Mercure Vienna First

The weird combo of pillows so soft they’re non-existent, a mattress so hard your ribs hurt in the morning and single duvets on a double bed that aren’t big enough to cover a grown man individually. Also there was some mix up at booking that should have been easily ironed out but when we tried to discuss this with receptionist she was so rude and dismissive - wouldn’t even entertain letting us discuss it with a manager. Hotel was including breakfast but only for one half of the couple! So one free, one paying €23 for breakfast a day?!? Clearly just burying the price of two in that. We did it - once. So take our tip and skip breakfast here: it’s an uninviting buffet of not-quite mix of offerings to make a meal served in the atmosphere of a library during a funeral. (That said, the breakfast team were the friendliest staff at this hotel). Location was good, ensuite was good, but bed comfort and friendliness sorely lets it down.

Very nice hotel situated right in the junction between a peaceful maze of old town streets, the glitzy but also historic centre, and the more rough-and-ready party zone. We stayed here a few nights for a celebratory weekend and very much enjoyed ourselves. The staff were invariably friendly and helpful (although somewhat oddly, I don't think we ever saw the same person twice). We had an excellent room (suite) on the top floor, very nicely appointed and very clean and tidy. The bed was impressively comfortable. For once, the shower was actually positioned high enough for a tall-ish man (6'4") to use it without squatting, although some ducking to avoid exit signs was required in teh hallways. The windows (fairly high velux-type) opened in three different directions for excellent airflow, although in the evenings the nearby streets, packed with bars and revellers, could get a little rowdy for some tastes (closing the windows blocked the sound pretty much completely). Incredibly handy for just about anything you could want, and no more than a 10-15 minute walk from most of Vienna's main attractions. Didn't try the breakfast as it seemed a little pricey, and we were mostly off meeting friends at nearby cafes anyway, but did try the bar one evening only to learn that it closed for new business at 11pm, ruling out a post-opera nightcap. Confusingly close to another Mercure where our cab dropped us off, but literlly a one-minute walk. Will be our first choice next time we're in the city.

This hotel is located near the scene of a terrorist attack in November 2020, and the area is still patrolled by soldiers. That probably makes it extra safe, but cars are unable to drive up to the hotel. It can be reached on foot without climbing stairs if approached from Stephansplatz, Brandstatte, Kramergasse, Hoher Markt and Judengasse. We won't be returning to this hotel. The decor is dark and gloomy, and the lighting in the rooms is poor. On arrival we found the safe locked and the TV handset didn't work. We weren't told that the soft drinks and water in the minibar were included in the room rate, so we wasted money buying our own from Billa. The buffet breakfast was dull and not particularly appetising. The good points:- 1. Like most hotels in Austria, it was very clean. 2. Our room (431) was quiet and not affected by street noise. 3. It is only a five-minute walk from a fabulous restaurant, Griechenbeisl. 4. Richard in reception kindly spent a considerable amount of time trying (unsuccessfully) to help us to redeem our Accor points.

The location was just a short walk from everything. The room was spacious and nice, and the breakfast was really good! The people working at the hotel was really nice, and when we arrived, we got a question if we wanted to attend a free guided tour in Vienna the next morning. We accepted and had a really nice informative tour in the streets of Vienna with a really nice tour-guide. In the evening we wanted to have goulash-dinner and asked the young man in the reception for recommendation of a restaurant that had good goulash. He gave us three alternates, and we picked the first one. The recommendation was excellent, and we ended up having the best dinner. At check-out they ordered a taxi for us, and all together our stay at the hotel was the best! Would definitely stay her if we ever visit Vienna again!

A most pleasurable stay in a location perfectly situated for Innere Stadt. Checking in was very welcoming and helpful. The room was fine and clean and with the possibility of making coffee and tea. Breakfast is very good and fresh - and the service is impeccable. I can only recommend it.