Will be in Vienna for the 1st time in June-my husband loves baroque, gilt, etc. The KVU is recommended everywhere but it would be a bit expensive as we also have our adult daughter and would need their "apartment". Is is really worth the splurge or is say the Royal or Mailbergerhof or Tigra as good or better for less $? Thanks, Susan<BR>

I'm interested to hear what responces you get. I have reservations for one of their apartments on June 6-8. Since we are only there for two days we wanted to be centrally located and I heard such nice things about the hotel on Fodors. In the center of Vienna, we couldn't find a comparable hotel with two rooms that was less priced than the apartment at the Konig.<BR><BR>Since we are taking my mother-in-law, we have found that it is often cheaper for us to get the apartments or suites in Europe than to pay for two rooms. Of course we have also been looking at almost all 3-4 star hotels- but thus far we have seemed to save some money.

Susan, I've stayed at Konig von Ungarn twice and really love it. Of course, I have no knowledge of the other two hotels so I can't make a comparison. I hope you are contacting the hotel directly. I do know that they pay no commissions to travel agents and therefore it generally will cost you more if you have contacted a travel agent. I had friends who told me their travel agent informed them that the Konig von Ungarn was a dump and totally unsuitable for them -- the reason, of course, being that she couldn't get a commission there. They trusted my opinion, dumped the travel agent, booked direct and now rave about the place as well.

I will likewise recommend the KVU very strongly, as I have stayed there several times. I know the Royal, and while the Royal is OK, there is no comparison to the KVU. I don't personally know the other two hotels you named, but I have read about them and they are simply a grade or two lower. The KVU's size (rather small and more intimate), the layout (great atrium and bar/lounge right in the middle), the location (about a block or less from Stephansdom), the good breakfast, and the rooms (very nice, with nice bathrooms), all combine to make a most pleasant visit. If you are driving, you will need to find a parking place on your own (underground parking nearby under the Graben) or you can have the hotel park the car for you, for extra charge, of course. If what you want is a basic hotel, the others will be OK; if what you want is something a bit special, go for the KVU. Only you can decide if the cost is worth it.

Thank you for your input-I made a reservation at the Hotel Astoria based on a good rate I found at a post here<BR>www.tradescotours.com/hotel/austria_hotels.htm. It sounds like it has all the old world charm we're looking for. Susan

Are you kidding us, Susan? The Astoria is one of the worst dumps in Vienna. I guess now that this was all a troll post. Nobody could possibly ask about a hotel like KVU and then book at the Astoria. That's like someone asking for details about the Waldorf Astoria and then saying they booked at a Harlem hostel because they got a better rate!

Thanks for putting a real scare into my vacation-I am just trying to plan the best vacation for my family.

Susan,<BR><BR>Can't vouch for the Astoria, but the Michelin guide gives it 2 houses, same as KVU. The Astoria's location on the K&auml;rtnerstrasse (pedestrian main drag) is certainly central.<BR><BR>That said, I stayed at the KVU (albeit years ago) and am surprised by the Michelin's low rating of 2 houses (generally used for 3 not 4 star hotels).<BR><BR>Still, you can be pretty sure the Astoria won't be a dump (although by no means should you expect deluxe digs).<BR><BR>BTW, have you tried the SAS Radisson Palais? While the rooms are modern, it is housed in 2 beautiful old buildings on the Ring just a few blocks from the cathedral. I once stayed there because they had a special for families: 2nd room at 1/2 price.<BR>www.radisson.com<BR><BR>Hope this helps,<BR>Andre