Hello,

I am looking for some advice on selecting a hotel in Vienna this May. I will be in meetings at the Technical University of Vienna, and I would like to be within fairly convenient walking distance from the University and the city center. This past month, I stayed at the Marriott, and it was a decent hotel, but not much character. Based on other recommendations, I have narrowed my selection to the Konig von Ungarm, the Astoria, or the Starlight on Rengasse. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

--Rob

P.S. A couple of other notes -- I have a reservation at the Astoria for 137 Eur/single room, but I'm not sure what this will actually give me. I'm 6'1, so I'm somewhat afraid of getting a room the size of a closet where my feed and head are both touching the walls ;-)

Are you set on staying in a hotel? My husband and I always stay in a pension. Much prefer it and it's a lot cheaper. We have stayed at Pension Nossek on the Graben within shouting distance of St. Stephens. Ask for a room with balcony. Or Pension Pertschy on Habsburgergasse. Last year we stayed at Pension Neuer Markt which we liked a lot. I have to admit I don't know the location of the Technical College but the places I recommended are all in the city center. No air conditioning!! You won't need it in May.

Hi doc-buford,
I just posted a lengthy reply to your question re Vienna hotels but I don't think it went through. Let me know

Sorry, pipsil, but we were in Vienna in May 2002 and nearly died from the heat. Granted, it was unusual for that time of year, but it can happen.

We like the Hotel Admiral and it's not far from the TU. Check out Location II on the Admiral's website.

http://www.admiral.co.at/index1.html

As I recently stated on a post listing three of the most expensive hotels in Vienna, if I had my choice of a free room in any of them, I'd still choose the charming and friendly Konig von Ungarn -- one of my favorite little hotels in Europe.

I support the Starlight Suites as I have said a number of times, but it is for value for money , space reasons and cleanliness. Rooms are modern and not overly full of character - for that definitely KOnig von Hungarn. Astoria has some character and room size is OK. Just that some of the Astoria's character could be seen as tatty - especially corridors. Also consider PAlais Schwarzenberg for great character in public areas and wonderful gardens to look out onto, and KAiserin Elizabeth Hotel - similar pricing to Kv H.

I agree w/ Patrick re the K.von U. We stayed at the Konig von U. last May and really enjoyed it. However, the University we saw was quite a distance from the Konig so I'm not sure if you want to do the walking. We are just a year younger than you and we had no problem w/ the walk (and we're not excerise fanatics). It's a lovely walk, but if you have to do it everyday or it's raining you might ??? get sick of it. I think Vienna is such a beautiful city that I don't know if I would ever get tired of it or the walk. Also, if there is more than 1 university "yours" may be closer to K.von U. than the one my husband and I saw.

Oh, the university I'm aware of was only a few blocks from the Konig von Ungarn, but I couldn't say if that's the one you're talking about or not. The Konig von Ungarn is next to the Mozart House, about a block from the cathedral -- a great location for city center.

The univ. that I'm referring to is past the rose garden & up by the Rathhaus (sp?). If that's the same one you are referring to Patrick, maybe we took the looooong way around to get to it?????

On a side note - Patrick- you give such great information and have continued to do so for a number of years now. I for one REALLY appreciate the time you take to answer questions. Thank you.

What a nice comment, ec. I appreciate it.

If that is the University that is near the Karlsplatz U-Bahn station and down the same street as the Opera, then I would recommend Hotel Drei Kronen. When I was there, several visiting professors were staying thru the university. It is nice, not large rooms but comfortable with bathroom. The buffet breakfast was excellent and there is an open-air market across the street. In the next block is a nice grocery store. It is a small family run hotel.

Thanks so much for all the replies!

Yes, Linda, it is the university near the Karlzplatz station (just a couple of blocks to the SW, I believe).

I'll have to check out the Drei Kronen and the Admiral -- those were two that I had not looked at before.

On another note, which train station would I need if I were to make a day-trip to Budapest or maybe an outing to Bratislava? I might also take that into consideration with planning a hotel in order to get the most central one to Vienna's inner ring, the TU, and the station.

Finally, do any of the hotels mentioned offer some form of health center or sauna or is that something only found at the higher end hotels? (I know the Starlight has something, but don't know about the others.)

Thanks again!



P.S. Patrick and Travelnick -- I've looked at your replies to my message as well as other threads -- you both have some great advice.

You would go to the Sud (South) train station for Bratislava. I don't know about Budapest because we went there from Prague.

Doc, the Admiral does not have an exercise room. You probably won't find that except at the higher end hotels. I imagine that you'll get a good workout with all the walking you'll do!!

I love teh Astoria, particularly if you can get one of the rooms w/the tiny balconies that overlook the pedestrian zone. The rooms are fairly spacious but not inexpensive.

Was in austria with a whole group of 20 of my neighbors and we stayed at the Astoria. The location is terrific and the staff is very nice. The hotel is old world and yes, the halls are a little tatty, but the room reserved for my husband and I was just lovely. It was a corner room with a balcony and had that old world Vienna feel. all 20 in our group liked the hotel.

Wanted to originally stay at the Konig, but they did not take large reservations.

You might try taking a boat either to Bratislava or Budapest. We found it a pleasant way to travel although it does take longer than the train.

Well, Patrick, here goes...I have 11 days in Vienna coming up in March and will spend the first 3 nights at the Konig von Ungarn, based on the recommendations here (then I'm moving on to an Accor hotel, probably the Sofitel, as I have an Accor Favorite Guest card and get good discounts and points with them). I'm curious to see how it compares to the other hotels I've stayed at in Vienna (my two favs are the [ANA]Grand and the Kaiserin Elisabeth).