lkuby

Stayed at the Hotel Bristol last summer and received a platinum upgrade to a Jr suite on the top floor. Twas beauteous! Wonderful balcony overlooking the Opera House (ask for an Opera House view).

Starwood properties in Europe do the amenity kit far better than in the states. At the Bristol we received a fruit platter, mineral water, and bottle of expensive champagne.

The Club Lounge (complimentary breakfast, etc) is a nice benefit too, only it was always filled with businessmen and smoke-filled while we were there.

Word of warning from a former pastry chef (me). Avoid the Sacher Torte at the Hotel Sacher (and at most places in Vienna). It's very dry and unremarkable. Mine's much better!

RTWSTARALLIANCE

Can someone advise on transport from VIE to Westin Bristol in Vienna? Advise on travel time please. Also any recent experiences as a P checking in? Any other advice items appreciated. Thanks

bagold

Just came back from VIE. I took the airport taxi to the hotel. Since it was after rush hour it only took 20 minutes. Best thing is to call C&K airport service ahead of time as they are the cheapest. I didn't know about that until after I arrived but I did take them back to the airport.

C&K phone number is :01-44 444

In terms of P check-in, I had to call about the amentity from the room. They gave me a bottle of water, fruits and a bottle of champagne. In terms of room, I got a room on the top floor (6th) which I think are the bigger ones. I liked the room. Nice decor, small balcony, BOSE radio, CD player (with CDs provided in the room) and a DVD player all in one.

Service was great. I will definitely go back again.

[This message has been edited by bagold (edited 04-21-2003).]

2TallSeaFlyer

If you're looking for the cheap way to get from the airport to the Hotel Bristol, find the train station in VIE (it's pretty well marked), take S7 into the city (I believe it runs every 30 minutes, perhaps better now), get off at "Wien Mitte - Landstrasse", transfer to U4 heading to Huetteldorf (U4 is the green line at Landstrasse), go 2 stops to Karlsplatz/Oper stop. The Bristol is right across from the Opera House, and it's about a 3 minute walk from the U4 stop to the Hotel. Fare should be around $4, instead of much more for the taxi.

Instead of S7, there's also a bus that takes you to Wien Mitte (City Air Terminal) which is right outside of the Landstrasse U4 stop. The bus comes every 20 minutes and it's a little faster than the train. Personally, I prefer the train.

Hope that helps!

2TallSeaFlyer

Forgot to add, the train should be around 30-40 minutes, including walking time, but not waiting time. If you're going during rush hour, the train is competitive with a cab. Otherwise, the cab is the quickest way to go.

If you can read german, the site to read schedules is:

http://www.wienerlinien.at/wl/wlinie...753091&ctt=2&r id=-1073753091&oid=1073756456&ctt=2

Good Luck!

claes059

On the 6th of December I had an award stay in this hotel. Despite the hotel was fully booked they upgraded me to a Penthouse Junior Suite!! Check in was smoothly and friendly. The receptionist could even speak Dutch , since her parents were from Holland! She handed out a map of Vienna in Dutch!
The suite was wonderful, large and with all the comforts you can expect from a junior suite in a *****hotel. See my pics : http://www.e-traveller.net/pics/2003/vie-bristol.php
On arrival there were some fruits and chocolates. A coffee & tea maker were available. The view was terrific, when standing on the small balcony I could see the Opera House. (see my pics).
The cafe of the Bristol was modern and had a friendly atmosphere. I had lot’s of coffee and cake here In the evening I had dinner in the restaurant Sirk. The view was pretty nice, view on the Opera house, and the personnel was very friendly. Quality of the food was good.
All in all a comfortable stay in the Briston hotel.
There is distinct difference between this hotel and the Imperial hotel, the Imperial is i.m.o. more luxurious and impressive.
See my pics : http://www.e-traveller.net/pics/2003/vie-bristol.php

RTWSTARALLIANCE

Sorry if this has been covered before. Can someone please comment on transport from VIE to the Westin Bristol? I arrive into VIE at 8:20 AM. I need to be back at VIE to meet a 4:30 PM flight arriving from ATH. So I am hoping to get checked in and walk around doing some shopping and sightseeing. Then back to VIE to meet this flight. Comments please. Also. Can I take a train from VIE to Salzburg? Thanks

cathaana

You can take the fast airport express (CAT) which is fairly expensive (I think around 10 Euro).
The bus costs approx 6 Euro (you buy the ticket in the arrival hall) and takes about 20 minutes to downtown Vienna (Schwedenplatz).
The train (S-Bahn) costs even less and takes about 25 minutes to Stadtmitte.
With either of the latter two options, you can than take the underground to Karlsplatz or Oper (they are connected). The Bristol is right next to the exit Oper.

