As you can see, we at TravelGuys have a soft spot for Starwood hotels and for good reason: SPG is by far thebest loyalty program in the Hospitality Business.
But within this family, the Luxury Collection is our favorite: it includes exceptional hotels around the world, with a Palace service, exceptional locations but, despite everything, all the advantages of the loyalty program.
Like the Hotel Grande Bretagne, which you will find an excellent review of on our blog, the Imperial Hotel in Vienna is full of history.
Booking
As usual, I booked at this hotel using the SPG website and a corporate code to get, this time, an unbeatable rate at 1/3 of the public price.
The reservation went smoothly and a few days before my arrival, an upgrade to an Elisabeth Suite was automatically made.
Arrival
After an Uber ride from the airport, we were dropped off in front of the property and greeted at the reception. The receptionist was busy with an obviously recalcitrant client on the phone, so it was the concierge, an experienced man with a beautiful Italian accent, who carried out our check-in formalities. Although a little stiff, he performed these operations successfully and then escorted us to our room.
Of course, the Platinum benefits were awarded (free breakfast each day and late check-out at 4pm).
Room
The Suite assigned, located on the mezzanine of the property is truly magnificent. Its price too!
After the entrance, which leads to the dressing room and the toilets, we enter the lounge area, whose decoration is very nice. A welcome service of whole fruits, chocolates, macaroons and sparkling water is perfect. A small handwritten and personalized note from the hotel manager is present and is always a pleasure. At my request, the international press was brought in.
The bedroom area is just as majestic, with a very comfortable Super King bed and an automatic curtain system that eliminates the need to handle the heavy velvet that adorns the windows.
The master bathroom is just as majestic, covered in floor-to-ceiling marble and equipped with heated floors. Bvlgari toiletries are of excellent quality.
And to finish, the virtual visit in video:
As a bonus, the visit of a Junior Suite with Twin beds:
Restaurants
The property has two restaurants and a bar. The Opus restaurant opens for lunch and dinner and has been awarded a Michelin star.
The Imperial Café, which is open continuously, serves a refined traditional brasserie cuisine.
Finally, the bar offers a simple cuisine and live jazz on Friday nights.
Breakfast service
The breakfast, served at the Café Impérial, is of excellent quality.
The dishes offered are of great finesse, and the preparations very well done.
The fact of proposing champagne, moreover from a very respectable brand such as Laurent Perrier, is unheard of in a buffet for my part.
The service is excellent, with a rare level of attention.
Bar service
After the concert, we chose to have dinner at the bar with a cocktail. The club sandwich ordered was excellent, as you would expect in a palace, but also hearty.
The cocktails were excellent.
Service at the gastronomic restaurant
On the first night, I made a reservation at the hotel’s gourmet restaurant through my SPG concierge, as the restaurant was scheduled to be full.
The chef proposes 3 different menus: a vegetarian version, a modern version and a traditional version, all in 5 to 7 courses.
But like any gourmet restaurant, this figure is to be multiplied by two, and they are not far from 15 services were operated: appetizers, various breads, a butter candle that melted gradually, in short: an explosion of inventiveness and flavors that was realized throughout the meal that lasted nearly three hours.
I hope the pictures won’t be too mouth-watering…
Hotel facilities
I did not use the sports facilities this time. Nevertheless, the lobby and all the corridors of the hotel are immersed in history, the grand staircase is majestic.
Departure
It is with great reluctance that I leave this pleasant hotel with a service that makes you feel at home. No problem with the departure formalities which will be done in the blink of an eye
Conclusion
An almost flawless experience for a hotel with exceptional services and that I recommend to all our readers who can afford it.
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