thing when you want your window open in Summer and there are bustling crowds just below.

Two words would sum up the Astoria for me 'faded grandeur'. She is a splendid old dame starting to show her age. The reception area is rather lovely and comes as a nice surprise after the low key entrance to the hotel. My bedroom was large but not especially well appointed, and looking a little, 'er, jaded.

Breakfasts were good and the breakfast room itself is attractively sat out in traditional style. The bar used to serve immense jugs of hot chocolate and cream in the evening - some of the best I'd tasted and a marvellous non-alcoholic pick-me-up after a hard days walking (the fact that I'd already consumed at least three cups during the day is neither here nor there!).

So to sum up - pretty good but arguably not as good as it should be or thinks it is! In need of some tlc...but by the time you read this, it might be getting it?


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: most expensive
Prices: US$180 and up  » Currency Converter
Phone: +43 (1) 515 77
Address: KARNTNERSTRASSE 32-34
Directions: Good central location...albeit adjacent to one of the busiest streets.
Website: ww.austria-trend.at

Well, let me be honest from the outset. Although I've stayed at all of the hotels mentioned to date, I have yet to stay at Le Meridien. I've looked at it, been in it, listened to those who've stayed in it and, yes, I think I can offer an opinion worth reading.

Firstly it looks marvellously stylish - hardly surprising because this hotel was specifically created to appeal to those who worship at the altar of the modern and stylish... some might find it's efforts to do so a little overpowering but you can't deny that looks splendid? Le Meridien is 'hot' because it is hardly a year old, the management are obviously trying very hard to please and it's currently 'cool' to stay there. Restaurant, gym, swimming pool, internet..it's all here. The hotel is situated a stones throw from the Opera on the Opernring itself - a good central location with the tram and underground system literally outside the front door.

People who've stayed there are full of praise but there seems to be a little problem with the design of the showers...apparently they look wonderful but are inclined to flood into your room unless barricaded with towels...oh, and the glass fronted toilets aren't to everyones taste! I was also intrigued to hear that people also enthuse about the giant plasma screen televisions in the rooms. Perhaps it's me but I thought one travelled to see the world not watch television in it?

For all that, Le Meridien is on a roll! I think you'd be hard pushed not to enjoy your stay there but it's not perhaps a choice for those who enjoy their comforts in more traditional surroundings. For those people, hotels like the Imperial, Sacher and Konig von Ungarn will still remain a better bet.

Unique Qualities: Modern and chic...but there are still deals to be had!

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: most expensive
Prices: US$180 and up  » Currency Converter
Address: Opernring 13-15
Website: www.lemeridien.com/austria/vienna-at1806.shtml

If you ask anyone in Vienna to name the best hotel in the city, you are more than likely to hear two names proferred; and although the Sacher will almost certainly get a mention it'll be the Imperial that ultimately rules the roost. For it's position on the Ringstrasse is matched only by it's position in high society. If you're a Head of State, Chairman of the Board or Top of the Pops then the Imperial will be where you'll book a suite.

Why do people love it? Because it's grand, magnificent, snobbish, ostentatious. Why do some people hate it? Because it's grand, magnificent etc etc. Basically if you want old world charm on a grand scale and a doorman who will run towards you with an umbrella if it rains then this is for you. Low key and cosy..then probably not! Of course this does come at a price, and not a price all of us can afford! However if you are celebrating a Golden Anniversary or embarking upon a delightfully Dangerous Liason it will undoubtedly be worth the money. Then again, if you pop into their cafe for a coffee and a slice of the delightful Imperial torte, it does work out slightly cheaper...just!

Unique Qualities: Imperiously Imperial! A palace that became an hotel. The perfect antidote to baseball cap hell!!

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: most expensive
Prices: US$180 and up  » Currency Converter
Phone: (43) (1) 501100
Address: Karntner Ring 16, Vienna 1015
Directions: Everybody will know where it is and taxi drivers will be delighted to pick up any guest who can afford to stay there...
U-bahn Karlsplatz
Website: www.starwoodhotels.com

Here we have another splendid establishment. One of those hotels where you get a thrill simply by going in and out. It has a splendidly impressive foyer, a surprisingly affordable and delightful bar/café, and public toilets that must rate amongst the very best in Vienna. No, really. You feel honoured end pampered each time you wash your hands! It's hard to do 'em justice but I wouldn't be surprised if they were originally designed as a mausoleum for a wealthy plumber. Sadly, I cannot speak for the 'Ladies' but I look forward to your reports...

I did enquire about staying here at one point but paused for thought when I realised that the additional charge for breakfast (£20 +) was approaching the sort of money one might pay for a nice lunch. A room alone will cost a minimum of £250 so you have to be either very wealthy...wealthy...or living off your expense accounts to consider staying here. As befits a Japanese owned property it does boast an excellent Japanese restaurant.

