I will be spending some time in Vienna this autumn. I plan to attend the opera, visit museums, and soak up as much culture as I can. I may, also, take one or two day trips to places like Krems, Melk, or Bratislava.

Hotels: I want the most authentic Viennese experience possible, within a short walking distance of the opera house. Right now, it's between the Hotel Sacher and the Hotel Imperial.

1. Which hotel do you prefer, and why?

2. If the dollar keeps dropping, is there a truly special moderately-priced "boutique" hotel in the same area that you would recommend?

Thanks!

Hi schrink; If you are looking for a very special hotel, try this; kvu.com ENJOY Iris

Hi schrink; My mistake, the web site is kvu.at Iris

Hi schrink; In addition, if you are interested in 'culture', Mozart wrote 'figaro' while staying at this hotel and Beethoven visited to study with Mozart. We loved the hotel. The name being Konig Von Ungarn. ENJOY Iris

We stayed at the Bristol and were surrounded by opulence. A block from the opera house. Might want to check it out. Might want to day trip to Salzburg. Very easy by train.

ttt

Stayed in Hotel Konig Von Ungarn many years ago and it was a lovely hotel. It is just around the corner from St. Stephans Cathedral. This would be a few minute walk down the Fußgangerzone to the Opera It still seems to receive very good reviews on tripadvisor.com.

If you'd be interested in a smaller, elegant hotel, I can recommend the Hotel Kaiserin Elisabeth. It's centrally located, and truly a Viennese experience. The other two are much larger, though, if you need more amenities.
>-

I had the good fortune to stay at the Sacher-Vien. Gorgeous room, lovely caring service, and a fantastic concierge - Wolfgang Buchman. I hope he is still there!

I have friends who liked the Imperial very much, too. It's across the street from the Musikverein. Are you going to be lucky enough to hear a concert there? What a beautiful concert hall, and very intimate.

These two are the best hotels in Vienna.

If you want to go really upscale, try the Palais Schwarzenberg:

http://www.palais-schwarzenberg.com

I have stayed at Kaiserin Elisabeth and I must say, this is in a different league - more 3.5 stars, not 5 stars.

For good bargains on rates, check www.hrs.de.

Usually, you get good rates on weekends and during summer.

The prior poster is a little out of touch with Vienna . The Palais Schwarzenberg has been closed perhpas 2 years for complete renovations.
No date yet for re- opening

Really upscale is Palais Coburg Hotel Residenz:

http://www.coburg.at/html_en/start1.php

Palais Coburg may be upscale, but theres a brothel "attached" to it - ie next door, which IMHO drags it down slightly - though it does make amusing people watching in the area.

Though, the brothel seems quite upmarket.

Might be convenient for some

Any feedback on the Hotel Sacher? I'm leaning in this direction, now, as I've been reading that the Imperial is cold and impersonal. I just don't want to be dealing with hoardes of people in the lobby. . . .

I haven't actually stayed at the Sacher, but have attended many parties there. Reviews from colleagues who have stayed there (post renovations) are good, but not glowing. The thing I don't really care about the Sacher is that it's often surrounded by tourists just standing around (sometimes debating the merits of Sachertorte).

I have stayed at the Imperial. Sumptuous public rooms, but not as elegant as the Sacher's. My room was, as expected, quite handsome, but...it just left me a little cold. The Imperial tends to host a lot of business meetings, it has large conference rooms.

Among Vienna's 5-star hotels, I prefer the Grand across the street from the Imperial. It just "clicked" with me more than the others. I have no experience with the Bristol.

I would like to try to Palais Residenz Coburg one day...the next door brothel wouldn't bother me, it's not as if high priced escorts have never been seen in the Imperial or the Sacher ;-)

Hello Schrink:

I would like to second the choice of the Bristol. It is directly across the street from the State Opera and convenient to most of the other attractions. Wonderful staff at the front desk who will help with tix to Spanish Riding School, etc.. We spent Christmas there a few years ago and will return this year at the same time. Good luck. Gradyghost

One last question, and I don't want to overthink this (as is my nature... trust me, I'm really trying to work on it!):

I have been hearing about The Ring Hotel, a sister property of the Grand, located directly across from the Opera House. Apparently, it just opened this past autumn. Does anyone have experience with this place? It is considered 5-star "casual" luxury, a little more modern in decor, larger rooms (45 sq meters vs 30 sq meters), and nearly $1500 cheaper than the Imperial and the Sacher for the same length of time. Any thoughts?

I can't thank you all enough for all of your very helpful advice.

It looks very nice, but a little too much white for my taste and a little too modern in style. Owned by the same people who own the more traditional Grand (I mentioned that above, one of my favorite hotels).

The Grand is sold out for our time period