Starwood Preferred Guest - Need reviews on Starwood properties in Austria?

There does not appear to be many threads about the Starwoods in Austria, especially outside of Vienna.

I'm taking my wife there after Christmas for a few days and would love to get your input on the hotels and country in general.

Thanks in advance!

Here are some threads:

How's the Hotel Goldener Hirsch? (http://www.flyertalk.com/pasttalk/ftpasttalk_forum/Forum74/HTML/001444.html)

Vienna Austria- Bristol or Imperial??? (http://www.flyertalk.com/pasttalk/ftpasttalk_forum/Forum74/HTML/001663.html)

Salzburg- Sheraton or Goldner Hirsch ?? (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum74/HTML/003605.html)

Short report on Sheraton Jagdhof and Schloss Fuschl (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum74/HTML/005252.html)

There are only 6 Starwood properties in Austria and all are luxurious to ultra-luxurious ... none are like a normal Sheraton or Westin (five of the 6 are old historic buildings). The two in Vienna are candidates for a "best 20 hotels of the world" list, while the other 4 are in/near Salzburg. One of them (the Goldener Hirsch) regularly makes the 10 best hotels in the world list and has a special charm. They are priced accordingly -- thus the lack of reporting on Flyertalk (though there was some discussion about the Bristol and Imperial, which you can find by doing a search). Each hotel is well worth visiting, and worth the cost if you can afford it (they will be triple the price of the hotels next door, as a general guide). The Imperial is my favourite.

My wife and I have three days in Austria and are hoping to get some ideas as to what to see and do. I think we'd like to get outside of Vienna and see the sights—let me know if you have any ideas—thanks!

Don't know much about the ones outside Vienna, but I stayed at the Bristol last year. It was lovely, though they originally put us in the back on the 2nd floor, which was too noisy and cramped. When I asked for a change, they said "well we have some rooms on 5 but they have that American bed [heavenly bed], I don't know if you'll like them." The rooms on 5 were lovely, like ship cabins on the most luxious cruise ships imagineable.

Our driver in Vienna told us he preferred the Bristol because it was "classy without being too flashy." I'd say that sums it up but he may have just been looking for a better tip. :-)

We will be in Salzburg next week and are staying at the Radisson Aldstadt. Our rate is one half to one third of that of the Goldener Hirsch, and this property is also a 5 star; seems to be a better value. I did e-mail the Goldener Hirsch months ago when I was planning our trip. Unfortunately, I only received a response several weeks later, after I sent 2 follow-up e-mails. I must concur with some of the recent comments. This level of service is not indicative of a top-level property, let alone a top 10 in the world. Perhaps this hotel is living off its past reputation.


<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by number_6:
There are only 6 Starwood properties in Austria and all are luxurious to ultra-luxurious ... none are like a normal Sheraton or Westin (five of the 6 are old historic buildings). The two in Vienna are candidates for a "best 20 hotels of the world" list, while the other 4 are in/near Salzburg. One of them (the Goldener Hirsch) regularly makes the 10 best hotels in the world list and has a special charm. They are priced accordingly -- thus the lack of reporting on Flyertalk (though there was some discussion about the Bristol and Imperial, which you can find by doing a search). Each hotel is well worth visiting, and worth the cost if you can afford it (they will be triple the price of the hotels next door, as a general guide). The Imperial is my favourite. </font>



