IC Vienna

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive? Booked the cheapest entry level and received a five category upgrade to a King Junior Suite Club Lounge Access City View with not a CSU mention to be heard. Yippee!

How are the rooms? Large, in the corner of the building. For those who know the hotel, one side looked over the skating rink, (which was a sandpit for a volleyball competition), and the other side looked onto the Ritz Carlton. Comfortable bed with two single duvets. Long sofa and two armchairs around a coffee table. Desk with plenty of sockets. TV on a rotating stand so easily directed to face the bed or sofa. There was a healthy pot plant in the seating area, this was six or seven feet tall. Separate dressing room, with robes and slippers. The minibar was also in the dressing room. It was empty and there was a note asking guests to contact reception for it to be filled to your preference. No need owing to free two year lounge pass. Nespresso machine plus a kettle with assorted branded capsules, teabags and hot chocolate. Carpet was stained. Bathroom had a window which was great. Byredo amenities which weren’t bolted down, lav in a separate room, and a shower over the bath. There was a nylon shower curtain……

How is the exec. lounge? Pleasant with friendly staff, offering light breakfast, curly sandwiches for afternoon tea, and longer than usual happy hour from 5.30 to 8, where a substantial meal (chicken curry and veggie lasagne on full sized dinner plates) was served. On the first day I chose full breakfast in the restaurant and on the second I ate light breakfast in the lounge, still with eggs to order menu. No champers but plenty of other options, inc. fizz at breakfast to make mimosas for anyone with alcoholic tendencies like my own. Lounge staff were really helpful, I borrowed a charger for my phone and they also called me the evening before I left to ask if I needed any assistance with onward travel arrangements.

What was good and what was bad? Good - the generosity was palpable, especially my suite upgrade and double welcome amenities plus chocolate left, right and centre. On arrival I was greeted by name and welcomed back at check in, where I was given three large foil wrapped chocolates. In the suite, the Ambassador welcome gift was another large foil wrapped chocolate and a Gugelhupf, a typical Viennese cake. These were well presented on a slate with white chocolate piping. No fruit, I nabbed some plus more chocs in the club lounge. There were also two large bottles of mineral water. The turndown pillow treat was a fennel teabag with a cute note about counting sheep. I received both 600 points and a voucher for cocktails as my Diamond welcome amenity. Late check out was proactively offered. I used my €15 Ambassador allowance for a slab of Sachertorte and a drink. Handy for the metro, with a station opposite the hotel. Cost to the airport was <£4.



Bad - suite was a bit tired, eg stained carpet, nylon shower curtain, hole in the net curtain, marks on the walls etc. Refurbishment is due, methinks. There was a sign at breakfast warning folk not to leave phones and bags unattended as they might get taken. Yikes!

Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return? Paid £173 a night. The suite upgrade was selling for £493 a night. Loved it and will be staying again, on our next trip to Vienna.