“Fabulous Hotel close to train, convenient to sites”
We were really surprised at the high quality of this hotel. It was great value next to the Wien Westbahnhof station (not a great neighborhood but safe and convenient to train from Vienna and metro to central vienna). It's the first real 4-star that claims to be one that I've seen anywhere in Europe. all amenities and then some, including gym, steam room, sauna downstairs (tanning a bit extra). Funky see-through shower in middle of room. restaurant pricey, breakfast not included. friendly, professional staff.
Area recommendations
Hundertwasser houses and KunstHausWien were amazing treasures and a must see; Schloss Belvedere Oberes was also amazing for the house, grounds and art; Schonnbrunn is expensive and a bit overrated; young people meet at gorgeous outdoor terrace bars within the inner courtyard of the Museum Quartier at night in the summer, so you can meet people and enjoy; Cafe Dumel is expensive but amazing experience of Vienna coffee house/cakes; bars along Danube are nice in summer; Zentralfriedhof cemetary not really worth the trip unless you are really into seeing a cemetary/musician graves (not like the beautiful one in Lviv, for example), also a bit tricky to navigate once inside. after a day, I felt like I lived there--you can really escape the tourists and roam around like an Austrian; if you only want to party, it's great; if you only want quiet museum trip, also a lot of breathing room and you don't feel jostled around by hordes of people; Viennese people are not reserved at all, even though the books say they are--just talk to some and get invited to things; we had only 1 days, so only saw Schonnbrunn and walked around, so as not to be overwhelmed by museums--fabulous walking city just to take photos and absorb the vibe; but I went back for a day and the museums are amazing
When to go
even in July, it was rainy and chilly, though if dressed for the weather, I'm sure it's atmospheric at all times.
What to pack
umbrella, raincoat, extra layers
Dining
must have a pretzel and go to grand cafe for fabulous cakes (the best ever!!!). in summer, canal restaurants north of city center have live music.
Nightlife
inner courtyard of Museum Quartier is great student/young person hang out (at least in summer). but...Vienna is very, very smoky--inside and out.
