Pension Franz, Pension City, other budget accommodation in Vienna?
Oct 6th, 2008, 11:10 PM
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Pension Franz, Pension City, other budget accommodation in Vienna?
First, I've been doing a bit of a Google mashup:
http://preview.tinyurl.com/4vx5ju
As I have posted before, I will be in Vienna Nov. 19-23, and I am looking for reasonable-quality budget accommodation.
In this mashup, Pension Franz, which I can get for an average of 41 Euros per night for an ensuite room with breakfast through www.hrs.de , is marked B. Its regular website is www.hotelpensionfranz.at . This is what I have currently booked.
Pension City, recommended here, has a central location marked I on the above mashup. It is 60 Euros per night for a single ensuite room with breakfast. I can only find it advertised on its website, at http://www.citypension.at .
Hotel Wilhelmsdof, which I may be able to get for as little as 49 Euros per night for a 3* single ensuite room with breakfast through www.hotel-booking.com , is marked E. Its regular website is
http://www.wilhelmshof.at .
I think most people would agree that Pension City has the best location. What I don't like is that its reception closes at 8 PM. I'm not sure when it opens. Pension Franz has a reception that closes at 1 AM, but again I don't know when it opens. I have an early flight out at the end of my stay, and want to be assured of a taxi or shuttle pickup.
Any thoughts on these places, or anything in that price range?
I will have my laptop with me. I am mostly fine leaving it in a 3* or hotel room, but somehow I feel more fearful leaving it in a pension or a lower-starred hotel. I'm not sure if that is reasonable. Does anyone have any ideas on laptop safety? I know there are strategies like cable locks, and hiding it in your suitcase.
I can also get the Mercure Wien Westbahnhof, through gtahotels.com, for 61 Euros per night including a hot buffet breakfast. I know this would be convenient for the moment I step out of the train station, and it ensures that there will be 24-hour reception, but I'm not sure it would be good to be that far out. Or I could do a Priceline bid for the Vienna West zone and probably come up with an equivalent deal.
http://preview.tinyurl.com/4vx5ju
As I have posted before, I will be in Vienna Nov. 19-23, and I am looking for reasonable-quality budget accommodation.
In this mashup, Pension Franz, which I can get for an average of 41 Euros per night for an ensuite room with breakfast through www.hrs.de , is marked B. Its regular website is www.hotelpensionfranz.at . This is what I have currently booked.
Pension City, recommended here, has a central location marked I on the above mashup. It is 60 Euros per night for a single ensuite room with breakfast. I can only find it advertised on its website, at http://www.citypension.at .
Hotel Wilhelmsdof, which I may be able to get for as little as 49 Euros per night for a 3* single ensuite room with breakfast through www.hotel-booking.com , is marked E. Its regular website is
http://www.wilhelmshof.at .
I think most people would agree that Pension City has the best location. What I don't like is that its reception closes at 8 PM. I'm not sure when it opens. Pension Franz has a reception that closes at 1 AM, but again I don't know when it opens. I have an early flight out at the end of my stay, and want to be assured of a taxi or shuttle pickup.
Any thoughts on these places, or anything in that price range?
I will have my laptop with me. I am mostly fine leaving it in a 3* or hotel room, but somehow I feel more fearful leaving it in a pension or a lower-starred hotel. I'm not sure if that is reasonable. Does anyone have any ideas on laptop safety? I know there are strategies like cable locks, and hiding it in your suitcase.
I can also get the Mercure Wien Westbahnhof, through gtahotels.com, for 61 Euros per night including a hot buffet breakfast. I know this would be convenient for the moment I step out of the train station, and it ensures that there will be 24-hour reception, but I'm not sure it would be good to be that far out. Or I could do a Priceline bid for the Vienna West zone and probably come up with an equivalent deal.
Oct 6th, 2008, 11:36 PM
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I made an error above.
Pension City (which I failed to mark explicitly) is very close to F, which is Stephansplatz.
The location marked I is actually the Mercure Wien Centrum (very close to F, as it turns out) and this hotel is just there for reference.
Pension City (which I failed to mark explicitly) is very close to F, which is Stephansplatz.
The location marked I is actually the Mercure Wien Centrum (very close to F, as it turns out) and this hotel is just there for reference.
Oct 7th, 2008, 01:53 AM
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One more option I've found is Hotel Post, a 3* hotel inside the ring, and about 42 Euros per night through alpharooms.com for a single ensuite room with breakfast, for my dates.
In this latest URL from Google, it is marked as J.
http://tinyurl.com/4vx5ju
In this latest URL from Google, it is marked as J.
http://tinyurl.com/4vx5ju
Oct 7th, 2008, 07:05 AM
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I still don't see a J in the newer link.
I think Franz location is fine. Not sure if I want to stay on the other side of the river (E).
Can you call Pension Franz and ask what time their reception open, and see if they will accomodate you with your early departure?
Can't comment on the laptop issue since I never travel with one.
