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Hotel Imperial, Luxury Collection, Vienna, Austria [Master Thread]

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Hotel Imperial, Luxury Collection, Vienna, Austria [Master Thread]

Old Mar 26, 2002, 6:18 am
  #1  
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Arrow Hotel Imperial, Luxury Collection, Vienna, Austria [Master Thread]

Going on Thursday to the Hotel Imperial in Vienna. We have booked a Deluxe room, with 2 Twins(joint as K). Only Gold status, with a "Taste of Luxury" rate (Breakfast included and 4th night free). What can we expect? Do you know this kind of room there? Do they provide you with bathrobes/slippers, or should we take our own?
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Old Mar 26, 2002, 9:49 am
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Stayed at the Imperial last September (the 7th-9th- the last days of a different era).

As a gold on a free weekend I was given a large room with twin beds and a nice view. The blinds on the window were motorized- a surprise. Large bathroom with shower and tub.

They had slippers (embroidered with "Hotel Imperial- Wien") and I assume that they had bathrobes, too, but I don't specifically recall.

Only "problem" was that I didn't notice that even local calls were ~ 1 EURO a minute and ran up a huge phone bill using my modem.
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Old Mar 26, 2002, 5:39 pm
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The Imperial Torte is a must! I brought one back as a gift for another chocoholic, and the family loved it. Comes in a wooden box with a wax seal. Stayed at The Bristol 2 years ago, and loved it! It was our anniversary and the front desk manager gave us an Imperial Torte. They have a room set up for breakfast and tea, and the staff are very friendly and help with last-minute opera tickets or anything else you may suddenly want to do. We had a really nice tea at the Imperial, so try and squeeze it in.
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Old Mar 26, 2002, 6:59 pm
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by aleksir:
While we're talking about Vienna, I couldn't get the free weekend at the Imperial so I'm booked at the Bristol. Anyone have any experiences ?

thanks,

</font>
Some rooms at the Bristol are nicer than some rooms at the Imperial, but the opulent suites at the Imperial are in a class by themselves (however these would not be available for upgrade and are expensive to match their lavishness). The Bristol would generally have nicer rooms and greater chance for an upgrade. At one time the Bristol was considered to be a better hotel than the Imperial (before it's refurbishment), and it has an arguably better restaurant (as well as historic ties to the musical establishment in Vienna). Have no fear, you are still staying at one of the top-20 city hotels in the world.

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Old Apr 2, 2002, 3:26 pm
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Hi all. Just back from Vienna and Hotel Imperial. Great city, and great hotel with excellent service!

The only "problem" was we had to request the upgrade (as Gold) to get it. Upon arrival, we were accompanied to our room by the lady at the reception desk. We found there a welcome letter and a nice basket of fruit. The room (a "deluxe" one) seemed to me rather small and not so much "deluxe", so I went back downstairs and, in the most polite form, asked if we had been upgraded in any way. The lady, without saying anything, just looked at the computer, and in a few seconds took a key and got me to another room to see if I liked this one. This was a very nice room and told her how pleased I was with this one. She said that it was an "Imperial Junior Suite", and that the reason we hadn't been upgraded was that they only did it depending on availability upon arrival (it doesn't actually explain why they didn't it automatically , but anyway they did it and quite fast when required). Our luggage was moved in a couple of minutes (and also the fruit basket). The room was provided with bathrobes and slippers, an umbrella and a Radio-Cd-equipment with even some Cds (all classical music).
Each night we found in the room some chocolates and two bottles of mineral water. On Saturday, we also found a charming plate full of easter eggs (both boiled painted eggs and chocolate eggs).
Every day we had the required wake-up call made by the concierge in our own language. The concierge also arranged all our reservations for dinners (one of them at the Korso Restaurant - Hotel Bristol...very good restaurant with one Michelin star) and tickets.
Room service was also fast and excellent (in fact, service was outstanding in every sense).
Of course, we went to a good concert, to the Opera ("Parsifal"), to the Spanish Riding School..and we tasted the Imperial Torte (and have brought several for friends, etc).

So....wonderful hotel in an unbeatable location. We'll go back to Vienna as soon as we can, and I'm sure the Imperial will be our first option there.
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Old Apr 2, 2002, 4:44 pm
  #6  
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flbrs, how was the Imperial Torte?

