Renaissance Wien Hotel ★★★★

When we arrived at the Renaissance Hotel Wein, we were struck by the unmistakable style and glamour of the recent refurbishment. You are surrounded by pictures of scenes from operas and contemporary splashes of artwork everywhere. The staff seem to take real pride in the surroundings and offer a truly welcoming service. Viennese tradition meets state-of-the-art services. We could see we were going to enjoy this trip!

It was surprisingly quiet in our twin room because of the soundproofed windows, and the resulting atmosphere was one of total tranquillity. Restful greys and mauve décor added to the calm, and the luxurious bedding, with down pillows and pillow-top mattresses, felt utterly luxurious. There were all the little touches of comfort we could have wanted – Wi-Fi, a tea and coffee making station, temperature control, a safe, a fridge, and a huge flat-screen TV. The bathroom was pure luxury with a fabulous ‘rain-style’ shower, lots of space for our belongings as well as a lovely selection of toiletries, a robe and some slippers. My friend was certainly right. I loved it! A quick settle-in and we strolled down to the bar for a welcome-to-Vienna cocktail. A nice sophisticated start to our city break, and an appetiser before dinner in the Wunderkammer restaurant.

The contemporary surroundings make a lovely setting for the international cuisine on offer, and there is definitely a hip unmistakably European bistro atmosphere. The hospitality was excellent – the staff all seemed to speak every language required at the drop of a hat, and were always attentive and helpful. Over dinner we planned our few days of shopping and sightseeing, trying to remember to leave plenty of time to enjoy the sauna and fitness room one morning as well as everything else the hotel offers.

In the morning we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, also part of the deal, with a tempting range of Viennese pastries and cakes, as well as the healthy options of fresh fruit, choices of cereals and a range of fresh meats and cheeses. We were certainly well set up for the day, full of energy and excitement. The Meidlinger Hauptstraße metro station is only about 100 metres away and so it is incredibly easy to get to the city centre and all the must-see places, like the Naschmarkt or Vienna State Opera. There is no escaping the fact that this is the City of Music and in some ways the whole city feels like a monument to the great Johann Strauss. Even though we weren’t particularly there for the music, it was really fun to feel the festive atmosphere and visit the famous golden Johann Strauss monument in the Stadpark.

And the shopping was just unforgettable! Every visitor to Vienna has to experience the Flohmarkt, genuinely one of the best flea markets in all Europe. There are also Christmas markets, designer shops and galleries, unique arts and crafts, world-class fashion outlets and an endless supply of small independent shops with traditional Austrian products. Talk about shop till you drop! Thank goodness we had the Renaissance Hotel Wien to relax, chill and rest after a day in the city. It made all the difference.