Hotel Bristol, Vienna, Austria [Master Thread]
Aug 25, 2009, 7:48 am
#61
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: YVR
Programs: Hilton*D, Marriott*LG, Hyatt*G
Posts: 6,268
I took my mom a few years ago to Vienna to take her to the Season Ending Vienna Philharmonic Concert at the Musikverein. After hemming and hawing between the Imperial and the Bristol I ended up choosing the Bristol for a 2 night stay using my points. I was able to redeem for a Penthouse Jr. Suite.
At that time I was en route to Gold so I was still a basic member at the time of the stay. We were upgraded to the Prince of Wales Suite on the first floor. The dining room and library were locked off but we still had a palatial 1 BR suite with large bathroom with separate shower and large jacuzzi with gold plated fixtures, mountain-loads of Bulgari toiletries including small bottles of cologne/perfume; a fitness room with Sauna; a large bedroom with wall of closet space.....
Utterly fantastic and one of the most memorable hotel stays ever..... the trip did have an unique "royal" theme as we had just come from London where we were upgraded to the Edward the VII suite at the Cadogan and our next stop after Vienna was Paris where we stayed at the Four Seasons George V......
At that time I was en route to Gold so I was still a basic member at the time of the stay. We were upgraded to the Prince of Wales Suite on the first floor. The dining room and library were locked off but we still had a palatial 1 BR suite with large bathroom with separate shower and large jacuzzi with gold plated fixtures, mountain-loads of Bulgari toiletries including small bottles of cologne/perfume; a fitness room with Sauna; a large bedroom with wall of closet space.....
Utterly fantastic and one of the most memorable hotel stays ever..... the trip did have an unique "royal" theme as we had just come from London where we were upgraded to the Edward the VII suite at the Cadogan and our next stop after Vienna was Paris where we stayed at the Four Seasons George V......
Aug 25, 2009, 12:12 pm
#62
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada
Programs: AC 75K, Hertz President’s Circle, Accor Gold, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 10,068
Very pleased with a recent "stay" here. While it was only for 1 night and we arrived very late the room was nice and the concierge arranged everything for our 1 day express tour of Vienna and charged it to the room. This is what I expect from a concierge at a fine hotel.....very unlike the non-service at the Hilton in Venice which was most frustrating. The fitness room on the top floor is quite nice and bright with good cardio equipment.
Aug 31, 2009, 7:01 am
#64
Join Date: May 2006
Location: ORF
Programs: DL Silver
Posts: 249
question about upgrades
I love these property-specific threads. SO informative.
My wife and I will be spending 5 nights here on an award stay in mid-October. I've got a standard room booked, but after reading about some of the fantastic suites available, I wonder if I should kick in some more points to upgrade the room.
On the other hand, I've always had pretty good upgrade success as a Platinum. Any other Platinums have any thoughts on the likelihood of an upgrade?
My wife and I will be spending 5 nights here on an award stay in mid-October. I've got a standard room booked, but after reading about some of the fantastic suites available, I wonder if I should kick in some more points to upgrade the room.
On the other hand, I've always had pretty good upgrade success as a Platinum. Any other Platinums have any thoughts on the likelihood of an upgrade?
Aug 31, 2009, 7:26 am
#65
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: MUC
Programs: LH Sen // HH Dia; Bonvoy LTTE
Posts: 3,205
The same agent came by and excused again during check-out. As "compensation" the hotel removed some restaurant items from my bill - I was very surprised and pleased.
The standard rooms are quite small (often with a long hallway but less space for luggage) and you may be quite disappointed if you end up in one of these rooms. If an upgraded room is important, then you should avoid the risk to have a small(er) room.
Aug 31, 2009, 7:40 am
#66
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: VCE
Posts: 14,165
I love these property-specific threads. SO informative.
My wife and I will be spending 5 nights here on an award stay in mid-October. I've got a standard room booked, but after reading about some of the fantastic suites available, I wonder if I should kick in some more points to upgrade the room.
On the other hand, I've always had pretty good upgrade success as a Platinum. Any other Platinums have any thoughts on the likelihood of an upgrade?
My wife and I will be spending 5 nights here on an award stay in mid-October. I've got a standard room booked, but after reading about some of the fantastic suites available, I wonder if I should kick in some more points to upgrade the room.
On the other hand, I've always had pretty good upgrade success as a Platinum. Any other Platinums have any thoughts on the likelihood of an upgrade?
This hotel- as others have noted- does an excellent job of upgrading whenever possible- however regular guests tend to book the nicer rooms (moreso in parts of Europe than N. America I find that the nicer rooms tend to be booked by people as there can be a HUGE difference in room categories- particularly at older hnotels). You should enjoy this hotel- it is one of the best in Europe.
Aug 31, 2009, 10:33 am
#67
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,747
A lot of platinums get upgraded to a junior suite, which I find a rather strangely configured room. I'd be inclined ot use the points for the junior suite, in hopes of then getting an upgrade to a suite which is truly a special experience.
Oct 8, 2009, 6:02 am
#68
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 3,106
two potentially useful (for other people also) questions about the Bristol:
1) for the (hopefully rare) times I'll want to use my laptop in room, how much is Internet these days?
2) is breakfast typically included on rates reserved with SPG50's? the only mention of this on the thread is from 2004 (post #26)
1) for the (hopefully rare) times I'll want to use my laptop in room, how much is Internet these days?
2) is breakfast typically included on rates reserved with SPG50's? the only mention of this on the thread is from 2004 (post #26)
Oct 9, 2009, 7:28 am
#70
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: VCE
Posts: 14,165
DJMeatBall- depending on where you room is located in the hotel, you may be able to pick up a local tmobile signal- you can pay with your credit card (15 EUR a day) if that is the case. Please don't ask me to remember which area, I just recall one time I hopped on a t-mobile signal (I think it was coming from the nearby starbucks?? not sure actually) and it was cheaper. Enjoy the Bristol- beautiful hotel!
Oct 9, 2009, 6:27 pm
#71
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YVR
Programs: AC E75, SPG Plat, HH peon-by-choice (ex Gold)
Posts: 8,090
Dec 19, 2009, 4:52 pm
#72
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: UA 1K, SA Gold, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Plat, SPG Gold, IHG Plat, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 523
Exec lounge?
Does the Bristol have a concierge/executive lounge? The Marriott always has my business in Vienna because of this -- but thinking of the Bristol this year. Thoughts?
Sep 4, 2010, 11:42 am
#74
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: Migros Cumulus Platinum Hero
Posts: 1,628
Apr 22, 2011, 4:24 am
#75
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Capetown
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Plat, IHG and Hilton Diamond, LH SEN, BA Gold
Posts: 10,167
I had to say it one day: One of the most impressive hotels in the chain when it comes to Platinum recognition. I stay there maybe two or three times a year and never got anyhow disappointed. I know all of the Opera Suites (last year four nights on a combined two nights BTT and two nights FWN voucher). I just returned from a quick stay on a discounted Edu Rate for a standard room and now I got a one night impression of their Penthouse Suite. Amazing!!