Am trying to decide on 2 nt stay for our family (2 adults/2 young teens)in Vienna. Am considering Hotel Carlton Opera, Hotel Admiral or Hotel Pension-Franz. Will have a car to park and ideally prefer non-smoking and air-conditioning if necessary. Any recommendations? Is parking spot difficult to get on street in Vienna outside of hotel? Appreciate your feedback greatly. Thanks.

Parking in Vienna is VERY difficult to find anywhere. Most hotels do not have parking for guests. <BR><BR>We have stayed at the Admiral Hotel twice over the last few years and really like the place. However, altho they do have a few parking spots for guests located about 1/2 block from the hotel, they do not have air conditioned rooms. <BR><BR>Check out the hotel recommended by Travelnick called Starlight Suites. I believe he said it is air conditioned and does have parking. <BR><BR>When we were last in Vienna in May 2002, it was quite warm and I wished then we'd had AC.

Starlight Suites (Renngasse best location fo three) does not to my knowledge have own parking but area is relatively easy for parking being not in the immediate area of shops and pedestrian areas (only 5 minute walk but makes all the difference). Its where we had to park our car when absolutely nothing near our flat. Ring them for best rate - but still likely to be more expensive than the three you have picked out.<BR>I would not go for Pension Franz unless they have a back room - the street that they are on is very busy and 30 metres from one of the busiest junctions with lots of trams slowing down to go into an underground station. I cannot imagine it will be anything but loud. Backrooms in such places are absolutely fine but you will get no view. Carlton Opera is slightly off centre and close to Naschmarkt, but I find the area a bit grimy (not dangerous or anything like that) as lots of Vienna outside the centre has not had the buildings cleaned up for a long, long time - this is one of those areas. Of the three I would go for Admiral, partly as the only hotel to show its rooms from what I could find on quick web search. Rooms look fine, and although as Betty knows I prefer being within the ring, you do pay a little more and Admiral is very well located for museums.

Thank-you bettyk &amp; travelnick for your helpful replies. I have inquired into the starlight suites and am just waiting a response on rates etc. A likely choice for us will then be Admiral or starlight. Any other suggestions are always welcome!

If you get no response or delay - then reply and I shall go and see them - right next door to my health club so it is no problem at all.

Thak-you for your offer to help Travelnick. The Starlight Renngasse did promptly reply with details. They offer a double room for 91 Euro &amp; 30 Euro each for 2 additional beds in room for a total of 151 Euro nightly. This includes business breakfast only. Buffet breakfast is 12 Euro each extra &amp; parking is 15 Euro daily. So in other words total rate of 166 Euro (no buffet breakfast) or in Canadian terms ; $274.00 CAD/nt. There are ac and non-smoking rooms. The Admiral rate is total of 118 Euro nighlty for 4 bedded room/buffet breakfast/parking inc. In Canadian terms is $195. Quite a difference on rates. Is the Starlight worth it? I feel maybe not, unless they can come up with better rate. Sounds like the Admiral's rooms are more spacious too. Any comments?<BR>Jennifer

As stated above, parking is a real problem, we learned first hand when we stayed in the pedestrian area. I cannot remember the name of the hotel but there was one just outside the ring that we had considered that had parking and seemed reasonably priced. We were there in 1999 and things do change. If you have access to a Rick Steves guide, he has some nice recommendations in varying price ranges for Vienna. <BR>Do see Schoenbrun it was wonderful. Also a quick tour was to read Rick's quide while on the city bus around the ring (less expensive too). Vienna seemed to us as one of the more expensive cities in Europe. The Opera tour was very good too, while waiting for our tour after we got tickets, we walked down the street and had our Sacher Torte.<BR>Made a quick visit to the Casino too.<BR>Have a great trip.