Shareholder

VIE has a RR station from which you can catch trains to other cities, as well as into the centre of the city, Wien Sudbahnhoff (Ost). The train into the city runs hourly, at 4 minutes past the hour, though this may have changed since last year. From this RR station, you can take a cab to the Ring where the Bristol is located, or you can take the U-bahn to the Karlsplatz stop. This requires a transfer, but it is a short two block walk from here. Easier is to take the D-tram from outside the RR station.

Even better, there is an airport bus service that runs to the City Air Terminal at the Hilton [Bahnhof Wien Mitte], from which you can take the U-bahn (U4) to the same Karlsplatz stop, or catch a cab. The Hilton is about a mile away from the Bristol, on the other side of the StatsPark.

NorthernAtlanticRacer

Although more expensive than the CAT or the bus, it has one major advantage, if you are on a tight schedule: you usually can make the driver do the drive to the hotel as a little sightseeing trip. Last time I was there - Imperial in January, with Mrs NARacer - this worked very well. We had a bit of time, and a little tip, made for a very enjoyable trip. Plus, you earn Points, if you bill it through the room.

Non-NonRev

The website for the CAT is at:

http://www.cityairporttrain.com/content/catfacts_EN.php

The bus mentioned above to the Mitte station costs €5,80 each way.

Since all options take you through Mitte, the S-Bahn is very useful unless time is of the absolute essence. As mentioned avbove, take Line 7 from the Airport to Mitte, and transfer to the U-Bahn (U4) for the short trip to Karlsplatz (it's only two stops away from Mitte).

The website for the Wiener Linien (Transit System) is at:

http://www.wienerlinien.at/wl/wlini...e/guestHome.jsp

Route map at:

http://www.wienerlinien.at/WienerSta...WNLOAD/SVP.pdf


Keep in mind that you can purchase a one-day unlimited visitor's ticket for the transt system for €5,- (a three-day unlimited ticket is €12,-)

Non-NonRev

Sorry, forgot the Wien-Salzburg question.

Depending on the train type, direct (no change of trains needed) take from 2 hrs 45 minutes to 3 hrs 20 minutes.

One-way fares are about €57,- in 1.class or €37,- in 2.class

Keep in mind that trains for Salzburg depart from and arrive at the WESTBAHNHOF, rather than the SUDBAHNHOF.

Here is the english version of the OBB website, where you can check schedules and fares:

http://www.oebb.at/en/index.html

Jet2K

We were originally planning to take the train from Salzburg to Vienna, but found out that we can do a one day car rental with no drop charges. Got the Budget rental car delivered to the Sheraton Salzburg for free, and took about 3 hours door to door arriving in our hotel in Vienna. The rental charge was about 100 euros, including CDW at about 30 euros/day.

For two or more persons, this is certainly a viable option to the train; you also get to use the car in both cities for just a one day rental.

Raffles

Note that the CAT train from the airport to Vienna only goes twice an hour - 06 and 36 (07 and 37 going back). Time your walk to the platform so that you only arrive five minutes before it goes - the platforms are cold and windy and there are few places to sit. If you've just missed one when you arrive in the arrivals hall, you are better staying up there and having a coffee for 15 minutes. On the other hand, don't dawdle in arrivals if one is about to go! Give yourself 5-6 mins (assuming no heavy luggage) to get to the train from arrivals.

RTWSTARALLIANCE

Directions. From arrival go down to the basement of VIE. Look for the S Bahn escalator down. A 24 hour ticket was 5 euros. Stamp in machine to begin use. Take the S7 to Wien Mitte. When you exit you can take the lift down to the U platforms. Take line U4 towards Karlsplatz. When you exit it will be a little walk via shops to the exit. The one right near the front entrance to the Bristol is not marked Opera. Rather Karntner Ring. Take it up. You are here.

I arrived early from MUC. Too early. So my upgraded room/suite was not ready. I took a single and it was a single in the mean time. Just given large room on 6th (highest) floor. Not suite IMHO. The room already had bottled water, fruits and some other stuff with a walk out balconey. Nice dated room. No high speed connection as I noted in room.

I am in the business center which is different than before. Seems to be self serve now. When you arrive into center call the front desk. They will ask your name and room number. They say they will send someone to log you in with password. No one came. So I did it myself by opening ie and clicking connect. Seems to be highspeed but looked like it would be a modem connection. 5 euros. Have no idea if that is for a session or day.

There is no Club lounge. So that becomes a minus. I remember it being staffed by a nice friendly lady on my last trip.

I was going to pay for this stay. I am now on cash and points. What a deal. 4000 SPG points and $60 US. A great bargain. Enjoy.