I think Franz location is fine. Not sure if I want to stay on the other side of the river (E).
Can you call Pension Franz and ask what time their reception open, and see if they will accomodate you with your early departure?
Can't comment on the laptop issue since I never travel with one.
Oct 7th, 2008, 08:01 AM
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Sorry about that. This one has J, which is just 100 meters or so southeast of I:
http://tinyurl.com/4vx5ju
I'm glad you think the Franz location is fine. The location is talked up positively in the reviews, but I started to worry that it was just at the edge of the ring, rather than inside it.
http://tinyurl.com/4vx5ju
I'm glad you think the Franz location is fine. The location is talked up positively in the reviews, but I started to worry that it was just at the edge of the ring, rather than inside it.
Oct 7th, 2008, 08:10 AM
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I still don't see J, but it doesn't matter since you said it's near I.
I'm no expert, but Pension Franz appears to be just outside the ring - looks to be just a short walk to the ring for trams and to the U Bahn station.
Perhaps some real Vienna experts can weigh in their opinions.
I'm no expert, but Pension Franz appears to be just outside the ring - looks to be just a short walk to the ring for trams and to the U Bahn station.
Perhaps some real Vienna experts can weigh in their opinions.
Oct 7th, 2008, 08:57 AM
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I've only stayed in Pension Franz of those you list. It was a good, quiet location. The staff was so nice and upgraded our room to a suite with a tiny balcony. The breakfast was good and fresh. I liked the dark woods and tapestries ... it was November and all seemed very appropriate.
It is dark at night to enter, as it's on a mid-level floor, but it never made me nervous. You could bring a small flashlight.
It is dark at night to enter, as it's on a mid-level floor, but it never made me nervous. You could bring a small flashlight.
Oct 7th, 2008, 09:17 AM
#8
I wouldn't worry that the Mercure Wien Westbahnhof is too far out - you can take the metro straight in. (Buy a transport pass.) My first visit to Vienna I stayed in a pension one stop closer on the same line, and didn't find it inconvenient. In fact, I quite liked browsing the shops on Mariahilfer Strasse - there's a place with great open-faced sandwiches....
Oct 8th, 2008, 01:34 AM
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I keep on responding to myself, but two more points.
The Golden Tulip Wien can actually be obtained for 49 Euros per night, including a hot buffet breakfast, but through hotelclub.com, for my dates. However, it does not have an in-room laptop safe, nor does it have a safe at reception that can hold a laptop.
I went to TripAdvisor and entered "laptop theft" (no quotes). I came up with a varied list of hotels of all star levels and locations where people reported stolen laptops. Similarly if you enter "laptop stolen" (no quotes). So, that limited experiment suggests that getting a high-star hotel does not have a protective value for one's laptop. No one reported a laptop theft from a safe, though.
The Golden Tulip Wien can actually be obtained for 49 Euros per night, including a hot buffet breakfast, but through hotelclub.com, for my dates. However, it does not have an in-room laptop safe, nor does it have a safe at reception that can hold a laptop.
I went to TripAdvisor and entered "laptop theft" (no quotes). I came up with a varied list of hotels of all star levels and locations where people reported stolen laptops. Similarly if you enter "laptop stolen" (no quotes). So, that limited experiment suggests that getting a high-star hotel does not have a protective value for one's laptop. No one reported a laptop theft from a safe, though.
Oct 8th, 2008, 06:02 AM
#13
I solve the laptop safety concern by not taking one - there are internet cafes in Vienna, although not on every corner. If you have to take one, I doubt that there would be much difference between a two-star hotel or a four star - hostels would be a bigger concern. Pick the hotel you want, and if you have to take your laptop, leave it out of sight. BTW, have you been keeping up with the news about customs officials searching laptops? See, for example, articles.latimes.com/2008/jun/26/business/fi-laptops26 and news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-9892897-38.html
Oct 8th, 2008, 06:14 AM
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May be a little more than you want to spend with singles around 70 euros but try the Pension Pertschy at www.pertschy.com
Great location which will save you a lot on transport and very nice accommodation.
Great location which will save you a lot on transport and very nice accommodation.
Oct 8th, 2008, 07:01 AM
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I've stayed at and would recommend Pension Nossek. It's right on the Graben so convenient to sights, restaurants, shopping. A single is 60 - 77 Euro. Rooms are clean and comfortable; not fancy. From the photos on their site I see the same women are in charge who were there when I stayed. They were very helpful getting tickets (before prevalent internet) and making sure we had a room the last night when I miscalculated our departure date.
http://www.pension-nossek.at/
http://www.pension-nossek.at/
Oct 8th, 2008, 07:28 AM
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Do some of these hotels/pensions you are considering actually list in-room laptop safe? As I've said before, I never travel with a laptop, but many of the in-room safes I have come across are quite small, which may not fit a laptop!
Anyway, perhaps you can post a new thread just asking for people's general experience with traveling w/laptop and see if anybody reports their laptop being stolen?
