Review: So Sofitel Vienna Stephansdom
Mar 17, 2017, 11:38 am
If anyone happens to be here (Vienna) at that time, please do let me know if you're up for meeting up for a drink (I'll buy the first round!)
May 3, 2017, 7:29 am
Sofitel Vienna Stephansdom
Praterstrasse 11020 Vienna, AT
The White Suite, aka Junior Suite at Sofitel Vienna (28 Photos)
Sofitel Vienna Stephansdom
I love this hotel for its very modern, minimalist interiors and the excellent location. The views from the rooftop bar are amazing and breakfast, although expensive, is also very good with great quality and variety.
Definitely a hotel to visit when in Vienna for those willing to spend a bit more and that like stark black/white/grey minimalist/modern interior design.
Highly recommended.
Check In
I arrived very early (10 AM) and simply wished to drop off my bag until the room was ready but the friendly staff suggested I also check in and then when the room would be ready they would let me know and bring my bag up to the room for me. Service by the front desk staff and concierge were very good, efficient and friendly.
I did receive a call to inform me the room was ready around 12 noon and when I did arrive (around 3 PM) my key was waiting and my bag was indeed in the room.
No mention was made about the room upgrade but I received a junior suite instead of the luxury room I had booked, a great upgrade given the very full hotel situation in Vienna on that weekend and also given that I was staying for 5 nights.
My stay was a cash booking through Accor website, as a gold member and using some points to reduce the rate. The stay was a flexible rate for Accor members (until 3 days before IIRC), a very welcome option.
Room
I'll let the pictures do the talking for the room. Very nice indeed.
It was a bit of a shock each time to go from a dark grey hallway to the very bright white of the room though...
Housekeeping was amazing and included an evening turndown service with a top up of the fridge juices (free of charge), bath amenities and towels and setting out a lovely herbal tea blended for the hotel.
Service
Very good for the various interactions I had. I did not use the spa however so can't comment on that, nor did I use the concierge after my initial encounter to drop of the bags.
Dining
I had prebooked breakfast, having been before and loving the view from the 18th floor Le Loft Restaurant. (top floor). The view is stunning and the food is very, very good with excellent variety catering to everyone from the healthly minded to the fully cooked calorie bomb seeker.
You do need to reserve though or you won't likely get a table due to the very high demand.
I did use the bar on this floor as well each night and had great service. It was very busy, given the views and the 'status' element of the young and hip so again reserving is recommended.
Location
Excellently located on the edge of the city centre. Well served by the local underground network as well as buses / streetcars. Taxis were available 24/7 outside the door at a taxi stand. Mostly E class Mercs as taxis at this hotel.
I walked almost everywhere or used the underground and it was a great way to see the city. There are two stations very near to the hotel. the main one being Schwedenplatz, about 200-300 m away across the river.
Overall
Highly recommended with only one caveat: there is no lounge and no pool. If these are important to you, look elsewhere or be aware of this. If you dislike modern or stark, monotone colour schemes you also should not stay here.
For all others, a great hotel, good treatment of Accor members and one I look forward to visiting again next year at the latest.
May 3, 2017, 10:34 am
Wonderful upgrade, service and style. Interesting in regards that a reservation is essential for breakfast. That's good to know and was this always the case during your stays so far at this particular hotel?
Again, thanks for your review, well received and appreciated.
Cheers & Safe Travels. ^
May 3, 2017, 11:17 am
I never had problems with getting a table at breakfast there though.
May 3, 2017, 12:15 pm
Wonderful upgrade, service and style. Interesting in regards that a reservation is essential for breakfast. That's good to know and was this always the case during your stays so far at this particular hotel?
Again, thanks for your review, well received and appreciated.
Cheers & Safe Travels. ^
Thanks for the question, I see now that my wording has come across badly so for clarification: If you are a hotel guest, you will definitely get a table for breakfast and also a place to sit in the bar in the evenings without a reservation as hotel guests have priority. My comment was to those that may want to come and enjoy the view for breakfast as a non-resident...for those people a reservation is essential as I have found out when I have stayed elsewhere and have asked if they had space without a reservation. Hope that clarifies the situation. Again, thanks for asking so I could clarify!
