Hotel Fuerstenhof or Pension Suzanne?

I%26#39;m having trouble deciding On Hotel Fuerstenhof or Pension Suzanne. I need TA expert opinions. We are family of 4, boys 14%26amp;18. We%26#39;ll be using public transport for getting around in June, 3nights. So far I%26#39;m leaning towards Fuerstenhof because of good price, charm and history. Also noted is they don%26#39;t offer non smoking rooms so has anyone noticed that as an issue?

Thanks for thoughts.

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Pension Suzanne is decisively better located than Hotel Furstenhof. While Suzanne is situated in the central district very close to the gorgeous boulevard named Ringstrasse and the Vienna State Opera, the Furstenhof is close to Railway Station West and a very busy street with multiple lanes in both directions (=Gürtel Street). Regarding the TA ratings the Suzanne is number 26, while Furstenhof is far beyond. I would definitely go for Pension Suzanne!

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I agree with Mikey. I don%26#39;t think you%26#39;ll find the busy highway outside the Fürstenhof very charming and I can%26#39;t work out what aspect of its history you find so endearing. Smoking is a big issue in Vienna: Austria has a very archaic attitude to smoking so you%26#39;ll find a number of hotels without no smoking rooms and many restaurants where smoking is freely allowed throughout the dining rooms (or else they have a miniscule no smoking area). It%26#39;s one of the very few things I ever feel glad to get back to the UK from Vienna for!

Unless it%26#39;s hugely more expensive I%26#39;d go for Pension Suzanne

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Sorry guys. We have stayed at the Fuerstenhof and absolutely loved it. Maybe not the most central but you can be in city center in under 10 minutes. The staff is absolutely fantastic and so are the rooms. The walk down to city center via Mariahilferstrasse is also quite interesting and fun. Morning coffee in their breakfast room is great. I say keep away from the tourists and stay at this place.

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Hi Operettaman - long time no hear from! Hope all is well with you.

Well, you can%26#39;t beat personal experience and like just about everywhere in Vienna transport is never an issue. I%26#39;ve just never warmed to the Gürtel or the areas around either of the main train stations!

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If we solely glance at the Furstenhof, it might be a enjoyable and recommendable place. That%26#39;s not the point! But if it comes to a decision/comparison between the accommodations stated, then Pension Suzanne receives a much better assessment. That%26#39;s the advice we can give!

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Firstly , I would consider informatiuon from one who has actually stayed in the hotel. This individual who is well travelled i believe too and posted above.

I, personally do not like the Trip Advisor rating system for restaurants or Hotels- a few reviews and the rating system is quickly and unfairly altered.

This not a impartial rating system, at least from my experience in Vienna and several other cities.

I note this especially when looking to the so called restaurant ratings - much bias by annonomous posters.

Only you can decide your priorities yes , the Suzanne has a more central location - close to the Opera - but do you plan to attend the opera. Good shopping nearby - many sights within walking distance - thus more convenient - but is this your most important criteria?

The Suzanne - more expensive - just a quick look-it seems to be more than 70 euro per night more --

their posted double room rate is 100-115 euro per night - you need 2 rooms or 200- 230 euro per night .

Furstenhof has a room for 4 at 135 euro per night - also an additional 10% savings for booking by e-mail.

net 122 euro per night 78 euro minimum per night savings.

The Furstenhof just outside city center - the UBahn U-3 brings you to city center in 5-7 minutes. You can use part of the savings to buy transport cards. You would probably buy these anyway for your stay.

Westbahnhof across the street- airport transfer bus across the street- streetcar #58 direct to Schonbrunn Palace across the street. Thus out of the center - but those places too far to walk - easy and safe transport connections.

Yes,on a main street- certainly some more noise- but have not seen complaints about noise - also at the corner of major shopping street and normal associated activities.

I believe service and accomodations at each would be clean and relatively similar.

Either choice would be OK.

With 2 hungry boys, I would use the savings achieved by staying at the Fürstenhof and use it on good food, souvenirs or something special for the family.

Enjoy Vienna !

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We have Schonbrunn Palace, Stephansdom, Belvedere, Karlskirche, a day trip possibly %26amp; just roaming around on our agenda. No opera I%26#39;m afraid and we%26#39;re not shoppers. We are eager to try Vienna%26#39;s cuisine. We%26#39;ll be arriving by air and leaving by train. Mikey, Mr.Cope, Operettaman%26amp;Verticle (yes, always hungry boys!) I really appreciate your insights. Any more thoughts, toss them my way %26amp; I%26#39;ll decide later today. I did just see the posting of info.wien.at for must-see tips so I%26#39;ll look there. Looking forward to seeing your city!

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BTown,

We are originally from Oregon and enjoy a good adventure. Fuerstenhof will provide this (sorry Mikey, we love your city with all of our hearts but love to stay in the out of the way places such as the Fuerstenhof, Zur Agnes in Sievering, Ilona Kaminek%26#39;s wonderful apartments in Floridsdorf, and Beatrix Walkner%26#39;s Augarten apts.) Everybody has their favorites, we prefer a more original non-tourist experience...no offense to any posters here!!

Thanks Norman, we are doing fine and buying a new home in the fine town of Longmont, CO with a wonderful view of the Rockies (won%26#39;t be the same as living up there, but a bit more convenient!)

BT with your kids I suggest a nice bike ride up the Danube to Klosterneuberg or beyond. Nice day ride, very scenic and very fun. See Rick over at Pedalpower near the Prater for great bike rentals and advice.

Vertical, as always your have the most sage advice. I will send you pictures of our Jack Russell, MIGHTY THOR, soon. He has been such a blessing. Hope the wine is good and Shanjar is behaving!

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Furstenhof is an easy connection via airport bus to Westbahnhof and then just across the street. 6 euro per person.

Pension Suzanne- not as easy from airport but still easily done with one change

for transfer info

www.flughafenwien.at

or by reserved transfer taxi - both probably same price

www.airportdriver.at

of course for the train Fürstenhof - a walk across the street - Pension Suzanne - streetcar to U-3 and then to the westbahnhof

Greetings Operettaman- happy to see you are back here- look forward to the photos

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The TA ratings actually come from real travelers who are likely to be experienced either. In my opinion the reviews mostly reflect the actual standard of an accommodation. I traveled a lot and rarely disagreed with the rating given. The sequence number is not really representative. The Furstenhof basically receives very positive comments, but because of the low number of postings its position is far beyond the Pension Suzanne. Admitting that every system has its weaknesses, we may not conclude either that Pension Suzanne has unjustifiedly reached its good rating. Moreover, I am surprised that it seems to be necessary now to attend an opera in order to stay in the area of the opera.

@Operettaman

If you review my comments you can see that I - opposed to others - do not fanatically recommend staying in the central district. But if someone asks me to decide, I would go for the one in the central district where it is much more charming than at Vienna%26#39;s busiest street and a railway station that has recently turned into a large construction site.