Vicky

In another 2 weeks I will be booking our trip to Vienna for March 22-28. We are thinking of going 5 star and considering the Ambassador, the Bristol, the Hotel de France. (Imperial is out of our price range).,Am Konzerthaus which is a 4* also looks striking. Does anyone have any experience with any of these, or have other recommendations. We want an old world Vienna style (although Am Konzertaus is art deco) rather than something like Le Meredien or Intercontinental. We'd like a good location since we have a tight itinerary. Does anyone have any cafe suggestions for breakfast? the 5 stars do not include breakfast but we want to experience different cafes anyway. I love coffee and pastries. I have wanted to see vienna for years so am very excited to finally be going!

Cathinjoetown

Not 5 star but I love the Hotel Konig von Ungarn. Great location, service, immaculate rooms and an incredible breakfast which Is included in the price.

If price were not an issue, I think I would still choose this hotel.

Have a look:

www.kvu.at

Of the hotels you are considering, The Bristol is what I would expect of a grand, 5 star experience. Have only been there for drinks but it was memorable.

Delaine

I have stayed at the Bristol, and it was beautiful. My room was very opulent. I love the location too. The last time I was in Vienna I stayed at the Grand Hotel Wien. It is just down from the Bristol in the same block on the same side of the street. It was lovely too.

I haven't stayed there, but you may consider the Sacher Hotel. I had dinner at their Rote Bar Restaurant before the opera, and if the restaurant was any indication of the hotel, I expect the hotel to be just as nice. It also has a good location, behind the Staatsoper.

Vicky

The Sacher is very very expensive - even more than the Imperial. The only reason we are considering one of the grand hotels is that the price for air and hotel for 2 is not that much more than for a 3 star hotel - in the $1100-1300 range each for air from harrisburg, PA and 5 nights hotel. This will probably be our only trip to Vienna so it would be fun to have the whole hotel experience.

the Bristol was always a place I wanted to stay (after the Imperial)

Delaine

Well, in that case I would go with the Bristol. It is definitely in the style of the old-world grand hotel. It is one of my favorite places I have stayed. It is right across from the Staatsoper and very near an u-bahn station (which I used to go to Schonbrunn Palace). You can walk down the Ring or take a tram, and you can walk to the Hofburg or Stephansdom.

molker

I would not consider the De France or Ambassador.

The De France is on the Ringstrasse but in a lesser location than the others.
Not a 5 star -many rooms less than grest many bus tours use the hotel as I often see a bus or teo outside the hotel.

Ambassador- grest location- in city center- but they now build a multi story sore across the street . Concrete work looks complete but musc work remains . The hotel not that great .
The former gourmet Morwald restaurant in the hotel moved out months ago.

Bristol is a classsic and perfect location- some rooms better than others- if you decide on this hotel - ask for a room on the State Opera side.

Konig von Ungarn is very nice - excelent locstion- but realize that it has two different style room categories-
tradional and innovative ( more modern style)
many do not realize this only to be unhappy with the roo style provided.

For perfect " Vienna Style " consider

Kaiserin Elisabeth
perfect city center locsation- 2 minutes to Stephansdom
most rates include a good breakfast.
www.kaiserinelisabeth.at

Many sights within easy walking distance of the Bristol, KVU and Kaiserin Elisabeth.

For convenient csfes example to the Bristol

Cafe Mozart
www.cafe-mozart.at

this just behind the State Opera and next to the Sacher Hotel

Cafe Schwarzenberg

SChwarzenbergplatz on the Ringstrasse across from the Imperial Hotel

www.cafe-schwarzenberg.at

both with good breakfast menu
Schwarzenberg opens at 7

FoFoBT

I agree with Molker about the Ambassador. Like the Intercontinental, I don't think it merits 5 stars.

I have not stayed there for two years, but my favorite 5-star hotel in Vienna is The Grand. I've happily stayed in the Deluxe and Superior rooms - no complaints about anything. And I'm pleased to report they no longer have Fox News as their English language TV news channel ;-)

deedeedee

Try to book your hotel rooms through a Virtuoso Travel Agent. When booking with them you will get breakfast & upgrades (if available) included in the price.

bettyk

Guess I won't be staying at the Grand then.

RonZ

We loved the Kaiserin Elizabeth.

nz101

I stayed at the Hotel De France just three weeks ago. I was there for three nights. My room was lovely, on the fourth floor, large room, separate toilet to the bathroom. Mini bar was free. Nice furnishings, chandeliers in the room, etc. Breakfast was something ridiculous like 29 euro, which I did not partake in. The location was fine for me, on the ringstrasse - on the Schottenring (by the University end), right next to the Schottentor U station. I would say it took 10 minutes to get to St Stephens Cathedral, it wasn't an issue for me as there was plenty to look at on the way - lovely buildings, alleyways, gorgeous shops, it was an easy walk. I didn't like the guy on the reception when I left, there was a bit of an issue over the prepayment of the room, and he was trying to tell me that one of the nights hadn't been paid for. Other than this, I liked it and felt like a princess staying there. The main staircse was beautiful and had a fresco on the ceiling.

nz101

Forgot to say, that I didn't see any bus groups staying here - maybe thats more of a summer thing, I don't know, but I encountered none of that. It was pretty quiet, minor traffic noise outside, but you would get that anywhere in Vienna.

Vicky

Thanks for the affirmations - if I get enough tax refund, the Bristol it is!

travelhorizons

If you decide on the Bristol, check out the added-value amenities you can get through Virtuoso (at the same "best available rate" you'd pay by booking online): http://www.virtuoso.com/hotels/61637...a#.ViUbKta-1RA

janisj

This is a four year old thread topped by an advertiser.