Anyway, perhaps you can post a new thread just asking for people's general experience with traveling w/laptop and see if anybody reports their laptop being stolen?
Oct 8th, 2008, 08:10 AM
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I did find the numerous stories about laptop theft on TripAdvisor. I found a few mentions in a search here, and a couple reports on this 2005 thread:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34723428
That was an unnerving article posted about computers being seized at US customs as a random thing. I think laptop theft is rare, and probably happens more outside hotels than in them, but I want to reduce my chances as much as possible.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34723428
That was an unnerving article posted about computers being seized at US customs as a random thing. I think laptop theft is rare, and probably happens more outside hotels than in them, but I want to reduce my chances as much as possible.
Oct 8th, 2008, 08:28 AM
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I've never seen a room safe large enough for a lap top. I suppose they may but out there but I doubt at a pension.
Maybe the front desk would be willing to put it in a secure back office for you while you are out? We asked that of a small hotel in Avignon (we had checked out and the general storage area while on the 1st floor as opposed to ground floor was very exposed). They were very obliging.
Maybe the front desk would be willing to put it in a secure back office for you while you are out? We asked that of a small hotel in Avignon (we had checked out and the general storage area while on the 1st floor as opposed to ground floor was very exposed). They were very obliging.
Oct 8th, 2008, 10:12 AM
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Courtyard by Marriott has safes large enough for a laptop.
But now I've put the problem to rest, so far as worrying about laptop safety at my accommodation.
I've made arrangements to take a dispensable laptop without huge amounts of valuable software and data on it, and this will be sufficient for the trip's purposes.
But now I've put the problem to rest, so far as worrying about laptop safety at my accommodation.
I've made arrangements to take a dispensable laptop without huge amounts of valuable software and data on it, and this will be sufficient for the trip's purposes.
Oct 15th, 2008, 12:17 AM
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I ended up doing something different for my booking in Vienna.
Searching through the www.ameropa.de site and the dertour.de site, I found that Ameropa had an offer for the 4* Lindner am Belvedere for 61.50 Euros per night, including breakfast. Dertour had an offer for the adjacent 4* NH Belvedere for 60.75 Euros er night, including breakfast. Neither offer was available on any English-language site that I checked.
Because the Ameropa site allowed me to enter my address in the form (Dertour did not have a Canada or Kanada option in the "Land" list), I ended up choosing Ameropa.
Although this is above the maximum price I like to pay for single rooms, Lindner am Belvedere has really good reviews, and I just welcomed the idea of staying at what seems to be a really good 4* hotel.
The site says there is wireless access in the rooms, but I'm not sure if there is an extra charge. I am sure this is not the very best location in Vienna, but it seems not bad, and the reviewers seemed to have no complaints about it. The tram and the underground station are both close by, and I can get to the airport by S-Bahn early on Sunday, Nov. 23 if I choose not to take a taxi.
The stressful part is doing the bookings all in German, which I don't know much at all. I did get answers to my email inquiries in English. If I had waited to book, Dertour was willing to help me book despite the lack of Canada in the booking form.
Here is the Google mashup showing the hotel location in relation to Stephansplatz:
http://tinyurl.com/4hlof4
Ameropa is a travel agency arm of Deutsche Bahn. Dertour seems to do lots of tours. I found about Dertour through the http://www.holidaycheck.de site, which is like a hotel comparison site in German., and which seems to offer lots of great rates you can't get on English-language sites.
Searching through the www.ameropa.de site and the dertour.de site, I found that Ameropa had an offer for the 4* Lindner am Belvedere for 61.50 Euros per night, including breakfast. Dertour had an offer for the adjacent 4* NH Belvedere for 60.75 Euros er night, including breakfast. Neither offer was available on any English-language site that I checked.
Because the Ameropa site allowed me to enter my address in the form (Dertour did not have a Canada or Kanada option in the "Land" list), I ended up choosing Ameropa.
Although this is above the maximum price I like to pay for single rooms, Lindner am Belvedere has really good reviews, and I just welcomed the idea of staying at what seems to be a really good 4* hotel.
The site says there is wireless access in the rooms, but I'm not sure if there is an extra charge. I am sure this is not the very best location in Vienna, but it seems not bad, and the reviewers seemed to have no complaints about it. The tram and the underground station are both close by, and I can get to the airport by S-Bahn early on Sunday, Nov. 23 if I choose not to take a taxi.
The stressful part is doing the bookings all in German, which I don't know much at all. I did get answers to my email inquiries in English. If I had waited to book, Dertour was willing to help me book despite the lack of Canada in the booking form.
Here is the Google mashup showing the hotel location in relation to Stephansplatz:
http://tinyurl.com/4hlof4
Ameropa is a travel agency arm of Deutsche Bahn. Dertour seems to do lots of tours. I found about Dertour through the http://www.holidaycheck.de site, which is like a hotel comparison site in German., and which seems to offer lots of great rates you can't get on English-language sites.