I've now seen the white, the grey, the black and the black and white rooms...not sure where I'll be put next time!
Hoping to be back for the Christmas markets at the latest so will possibly seen at that time
BTW: If anyone is interested, this place below (picture of business card) is a great location to go to try some 'Heuriger wine' (current year) and local simple food fare for outstandingly reasonable prices. I have no connection to the place but a friend that grew up local to this venue took me there as it was where her father always liked to go when they lived nearby...Best to get a small 1/4 of each wine (the current harvest (a white wine), the 'typical' Viennese white wine called gruener Veltliner, and a mellow red they also have and then compare and then order a proper litre carafe of the stuff you prefer with some 'soda' (carbonated water) to go with your special Schnitzel (they do a really succulent and smoked local variation on the Schnitzel here). The location is in the 'cottage' area of Vienna of old...(the cottages are massive 5 story houses) where people go to escape the heat of the city in Summer (in centuries past at least)...You can get here by public transport if you wish using the U4 line to one stop before the end (the rubbish incineration work that was decorated by Hunderwasser which is worth a look in its own right) then transferring to the 35A bus to the stop across the street from this place.
Safe travels everyone. ^
Last edited by BotB; May 3, 2017 at 12:22 pm
May 3, 2017, 6:01 pm
May 4, 2017, 5:22 am
Vienna is truly a city that still embodies high service standards everywhere, which make it a true joy to visit. ^^
I know the feeling about not getting home much...25 years is shocking though!
I've not lived in Canada for over 20 years but I do tend to get back every couple of years at least (or my mother would disown me!) Safe travels everyone.
Jan 12, 2018, 12:40 pm
If anyone happens to be here (Vienna) at that time, please do let me know if you're up for meeting up for a drink (I'll buy the first round!)
Anyone around during that time and interested in meeting up? I'll buy the first round in the rooftop bar...
Apr 5, 2018, 4:28 pm
Would be great to get a newly done room, regardless of class of the room...was a bit disappointed to get a NOR1 email with 'upgrade' options which were:
-high floor for Euro 20
-late check out for Euro 118 (5 night stay! may be of use to some but not to me this time around)
-corner room for Euro 34
No mention of an actual category upgrade to one of the suites (as of today the jnr/ black and prestige suites are all available but not offered as part of this NOR1 marketing....
Will report back in any case, looking forward to my stay starting Sunday!
Safe travels, appreciate any info anyone might have. ^
Apr 6, 2018, 11:28 am
Apr 6, 2018, 12:33 pm
i have noted some new photos of the white suites on TA from Accor so maybe they have indeed done the white rooms at least.
I’ll ask in any case and report back.
safe travels everyone.
Apr 7, 2018, 4:09 am
Safe travels,
Apr 8, 2018, 10:57 pm
Arrived around 2 PM and staff very friendly and helpful. Room was clean but not yet inspected I was told so left bag and had to go out anyway. No upgrade as the hotel was fully booked for the span I was staying (which was true as I had been watching this). Some rooms open up later this week, not too bothered as I had booked a luxury room and received the same which is still a lovely room. Great views to the Stephansdom and the room is a bit bigger than some of the luxury rooms I saw and posted back a year or two ago.
The room is renovated in so far that the room looks new and there are subtle changes to details, generally still the same style and room. I'll post pictures a bit later, very nice room. ^
Looking forward to the incredible views and stunning breakfasts here this week, Le Loft bar was still very good last night and remains popular.
Nespresso machine in the room is now the flat disc type pod rather than the 'home' capsules.
The interior of the wardrobe is now a really soft alcantara type material and a funky striped design...
A couple of apples and a small plate of sweets delivered to the room with a lovely note welcoming me back. ^
Safe travels.