[This message has been edited by aceflyer2 (edited 12-09-2002).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by SLC2002:
My wife and I have three days in Austria and are hoping to get some ideas as to what to see and do. I think we'd like to get outside of Vienna and see the sights—let me know if you have any ideas—thanks! </font>That isn't much time, but rent a car and drive along the Danube from Vienna to Linz (stay there overnight) then go on to Salzburg. The drive along the Danube is great (can also be bicycled) and has some amazing sights (e.g. a medieval Roman Catholic church that is constructed mostly of human bones). Stay the next night in Salzburg, then drive back to Vienna. If you are ambitious take a side trip from linz to Cesky Krumlov -- an amazing medieval town that never saw the industrial revolution, so it is now an amazing sight. You can also make this trip one-way by flying into Munich, renting a car there and going to Salzburg/Linz/Vienna. It is an easy 2 hour drive from Munich airport to Salzburg (great highway and bypass most of the traffic).
Alternative trip: stay at the Imperial for one night and ask the concierge there to plan out a 2 day trip in the wine country around Vienna, then follow that itinerary for the next 2 days. The concierges at the Imperial are exceptionally good at requests like this and can steer you to some places you wouldn't find otherwise.
Final alternative: take the train towards Zurich (get off somewhere in the Austrian alps). Some magnificent mountain scenery (the whole route takes about 12 hours).
Lots more to see, some a bit disturbing (Mathausen is maintained as a museum, to Austria's credit without white-washing the past), most charming and hospitable. It is nicer outside of Vienna.
(corrected to say Linz -- the town I meant, and not Graz). Graz is worth a visit when the weather is bad in northern Austria, it is a charming country town.
[This message has been edited by number_6 (edited 12-09-2002).]

[This message has been edited by number_6 (edited 12-10-2002).]

Number-6. Graz in the the southeast corner, nowhere close to Salzburg. You might be thinking of Krems or another city on the danube. Drive down Danube through Wachau region is beautiful.

BTW, the Goldener Hirsch is one of my favorite hotels in the world. Absolutely top class. Fantastic location.

A day or two in Salzburg is fine, but if you want to see the surrounding areas, count of 4-5 days.

As for Vienna, at least three days, probably more. I've stayed at Intercontinental and enjoyed it. But if I had starwood points, I probably try the Imperial or Bristol. They both seem great.

Manku

The Goldener Hirsch really is special, and so is the food there ... but it takes a while to work its charms on some people. Not your ordinary luxury hotel.

[This message has been edited by number_6 (edited 12-10-2002).]

We've stayed a few times at Goldener Hirsch and it is absolutely wonderful during Pfingsten. Lots of charm and people dressed in traditional Austrian attire, plays, music, etc... Try one of the oldest restaurants in Europe started by monks in Salzburg, the Stiftskeller St. Peter. We've had some excellent meals there. A nice day trip is Hallstatt. I think you can do salt mine tours and the scenery is breathtaking. The deep lake is pitched against the mountains and you can rent paddleboats to cross the lake and see an old church. Worth the trip. Have a great time!

[This message has been edited by spellbound2 (edited 12-10-2002).]

The Salzburg Sheraton isn't fancy, but it's a tremendously well-run and perfectly located hotel -- not far from the train station and within walking distance of all the major attractions. It's located on the edge of a large park, giving the hotel some breathing room that you won't find at the Goldener Hirsch.
A must-do activity is the "Sound of Music Tour". Even if you're not a fan of the movie, the tour is great fun. Enjoy!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MisterAviator:
The Salzburg Sheraton isn't fancy, but it's a tremendously well-run and perfectly located hotel...</font>


That really depends on your definition of fancy. Though it is a modern mid-rise building rather than traditional, it is certainly "fancier" than most Sheraton or Westin properties. Very high standard of service and I found my standard room (no Gold upgrade) to be exceptionally well furnished compared to business-oriented hotels in the U.S. The Sheraton Salzburg really is an outstanding hotel; I'll stand by my previous assertion that it's one of the best Starwood properties that doesn't carry the St. Regis or Luxury Collection brand.

Thanks for all the advice. How long of drive is it from Vienna to Salzburg? Also I noticed that most of the hotels were full in Vienna, is it possible get a room in the smaller cities without a reservation?

