Jim

My wife and I will be staying in Vienna for 4 or 5 nights and I am trying to decide where to stay (location as well as specific place). Does anyone have recommendation as to staying in the Old City as oppossed to on Mariahilfer Strasse where there appears to be a lot of lodging? We will be arriving at the airport, but leaving from the West Bahnhof train station. We won't have a car so will be walking and using the underground/bus system for getting around.<BR> Thanks for any help/advice you might have on location and ldging establishments, Jim

DougD

As several posters recommended a few posts ago, the Pension Nossek in the old city is a great find. We stayed there last year and were very happy with it. Large, clean rooms, fabulous location, quite reasonable rates. It is right on the Grabben, which is a large pedestrian throfare in the heart of the old city.

bettyk

We stayed at the Admiral Hotel which is located right off Mariahilferstrasse but within a few blocks of the Ringstrasse and the Maria Theresia Museums. It is close to the Babenburg UBahn stop. The hotel is convenient and clean and the price was good too. Check out their website, http://www.admiral.co.at/index1.html.

xxx

I stayed at the Hotel Ibis Wien, which is just steps from the Westbahnhof and Mariahilferstrasse. I arrived by train from Salzburg and simply walked from the Westbahnhof to the hotel with my luggage -- I could see the high rise hotel as soon as I stepped onto the street. <BR><BR>I found this location to be VERY convenient, as the U-Bahn and S-Bahn are also located at the Westbahnhof. Not only was Old Town just a few minutes away via U-Bahn, but it was very convenient to catch the trains for day trips to Melk, Budapest, etc... Also took the bus service available at the Westbahnhof that goes directly to the airport, again finding it very handy to be near the Westbahnhof. <BR><BR>Hotel Ibis Wien is a modern high rise, more like an American hotel, with lots of business travelers there. The view of Vienna from my room was fabulous, and the hotel has air conditioning, which is a BIG plus if you're traveling during summer months. Also have nonsmoking rooms, another big plus.

BTilke

I had thought Mariahilfer Strasse would be an attractive area because it's billed as a main shopping street, but when I was there last year I was disappointed. The stores were most European chains and some American chain stores as well. I prefer staying as close to the central sights (the Graben, Opera House, etc) as possible. My favorite hotel, the Kaiserin Elisabeth, is just off Kartnerstrasse. It's fully booked for my upcoming trip in March, so I got a good rate at the ANA Grand Hotel (across the street from the Bristol). It's a 5-star hotel and usually quite expensive ($275+ a night) but they had a much cheaper rate on their web site, so I'm doing a bit of a splurge this time. Ordinarily, though, I'd book at the Kaiserin Elisabeth, doubles are about $120-$140 a night including breakfast. Some people have said the service was a bit frosty, but we've always been given a warm welcome. You don't say when you'll be traveling, but Vienna can get VERY warm and humid in the summer, so if you're planning to be there anywhere between June and early Sept, try for air conditioning (the KE has AC in some rooms, they have to be reserved in advance).<BR>BTilke<BR>BTilke

Christina

I agree that that street is not very nice nor attractive. I stayed in an area that is a good compromise for you, which I loved. It was the 7th district, right near the Spittelberg area and the main museums. This is outside the old town and main ring, but not far. My pension was directly across from a Ubahn stop (the Volksoper) that went directly to the train station. However, it was also within walking distance of all the main museums, the City Hall area, cafes, and a lot of good restaurants and shopping in the Spittelberg area, and both tram and Ubahn lines. I liked that area much better than the more tourist-heavy areas and it was very convenient. My pension was the Pension Museum (a 4-star) which I liked a lot.

richard j vicek

Good evening, Jim Personally would<BR>take the inner ring, as a hotel in this<BR>location will have many shops and ristorantes in a very close area around<BR>the hotel. on the Mariahilfer Strasse<BR>you are limited to a couple blocks up<BR>and down the street or taking transportation to where you want to eat.<BR>Have done both, originallyu on the Mariahilfer Strasse and in all the later<BR>times at the MAILBERGERHOF, on Annagasse.. Richard of Lagrange Park, Il..

bettyk

The portion of Mariahilfterstrasse close to the Ring is a busy shopping area that is very convenient to the old part of the city and the Westbahnhof. When we stayed at the Hotel Admiral, there were several very nice restaurants within a few blocks. Prices are generally better in the shops on Mariahilferstrasse and you will find more locals shop there. We went into a department store (Gern Grosse I believe) where I bought some lovely lace curtains and several nice leather wallets for a better price than I would have paid on Kaertnerstrasse. Having lived in Vienna for several years, I found the area safe and convenient.