Jason E.
Yelp
We had an exceptional but admittedly privileged stay at the Hotel Bristol. We were here to attend the invite-only Vienna FilmBall in 2013 as Starwood Hotel's special guests. We were upgraded to one of the hotels finest suites, and given the world for the duration of our stay. The staff, from beginning to end, was eternally friendly and helpful, prompt and courteous, accommodating and forgiving. The generosity of Hotel Bristol, and Vienna, cannot be overstated.
First, the basics: the hotel is well situated within walking distance to many of Vienna's highlights, not the least of which is its location next-door to the world-famous opera house. The interior is classically elegant. Big sweeping staircase, wood paneling, an adorable tiny old school elevator. This hotel is full of unique touches that let you know you're somewhere special. By contrast, our Bristol Suite was classically modern. Beautifully appointed with black marble in the entry bathroom and white marble in the master bathroom, beautiful dark wood floors, and automatic window shades. It even had a sound system to play music throughout the room, which we jammed out to while getting dressed and pumped up for the ball.
Here, it's also about the little tings. For example, in preparation for the ball, I sent my pleated tuxedo shirt to housekeeping to be pressed. It remains to this day, the only time my tuxedo shirt has been appropriately and perfectly pressed. Only in Vienna, a city known for its high-society events, is this possible. I know this is a small thing, but it is the small things that matter, and they matter very much at Hotel Bristol. I've worn my black-tie attire in no fewer than three other cities in the world, and I've never had my shirt pressed as well as it was in Vienna.
Another small thing that's exceptionally thoughtful? The housekeeping service brings its service carts into the room while they're working. No more dodging carts in the hotel corridors or loud vacuuming with guests's doors propped open for the world to see everyone's unmentionables! It's a subtle and wonderfully quiet change. Well done.
Austria is the only country I've visited where I believed I could be accepted as a native son. Others allow integration into the culture but interaction often lacks an unspoken, intangible, but fundamental element which prevents complete assimilation into local culture. Here the intangibles don't exist. Vienna and Hotel Bristol welcomes you fully and completely and it is marvelous. Visit Vienna, and stay at Hotel Bristol.