Review of Grand Hotel Wien 5*

This was the first 5-star luxury hotel on Kärntner Ring, and was often frequented by famous figures in Vienna throughout its history. If you are looking for an experience reminiscent of 18-19th century Vienna, this hotel should be a good fit. For the price, the value is insanely good. The hotel’s amenities are certainly not as complete as say, the Four Seasons, but what it does have it does very well. The rooms are GORGEOUS, and the spa features both a sauna and steam room. Service was professional and extremely attentive to details. The history of this place is rich and impressive, and the service lives up to its legacy. I’d say that the lobby is not as “grand” or fancy as other more expensive hotels in the city, but they really make the most out of what they have. For instance, imperial red draperies outside the entrance evoke a sense of grandness that is not present in the entrances of other hotels like the Imperial. A few small details that slightly tarnished the “grand hotel” mirage: the upholstery of the bar on the right of the lobby is on the older side, and aesthetic style could use a refresh. Likewise with the outdoor seating. The chinaware used for tea in the bar was a modern European white ceramic — I realize this is being very picky — but I might have expected something more refined, or perhaps more decorated for a hotel of this style and history. Finally, the presence of a shopping center seen through the glass doors by the elevators into the rooms broke a bit of the privacy. But once you went upstairs into the residential area, it felt very private and elegant. Not a single complaint there. The room and the service was stellar. Generally, I was very impressed with how they were able to preserve the grandness of the hotel (and both keep costs reasonable, and business economically viable), but also make do with the limited space of an early 19th century property.