Salzburg-Vienna is a short drive (120 miles, maybe 150 miles with some detours) and part of the route is along the shores of the Danube in stunning scenery (that part of the Danube is very different from the Danube at Vienna!). You can tour without a reservation but the better hotels tend to fill quickly, so don't expect to stay at any of the Starwood properties unless you are Platinum (does the 72 hour room availability also apply in Europe?). There is always room at some guesthouse if you are touring ad hoc (sometimes this makes for the best travel, but there is considerable luck involved).

Goldener Hirscher is an old hotel. THe resteraunt is pricey and doesn't have ac if you go in the summer. I personally don't like the old style hotels. It has a certain character and is quite grand. It also has a giant key that ways about a pound. I would say that its worth at least a night. Its also very very close to Mozart's place.

Any suggestions on best approaches to getting opera/concert tickets in Vienna? They seem to be difficult to come by. I'll be heading to the Bristol in a little less than a month.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by rocky:
Any suggestions on best approaches to getting opera/concert tickets in Vienna? They seem to be difficult to come by. I'll be heading to the Bristol in a little less than a month. </font>

You could try by sending an email to either of the hotels' concierge staff. The email addresses are as follows:

hotel.bristol@westin.com
hotel.imperial@luxurycollection.com

Or, if you are a Platinum member you can call the Platinum Concierge line and have them make inquiries on your behalf.

Sincerely,

William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Cast your vote! Visit www.freddieawards.com (http://www.freddieawards.com) and choose your favorite frequent travel programs today.

Thanks, William. Already working the plat concierge angle ... just wondering if any of the gurus here had insider info.

deleted - please disregard

[This message has been edited by ILUVCITIBANK (edited 02-19-2003).]

Ok, I'm going to jump in with a Bristol question if I may. I'm booked the Opera Suite (over 800 sq/ft - yippee) and the reservation allows up to three people in the room. Does anyone know if it is a pull out couch or do they bring in a role a way bed for the third person? I have my mother in law with us and we want to make sure that she has her privacy http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

I seriously doubt there will be any problems with the room, just curious about the layout. Any insight would be appreciated.

I don't want to bother the hotel with too many questions right now as I can imagine that I will have more than a few for them as the arrival date gets closer in the summer (tickets, tours etc...).

edited to add: the *wood concierge didn't know the answer to this so I came the "other" experts.


[This message has been edited by cattle (edited 02-19-2003).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by cattle:
...edited to add: the *wood concierge didn't know the answer to this so I came the "other" experts.[This message has been edited by cattle (edited 02-19-2003).]</font>

I'm just wondering why they didn't offer to call or email the hotel to ask on your behalf? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

Sincerely,

William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Cast your vote! Visit www.freddieawards.com (http://www.freddieawards.com) and choose your favorite frequent travel programs today.

You know William, I never thought of that. I was just tickled to get the suite. Maybe I will just email the hotel. It's a simple question but I didn't want to trouble them. I guess that's what they are there for http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

rocky, getting tickets for the Opera in Vienna is usually not difficult at all (for instance, I have just booked online 3 tickets for the Opera next Monday. Center Orchestra seats, six rows from the stage) Maybe it is more difficult for some concerts, but not as a general rule. Anyway, the concierge at the Imperial is superb getting anything for you.

If you prefer doing it yourself, use www.wien.at (http://www.wien.at) to find events for the dates you are staying there. Tickets can be booked online at www.culturall.com (http://www.culturall.com) or at the opera or concert halls sites (you'll find the links at wien.com ). This way you can even choose the seats you book.

About the hotels, my exerience at the Imperial last year was probably the best I can remember (and I was only Gold). I'm going back this Friday for five days, and I hope this time being Platinum it will be even better.

Thanks for the info on the opera.

Any ideas about the philharmonic? I'm told it's sold out. And the philharmonic's Web site says that season tickets have a 13-year wait list or something along those lines. Do you know if there is a separate block of tickets for those who just want one performance?

There are two identical performances listed ... one listing the philharmonic as the organizer and the other listing Jeunesse Musicales Austria. Any idea what the difference is?