Selecting a Hotel In Vienna
 

I am in the early planning stages of my next trip to Vienna. Last year, we stayed at the Altwienerhof; this year we would like to sample a different part of the city. Right now, my "hotel short list" consists of these three: <BR>Hotel Carlton Opera <BR>Hotel Austria <BR>Altstadt (hotel) <BR>If you have any knowledge of any of these three places, please pass along your comments. <BR> <BR>Also, if you have found a "block buster" of a place, one too good to be missed, please include it. I am not wed to any of the first 3 listings. Like all working lists, it can be revised after receiving more information. <BR> <BR>Look like I struck out information wise on the Hotel Astoria in Munich. If by chance, you know about that one, please fill me in. <BR> <BR>PS I did a search, and read comments about Pension Nosseck and two or three other places. Right now, I would like to gather informed opinion on these three places.

We stayed at the Altstadt in September and found it very charming and comfortable. Very informative reception staff, cozy breakfast room. We had a very spacious room--a huge apartment actually--but I think the rooms are all pretty large. The one drawback for us was that though the Altstadt is in a nice area, and just a few blocks from public transportation, it was far enough to be a little tiring for my mom (early 70's). Hope this is helpful. Merry Christmas!

Thanks so much for the feedback on the hotel Altstadt. How was the breakfast. <BR>The walking distance may be a factor because my wife has a lateral minuscus problem in BOTH knees. It may have ended her hiking career, which has taken her to the heights. Just think sloshing through the sleet on the Gemmi Pass may have been her last high level enjoyment.

If my memory serves me right and at my age...well that's becoming an issue:(] Hotel Austria is on a small street, secluded as it were. I'm blanking on where, but it was walkable from the center. On the nearest main street was a restaurant -- nice traditional Austrian food -- up against the little bits that remain of the original city walls. <BR> <BR>We stayed at Hotel Wandl last time and found it very well located... it was about $174 for an enormously spacious double with a sidelong view of St. Peters in Peterplatz. You are very close to the Stephansdom [2 blocks tops] and the main sites such as the Hofburg and Kunsthistorische are very close as well as the opera and the mai shopping area.

Here is the Hotel Wandl website address: http://www.hotel-wandl.com/ The roomm rates are much more reasonable than I indicated previously ranging from $90-160 USD.

Sorry to be so prolific here:) This is the restaurant: [this is the Fodor's review] <BR> <BR>GRIECHENBEISL <BR>Fleischmarkt 11, Vienna, Austria <BR>Phone: 01/533-1941 <BR> AS300 to AS500 Austrian <BR> An inn has been on this site since 1457, next to the glittering gold Greek Orthodox church, in one of the prettiest areas in the city. Now housed within the half-timbered walls is a old-fashioned kitchen that serves traditional, delicious Viennese dishes, such as thick and hearty goulash soup, Wiener schnitzel, and Apfelstrudel. In summer tables are set up in the charming small square in front of the restaurant. AE, DC, MC, V. <BR>

Sounds like the Altstadt and the Austria Hotels are fully acceptable, and in interesting locations. I definitely want to stay in a different area of Vienna this time. Maybe a few more returns will come in. <BR>(I still need some input on Hotel Astoria in Munich. I took it on a friend's advice, but it is not too late to cancel if it is a turkey.)

We stayed at the Hotelpension Arenberg in the ring. It is small with just 24 rooms but very nice and the muesli they serve for breakfast is homemade! It is affiliated with Best Western, which is convenient, but it does not look like an American hotel. Some of the rooms do have American type larger beds. The original owner had some of the symphony conductors and movie stars who stayed there autograph pictures for her wall. It is old-world stylish and for a single paid less that $50, including the breakfast. You have an easy walk to St. Stephen's, a metro stop or the Air Terminal at the Hilton.

We recently stayed at the Hotel de France which was on the Schottenring. It was a beautiful hotel, with excellent service and even a nightly turn-down. We stayed there as part of a Colette Discovery Tour and the winter rates were very reasonable. (We only paid $48 to add an extra night onto our package in December) The location was fantastic, just on the ring. It was just steps away from the Ubahn, trams and trolleys. Around the corner one could see the magnificent Votivkirche where we saw the Vienna Boys Choir perform. A few blocks away was the Rathaus with the christmas markets. The buffet breakfast very substantial and quite good. The rooms (ours was Room 529) were very large and immaculate. I would love to stay there again.

Why do I bother to post when it gets blown right by? Remind me not to offer anything extra next time.

S Fowler, <BR> <BR>I too am planning a trip to Vienna and found your posts helpful...keep posting! <BR>

I have discovered that the IBIS chain (part of Accor) provides a good combination of quality and value. We stayed in the Vienna IBIS. It is under $100 per night. Located a bit west of downtown but it is close to a major metro station that can get you anywhere in a few minutes.