Originally Posted by
joachimm
For a first time visitor, I would recommend the Park Hyatt for location. Depending on the time of year, there may be a Market (xmas/easter/others) on Am Hof right in front of the hotel, which is a treat. And you are really in the middle of everything, about 10 minute walk to most sights (except the Belvedere...). You can really just wander around and explore without a plan.
I've done both, and it's just a bit more coordination when you are staying at the Andaz, e.g. if you are traveling with others that might need to go back to the hotel for a rest. I also felt at the Andaz you could be staying anywhere in Europe, the surroundings are pretty generic. At the PH you know you are in Vienna.
But yes, the trams are easy to pick up and get you to the Ringstrasse very quickly, it's a relatively small area, nothing like the cities you mentioned.
I'll put it this way. When I went for the Christmas Markets with my wife, we stayed at the PH. When I went with my Son to hit a few museums and wurstelstands, we stayed at the Andaz and both were great for the type of trip I was on.
Two tips: check out Ferstel Passage and the Wien (City History) Museum at Karlsplatz
I cannot disagree with your thoughts for a first time visitor kind of agree depending.......... prob worth a few nights
Clean comfortable modern upscale and yes generic work for me
I'm the ugly American staying at Andaz and W in Prague etc
Guess the need for authenticity reflecting on historical past is a personal decision.There isn't a right or wrong answer
I am going to go out on a limb and say The Park Hyatt Vienna is overpriced and the Andaz Vienna offers superior value
If cost is not any consideration and the slightly better location and historical appeal is a must have I get it.
Ubers can take you wherever you need in minutes fair enough at either hotel.
While opinions will certainly vary I found the breakfast to be superior @ Andaz for my tastes.
Even a salad with chicken was vastly superior @ Andaz @ lunch.Park messed it up badly last visit.
I'm food centric so I take dining seriously.Even an omelet was poor @ the Park.
Other
Despite the beautiful historic beauty of the Park Hyatt I also found fault on all stays with stuffy hot hallways
That is a personal pet peeve of mine in any hotel or residence especially during summer when
there was no ventilation at all.I feel sorry for the hard working housekeepers.
And the same problem extended to my suite highly uncomfortable.
I know I'm a weird one in that I travel with a digital handheld
room temperature thermometer to know exactly what degree of problem exists.I run warm 12 months out of the year
My Park Hyatt suite was near 78 degrees(other sections varied) and for myself in warm months anything over 72 is uncomfortable
In some hotels you know ownership is messing with energy cutbacks to get extra savings
at the Park Hyatt its hard to tell it could be antiquated hvac or servicing issues??
I like the folks that work at the Park Hyatt but as for myself the honeymoon is over and I'm unlikely to seek
it out again having experienced it on other occasions.But I get its appeal totally and its rich history.
I will say when the Park Hyatt Grand opened and there was a multitude of issues it was still a much better hotel
in all regards especially dining wise
I'm sure fans of the hotel will take me out in the courtyard and whip me lol
When Monique was there at the Park Hyatt I will say you had one of the best GMs ever in any Hyatt worldwide.
She will be missed.The hotel I'm neutral on. It is a magnificent Grand Dame otherwise no denying it and there are some
gorgeous suites in the hotel that I stayed in though typically not the standard suites allocated to Globes unfortunately.