The Admiral is a standard hotel, SS are suites, offering a reasonably roomy lounge with 2 leather chairs + one 2-seater sofa. together with small dining table (2 seater). Bedroom may well be a little smaller than Admiral but it is the second room after all. So I am pretty sure you will have more space - at least to relax in lounge part of room. I would imagine the 4 bedded room would not offer any great ´&quot;lounge&quot; facilties. 30 each person does seem a little steep though for the extra beds. Maybe ask for no breakfast and get that reduced. I assume 15 euro parking is underground. For 2 nights, I would be tempted to avoid the car parking charge and risk the street - at night time it is really not a problem there in my experience. Middle of day bit trickier. I have only parked on the weekend so no cost at that time - actually not sure of weekday situation. Air con is definitely a plus if you are coming in July or August - it can certainly get hot here. In 2001 I arrived in August and it was over 30 degrees everyday except 2 (25 or so). The air con in my serviced apartment was on all the time. As to breakfast - up to you and your stomach. What I would say is lunch meals in Vienna are really good value, so if you are not a big breakfast person, wait for then. A lot of people here get luncheon vouchers from work (tax efficient) - it seems to result in a huge number of lunch menus, usually under 10euro. Yesterday tried a Chinese (East to West, on Seilerstatte) near my work -trendy place. 3 courses for 5.60 or 6.50 depending on dish - choice of about 15 dishes. Bettelstudent on Johannesgasse is 3 courses in Austrain style for 6.90 - a favourite with locals. Harrys Time, my favourite for 6 courses of very high quality (different league to others) for 17. Plus all the Japanese restaurants for 10 or less for a bento box. Out of curiosity and to check out Bettyk's favourite, I may well go over and ask to have a look - will let you know. What month are you coming anyway?

Nick, I think we had Room #56 the last time we were there. No view, but recently refurbished. There's lots of space for 2 people, but not sure how much bigger the rooms for 4 people are. When you walk into the room, there is a large hallway with lots of closet space. The bath is truly huge with a large tub and shower. The room itself was of good size and well furnished with that sleek Danish modern looking furniture. Nothing lavish, but neat and clean. <BR><BR>Their breakfast buffet includes several different breads (including those lovely semmels), cheeses, cold cuts, cereals, juices, etc. <BR><BR>The Admiral is not fancy, but a good deal especially if you require a parking space. You're right, though, about the AC. It can get hot in the summer in Vienna.

Thanks again to you all for your help. We're staying in Vienna 2nd week of July. Travelnick, if you do get the chance to see the Admiral could you possibly check out size of 4 bedded room? Would be greatly appreciated.<BR>Also wondering, Betty, if Admiral is in quiet enough area so windows can be left opened for breeze if necessary. I truly appreciate a/c but not willing to pay alot extra for it and at expense of guaranteed parking.<BR>Thank-you.

I stayed at the Carlton Opera for four nights and liked the hotel. If I return to Vienna, I would stay there again. <BR><BR>Our room was comfortable and fairly large. The bathroom was fine, too. As I recall, it had a real shower compartment with closing doors. Best of all, it was AIR CONDITIONED !!!!!!!!!!!!!<BR>I think that was a very vital feature!!<BR><BR>The breakfast at the hotel was fabulous. Plenty of good food of all kinds: cheeses, cereals, pastries, juices, breads, fruits, meats, eggs, yogurt, plus tea and coffee. The tea came in custom bags of various types and you made your own in a little pot. There was even a non smoking area in an alcove that was sepearate from the main breakfast room.<BR><BR>I would go back to the Carlton Opera just for the breakfast!! I found the staff to be helpful and professional. <BR>The ones I talked to spoke very good English. <BR><BR>Our bed was a big one, like two US single beds. The furniture in the room was ok, too. The windows were high and double glassed. With them shut, and the heavy drapes drawn, the room was quiet. <BR><BR>As for having a car, I cannot think of a more burdensome item in Vienna. The hotel will help you find parking, but don't plan on driving it much. Parking is a problem there just like any American city, e.g. New York City.<BR>My friend Chris came steaming up in his BMW and parked it the whole time we were there. <BR>

Jen, I wouldn't say that it's noisy, but I guess much would depend on the location of your room. Our room overlooked the shared parking lot which was sort of like an inner courtyard area surrounded by many other shops/apartment buildings. We had both of our windows open during our stay and didn't notice any disturbances during the night. However, I ALWAYS take ear plugs with me on vacation just in case!