We'd like a place where we can WALK to most Vienna experiences. Of course, we'd like to have a hotel near the water and with a balcony, but I know we are expecting too much. We will be in Vienna for 4 days mid-September. Any input we appreciate. Thank you.

T and T

It was long ago, I stayed at Hotel de France, on the Ring, walking distance to Stephandom, very near the Votiv Kirche and the trams to Grinzig.

Whatever your pick, book as quickly as possible as this becomes a busy time in Vienna including some conventions and seminars.

If you wish Danube views

The Hilton Danube - good views of the river , large rooms but not convenient for sightseeing - this outside of the city center . For anything you must take the UBahn into the center.

For a Vienna style and city center location
4 star
The Kaiserin Elisabeth
www.kaiserinelisabeth.at

The Konig von Ungarn
www.kvu.at

both ideal locations- near Stephansdom and walking distance to most sights, shopping , good restaurants.
The KVU has a nice atrium for a drink with good atmosphere.
No water views of course.

5 star
Grand Hotel, classic style and numerous think the best overall hotel in the city or just across the street the Modern style Ring Hotel
These are on the Ringstrasse, very close to the State Opera.
Walking distance to most major tourist sites.
Public transport very close.
www.grandhotelwien.com

Bristol Hotel ( now a Starwoods hotel )- 5 star just across the street from the State Opera on the Ringstrasse. Walking distance for most everything. Some rooms with balcony and good views over the State Opera.

A vote for the Konig von Ungarn. It's just behind St. Stephen's Cathedral. You can walk almost anywhere or easily get on the U-bahn either in St. Stephen's Place or on the ring.

I would forget the river view, central Vienna is not on the river but on the Danube canal. See the Danube via boat trip from Melk to Durnstein, including a stop at Melk Abbey.

I had a heck of a time booking a hotel from Sept 11 to 15. There was/is a convention or something going on. I finally got a place away from the center on Hütteldorfer Strasse.

http://dev.ersnet.org/723-vienna-sep...12-16-2009.htm

European Respiratory Society

With all these lung specialists around, perhaps there will be fewer smokers in Vienna during your trip

By the way, similar story for Berlin Sept 20-24. European cancer congress, I'm waiting to hear if I'm going to that one.

tpeterman, the last two times I was in Vienna (2001 + 2002) I stayed at two places that were both very close to the Shottentor (the Innenstadt/Inner City).

One was the Hotel Atlanta and the other was a nice little pension that I just walked up to and got a room in late May for 5 days. I cannot recall the name but it is directly acroos the street on Wahringer Strasse from the VotivKirche, right there down the street from Schottentor. Both are on Wahringer Strasse, so you could essily find the pension on some kind of map-based search, I would think. I could look out my window and see the cathedral lit up at night.

They were both inexpensive (relatively) and in a perfect location. Minutes from the old city by foot (the Atlanta is a bit farther but you can just hop on the trams and be there in a couple minutes vs walking about 10), and right on the tram lines that run up to the wine villages.

Not 5 stars, (some of the places above are big $$, but if you can swing it, sure) but nice enough places and great breakfasts. A room by the water? If you mean the Danube, that's well away from the city center and there's nothing to be gained by a room overlooking the canal. It's nothing special and, frankly, it can smell at times.

Hello t:

Another vote for the Bristol. In the midst of everything, wonderful staff, extremely comfortable. Gradyghost

The Radisson SAS Palais Hotel is on the Ring Road and very convenient to the inner city sites.

And another for the Konig Von Ungarn. Couldn't be more central, more traditional or more perfect. Enjoy

We stayed at HOTEL AM STEPHANSPLATZ, literally right across from St. Stephen's cathedral. We like modern style so we loved it. Very comfortable, nice rooms. We had a high floor with a balcony viewing the cathedral directly across. It was beautiful to watch how the light changed the cathedral at different times of day. Everything was in walking distance and it was great to roll out of the hotel and watch events on the square or go to a wine bar or cafe. Charming place, wonderful location.
www.hotelamstephansplatz.at
tel: +43 1 53 405-9
email: office@ hotelamstephansplatz.at

This is very good to know--the am Stephansplatz was closed when I was last in Vienna which is why we stayed at the Konig von Ungarn, which I also loved. There's been so much rennovation around the square, I assumed it was closed permanently. Is the Dom Cafe still there?

I don't know what your budget is, but I have stayed at the Bristol and the Grand (just down the block from the Bristol)and would recommend them. They were both fantastic, but of the two, I preferred the Bristol. It is directly across from the Staatsoper. It is within easy walking distance of almost anything you would want to see, and there is also a u-bahn stop very nearby.

I am amazed that nobody has recommended the Aldstadt Hotel. my wife asnd I stayed there two years ago and it has everything one would want. The situation is perfect and the morning breakfast, which is included in the price, is outstanding. On top of that, the staff are extremely friendly and speak excellent English. The price per night was not at all bad. Look up Trip Advisor for comments on this super hotel and you will see others who are of the same opinion.

We stayed at the Kaiserin Elisabeth last summer and thought it was great. It is very conveniently located and we thought the staff was very friendly.

We found a wonderful place to stay, thanks to your input. We will let you know about our experience. Thank you for taking the time to offer your advice and experience.

Tom and Trishia