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Specialist, E-Communications Department
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]
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Old Apr 2, 2002, 5:11 pm
  #7  
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The Imperial Torte was much much better than the famous Sacher Torte, William. Not the best thing for a diet, but perfect for a holiday! We've brought 3 Imperial Tortes with us (for family, friends and people in my office).... and the risk is they can deliver it to your door at almost any country, so ...maybe the Kg will remain
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Old Apr 2, 2002, 6:48 pm
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by fljbrs:
The room (a "deluxe" one) seemed to me rather small and not so much "deluxe", </font>
Was it an inside room (facing the hotel interior and not the street)? By "not so much deluxe" do you mean less lavish fabric and upholstery, or just due to its small size? The Imperial used to be notable for having a few smaller rooms that were lavishly furnished -- just smaller, and cheaper. Note that smaller in this case means a normal size ... some of their suites are incredibly big, I still remember a corner suite with 3 chandeliers (including in the bathroom, which was more than huge, it was about 40 square meters just for the bathroom!). It is a memorable hotel and conveys a fine sense of history and of Vienna.
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Old Apr 3, 2002, 12:44 pm
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It was an exterior room (#207), and it was not actually too small, but it was not what I'd have considered "deluxe, spacious with comfortable siiting-area/sofa, etc". The (quite small) sofa was everything but comfortable, too much close to the bed, and there was no properly called "sitting area" from my point of view. Decoration was ok, and I would have thought it to be a nice room if I wouldn't have read its description. Anyway, my overall impression is that the Imperial is in fact a memorable hotel, with more than excellent service and I'll have no doubt returning there as soon as I can go back to Vienna.
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Old Jan 11, 2004, 3:59 am
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Hotel Imperial, Vienna [Master Thread]

I stayed for one night here on the evening of the 5th December. See my pics of my stay: http://www.e-traveller.net/pics/2003/vie-imperial.php
In Holland and Austria we celebrate Sinterklaas. This Sinterklaas is seen as a Saint from Spain and is accompanied with Zwarte Piet, black men who are the helpers of the Saint. They arrive in November with a boat from Spain..
The Saint will deliver packages and sweets to the children who where good, and of course who was not a good boy of girl there are no package or sweets.
The Birthday of the Saint is on the 5 th of December. Adults can celebrate this too and give each other packages and poems.

On the site of Flyer Talk many SPG have made reviews about this beautiful hotel, so I can only make an addition to those reviews.

When I checked in, the receptionist told me the hotel was fully booked, there was no upgrade available. They were friendly and the check in went smoothly. My standard room was rather small but comfortable.
The hotel itself had the grandeur of a palace indeed. Everything was in good state and well-kept. The staircase was amazing, ( see my pics. ) and you can imagine theRroyalties walking here.

After arriving, I immediately went to the Imperial cafe for the famous Imperial cake. Wow, what a cake this is! Personnel here seemed to be kind of slow and not very inviting when I visited the cafe. I did not feel comfortable here.
I did have a great dinner in the restaurant of the Imperial. The restaurant itself had a very nice interior. Personnel was very friendly here, it made me feel at home. I was even encouraged to speak German with them. They seemed to be very professional. The quality of the food and wine was outstanding. I had my favorite wine of the Wines of the World, the Molina, a red wine from Chile.

In the evening I received a Sinterklaas present in a red sack, with sweets in it, what a kind gesture of the hotel!

The Healthclub is luxurious. It has lockers, Imperial large showers, and a sauna. Everything is being taken care of, slippers, small bottles of the luxury collection with shampoo, bodylotion, etc.
However the area with machines is smaller than the other area. There are not many fitness machines in the rather small work-out area, so we could not work out properly. That was kind of disappointment.

Next time when I will stay here, I hope there will be a deluxe room available, since I had heard from other guests how nice these room can be!
For pics of this stay: : http://www.e-traveller.net/pics/2003/vie-imperial.php

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Old Jan 11, 2004, 3:24 pm
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Thanks for the report- it makes me to think that I won't be visiting the Imperial anytime soon, and, when I do, that I probably won't be *wood Plat. Last time I stayed there, I had a huge suite on the mezzanine (for free)- it was a lot of fun walking up that "royal staircase" to get to my room!
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Old Feb 11, 2004, 4:02 am
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Hotel Imperial, Vienna [Master Thread]

Imperial, Vienna,

January 30 February 1

As always: fantastic!

With my birthday on 27 Jan turning 40, official beginning of mid-life-crisis - and my wifes coming up on Jan 31, we decided to send the kid off to the grandparents and do a weekend in Vienna.

After having booked through SPG, I e-mailed the hotel, told them about the reason of our stay, and made some arrangements for my wifes b-day: flowers to be delivered with breakfast, that I would order the night before, plus a little cake with a candle, and, of course, Id be very happy about an upgrade. Also arranged for driver (ok, not cheap, but at least I get Starpoints for use of the driver, as it is billed through the hotel) to pick s up from airport. Arrangements confirmed, upgrade if availale.

