Back in December I escaped the dreary grey British weather along with my Mum by heading east to the colder yet brighter climes of the Austrian capital. The trip provided a much needed pre-Christmas break and a chance to get into the festive mood by visiting the atmospheric markets and of course, sampling all sorts of mulled drinks and spiced biscuits, as well as a chance for me to meet up with a friend of mine from university. Our trip to Vienna was short but sweet, and we were very lucky to be staying at one of Vienna’s best hotels – The Intercontinental.
ON ARRIVAL
After a relatively late arrival into Vienna International Airport, we eventually made it to the hotel. We were grateful when we emerged from the underground (Stadpark) to see the bright lights of the Intercontinental just across the street, welcoming us to our ‘home’ for the next few nights. As we walked up the red carpeted steps and entered the lobby it was clear that the hotel’s interior was meant to impress. Illuminated with huge chandeliers the classic design imparted a sense of space, and the style, interior décor and furnishings hinted at a stately ambiance that matched the city outside.
Checking into our room was incredibly quick and painless (which was much appreciated at 11pm!) and we were even more delighted when we were informed that we had been upgraded to a suite on the 11th floor, overlooking the Stadtpark.
On the ground floor of the hotel lies the hotel reception and concierge desk, along with Café Vienna, which serves hot drinks and a range of eatables, the Intermezzo Bar, a glamourous American bar, as well as the Parlor, the hotel’s restaurant and breakfast room offering Viennese and Austrian specialities.
THE ROOM: JUNIOR SUITE
There is something particularly thrilling when staying at a new hotel. The exhilarating moment when you swipe your key-card or unlock the door to see what lies behind – our room at the Intercontinental certainly didn’t disappoint. Our junior suite was extremely spacious, with over 50 square metres for us to settle into.
Our ‘humble’ junior suite had everything you would expect and need from a 5 star hotel – from a Nespresso machine, a kettle with assorted teabags for that all important morning cuppa, to fluffy white robes and luxurious lotions and potions. The suite was separated into four distinct spaces; the hallway and adjoining cloakroom with safety deposit box, mini-fridge, drawers and hanging space; a reception room with TV, seating and that all important desk; the roomy bedroom (and a second tv); and finally, the bathroom.
The large bathroom offered both a shower and a bath, and was stocked up with complimentary items such as a toothbrush, toothpaste and mouthwash, as well as the usual beautifying kits of cotton buds, nail files etc, and even a grooming set if you happened to leave behind your razor! What more could you possible need?
I feel that I must also mention the fantastic view that we had from our window out over the Stadtpark and beyond to the inner city. I couldn’t resist taking some snaps both in the dark and during daylight to capture the panoramic view.
THE LOCATION
The Intercontinental is extremely well located for getting out and exploring Vienna and it didn’t take us long to come to that conclusion! The hotel sits right on the edge of the picturesque Stadtpark and is only a short walk from the Ringstrasse which skirts the historic inner city. As mentioned before, the underground stop is directly across the street and links the Stadtpark area with the rest of the city and suburbs. Should you need to travel further afield, the closest regional train station is just a 5 to 10 minute walk around the corner at Landstrasse/ Wien Mitte from where you can also catch the City Airport Train (CAT).
THE VERDICT
Our short stay at The Intercontinental Vienna was wonderful from start to finish and it was the cherry on top of the cake for our trip – I mean there’s nothing better than coming back to a beautiful room and plush bed with fresh cotton sheets after a night in the cold winter’s air, right? The lavish interiors, fantastic service and scrumptious breakfast buffet made my stay very memorable and gave me the feeling of being well looked after, extremely comfortable and the sense of being a valued guest.
I must also mention the very friendly staff and concierge members who did their utmost to welcome us during our stay at the hotel and provided us with useful information to ensure we got the most out of our time in the city.
So, if you are thinking of booking a luxurious short break in Vienna, I would thoroughly recommend The Intercontinental – you will not be let down!
What did you think of my Intercontinental hotel review? Have you recently enjoyed a stay there yourself, or would you consider it for an upcoming trip to Vienna?
If you want to know anything else about the hotel or if you enjoyed this post, please leave me a comment in the box below and let me know!
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**Cover image courtesy of IHG.
2 comments
I’m staying at the Intercontinental Vienna in just two short weeks, so this was a really lovely read as it’s clear that I’ve made a good choice! The views from the room look incredible 🙂 x
Hi Ayushi – great choice! It’s a fab hotel and so well located for getting around the city. The breakfast is great too – so much choice! Have a wonderful time and if you have any questions at all, do feel free to ask away 🙂 Victoria x