One could criticise by saying that the hotel is perhaps caverous rather than cosy in feel but at Christmas this is used to advantage when it has a fir ree that literally reaches up to the first floor gallery and beyond. Quite beautiful.

I know people who have stayed here, enjoyed it - not worrying about the cost helps! - but why not sample the Grand's style rather more cheaply but opting for the light lunch and a trip to those luxurious loos?!

Unique Qualities: Good location - GRAND Christmas tree!

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: most expensive
Prices: US$180 and up  » Currency Converter
Phone: + 43 1 515 80 0
Address: Kaerntner Ring 9, 1010 Vienna
Directions: A short trot from the Opera House, around the inner ring and near the Imperial hotel. Can't miss it!
Website: www.grandhotelwien.com
Other Contact: reservation@grandhotelwien.com

There's little doubt that anyone looking for a romantic place to stay will feel that their expectations met as soon as they clap eyes on this delightful little hotel. It may have been some years since you last had the opportunity to wolf down a slice of wedding cake but book a stay at the Römischer Kaiser and you'll feel as if you've been baked inside one! Stay at the RK and you'll be living inside a pink icing palace! In fact the building was indeed a palace, built for the Imperial Chancellor way back in 1864.

The location of the hotel is superbly central but being just off Karntnerstrasse it isn't as manically busy and noisy as you might fear. All the reports I've heard wax lyrical about it. Breakfasts are first rate (there is no restaurant as such, simply a breakfast room and snack bar) and best of all, for those of us fit and brave enough (and that wont include me!), they hire out bicycles. That's the sort of forward thinking city hotels should be applauded for - so well done Römischer Kaiser!

Oh, and I ought to remind everyone to keep a look out for offers, as the RK is part of the Best Western hotel group!

Unique Qualities: An ideal hotel for confectionary chefs! You can put on pounds just looking at it!!

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: most expensive
Prices: US$180 and up  » Currency Converter
Phone: 43-1-51277510
Address: Annagasse 16, 1010 Vienna
Directions: A stones throw from Vienna's main shopping street...but don't throw stones there!
Website: http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=89023

The Ambassador has long been on my list of places to say. When I first saw it a good few years back it was certainly impressive - a Grande Dame who had seen better days but who had a sense of style that wouldn't go away. Since then, the 'noble rot' has long since disappeared and after the completion of a major renovation in 2001 the Ambassador reinvented itself and gained an air of confidence last seen when she was built in 1898...and extraordinarily, the current owners were born only a little further on in 1926.

It is boasts a splendid central location on the main shopping street but on a busy Summer's evening those with rooms directly overlooking Karntnerstrasse might find things a touch noisy with the windows wide open. That being said, the Ambassador's other side faces Neuer Markt, and a room here looking out on the Donnerbrunnen fountain would be lovely. I didn't get to eat in the restaurant but it has an good reputation and an open aspect allowing you to view the chefs at work. Past guests have included Lehár, Schumann, Marlene Dietrich, Nehru, Mark Twain , Roosevelt, Nehru and Josephine Baker - I' m sure they can't wait for you and me to sign in too! A grand stay assured!!

Unique Qualities: Another of Vienna's Grande Dames! (with a recent facelift)

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: most expensive
Prices: US$180 and up  » Currency Converter
Phone: 43-1-961 61157
Address: Karntner Str. 22 A-, , Vienna 1010
Website: http://www.ambassador.at/

The Kaiserin Elisabeth is a charming hotel a short stroll from Stephansdom, situated in a street that branches off from the swish Karntnerstrasse shopping boulevard. The building in part dates back to the 14th century...though the guest rooms are rather more up to date than that might suggest! In fact even the internet savvy will be able to find a connection within the hotel.

Breakfasts are good but those seeking night-time nosh should be aware that there isn't a proper restaurant on the premises. It is however just possible - though hardly recommended! - to leap from your room straight into the Drei Hussaren just opposite: and that just happens to be one of Vienna's grandest and finest restaurants.

As is so often the case with Vienna's oldest hotels , the guest list is full of past worthies, from Mozart to Wagner to Grieg and Liszt. It's name was granted by Royal decree in 1860, and enthusiasts seeking Empress Elisabeth the (much loved and sadly assassinated Royal beauty known as 'Sissi') won't have to look too hard to find her image! From what I've heard, the Kaiserin Elisabeth is one of the more affordable traditional establishments in this beautiful city and certainly one to research further...

Unique Qualities: Splendidly Sissi!

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$120-180  » Currency Converter
Phone: 0043-1-51526
Address: Weihburggasse 3
Website: http://www.kaiserinelisabeth.at