The day before we left, good news: Executive Junior Suite. OK, been there, very nice rooms on the 5th floor. Then, on the day we left, checked again: Imperial Suite, Butler Service, antique furnishings. Goooooood.

Arrived on Friday night, greated by driver at airport, nice trip to the city.

Check-inn: very friendly, greeted by name given the new Plat-folders, with the Youve been upgraded sticker. Walked to room, which was a two room suite, large bathroom, silk tapestry, very Viennese antique furnishings, and nice views of Karlskirche and Musikverein. Waiting in the room: flowers, Veuve Cliquot, Imperial Torte petit fours.

After a nice dinner at Plachutta highly recommended, if you like a down-to-earth style with the freshest products we killed the widow, and toasted the birthday.

Next morning, as ordered, with breakfast, a beautiful flower bouquet, a small cake with a candle, and excellent room service breakfast. There is something about being served breakfast by a butler in dovetails I could get used to it! Although to be expected from such a hotel, it is always good to see that things work out as arranged.

Maid service twice daily, with Bulgari amenities, which I just love. Butler service was also very nice: ordered coffee on Saturday afternoon needed that to avoid falling asleep in the Opera came up immediately, nicely presented.

Late check out on Sunday was no problem, drive back to airport very pleasant, with a bit of a city tour thrown in for free.

All in all, certainly one of the best hotels, great rooms and even better service. Upgrade was wonderful, and the staff is in a class by itself.


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Old May 16, 2004, 7:00 am
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Hotel Imperial - Vienna, Austria

So... last minute change of plans. I was going to stay at the Vienna Hilton Plaza but considering that Ive been downgraded to Silver in HHonors, there is zero chance for upgrade over at my favorite Wiener hotel.... hence, I will just go ahead and do the 'palace' experience. Im thinking that if I pay a nice internet rate (ie. not the cheapest I can find, my Platinum Status should get me a nice kick rear Suite... ).

Some questions:

Im getting the following types of rooms on the spg website:

- deluxe room
- junior suite
- executive junior suite

Now, the thing is that I can get junior suites for less than a deluxe room..... not because its the cheapest room available, but browsing through all the rates, the descriptions vary. OK, sometimes its the rack rate, but still, the info. is a little confusing.

Ive heard that the standard rooms are small, is this the case?

Also, is butler service only offered to some rooms...? I cant recall if this is a standard perk for all Luxury Collection properties or not.

Finally, does this hotel have an Executive Floor...? Is this extra perk (if available) worth it...?

Many thanks!! ^
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Old May 16, 2004, 9:10 am
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There are very few standard rooms (less than 10%) and they face the interior courtyard. The size of a normal hotel room, not small by any means and I think they have a sofa but not a separate sitting area (I haven't stayed in one but my PA did, so my description may be a bit off). The suites can be quite large; my last suite could easily hold 50 people in the living room and maybe 30 in the bedroom -- lots of empty space. And lots of chandeliers. They've stayed true to the original style of the building (private residence built as a palace and not as a hotel). Butler service is standard. No club floor (hardly any need for one). And some of the best concierges in the world, very good at taking care of anything for you. This is one of the ten best hotels in the world, with museum quality furnishings.

Edited to add that the Bristol does have a club level and you can stay at the Bristol very cheaply as it is participating in Cash&Points (USD 60 plus 4000 points). Definitely a step down from the Imperial, but better than the Hilton and Plat usually gets you an upgrade to club level. A couple of the suites at the Bristol are very nice, and the dining room (Corso) is arguably the best food in Vienna.

Last edited by number_6; May 16, 2004 at 9:23 am
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Old May 16, 2004, 10:17 am
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Originally Posted by number_6
There are very few standard rooms (less than 10%) and they face the interior courtyard. The size of a normal hotel room, not small by any means and I think they have a sofa but not a separate sitting area (I haven't stayed in one but my PA did, so my description may be a bit off). The suites can be quite large; my last suite could easily hold 50 people in the living room and maybe 30 in the bedroom -- lots of empty space. And lots of chandeliers. They've stayed true to the original style of the building (private residence built as a palace and not as a hotel). Butler service is standard. No club floor (hardly any need for one). And some of the best concierges in the world, very good at taking care of anything for you. This is one of the ten best hotels in the world, with museum quality furnishings.

Edited to add that the Bristol does have a club level and you can stay at the Bristol very cheaply as it is participating in Cash&Points (USD 60 plus 4000 points). Definitely a step down from the Imperial, but better than the Hilton and Plat usually gets you an upgrade to club level. A couple of the suites at the Bristol are very nice, and the dining room (Corso) is arguably the best food in Vienna.
I recently enquired abut club level at the Bristol and was advised by them that the no longer have a club lounge .... Which is a shame.
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