World Traveller 73 
Review: Le Meridien Vienna – Wien, Austria
On a recent weekend stayover after a week work of business meetings, I ended up at the Le Meridien Vienna hotel for a personal stopover in Vienna, Austria. I was really impressed with the Le Meridien Vienna. It offered the right combination of value, friendly service, a comfortable and spacious room by European standards and easy walkability around town.
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Review: Le Méridien Vienna – Wien Hotel, Austria.
“The Le Meridien Vienna met all the right marks for a personal stopover in Vienna: a decent room rate, friendly service, a spacious room and a terrific elite breakfast”
On an extension of a business trip in Germany, my travels took me to Austria. While in meetings at Telfs, Austria, I decided to stay over a few additional days in Vienna Austria on my first visit to the city.
Booking the Le Meridien Vienna:
When it came time to checking out hotels in Vienna, Austria, I was looking for something that was conveniently located in the central business district and close to downtown. The hotel had to have easy train access as I was arriving to the inner city by train.
I ended up settling on the Le Meridien Vienna as a result of its location next to the train network. I had a late arrival close to midnight and the station was within five minutes walk. The price point at 157€ ($160 USD) per night on a four night stay was also quite reasonable for an inner city hotel. The price later rose to 179€, but I have seen rates as high as 300€ at the property.
The hotel participates in the Marriott Bonvoy reward program. Under the new variable pricing method, rooms are available for approximately 55,000 to 57,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night. If you value Marriott Bonvoy points at 0.005 cents a point, you would have to have a hotel rate of 280€ / $285 USD in order to come out ahead redeeming points.
As a Marriott Bonvoy Titanium level member, I would also be entitled to the best available room, including select suites, and a welcome amenity including breakfast, additional Marriott Bonvoy points or a local welcome gift.
The hotel has a number of Suites in the Marriott Suite Night Award program. As I had some expiring Suite Night Awards that had been extended as a result of the pandemic, I applied them to all available rooms. I would end up getting upgraded into an Executive Guest Room – 1 King.
It’s always a great feeling getting a great value out of any loyalty program and this was a good use of Marriott Bonvoy Suite Night Awards that would have otherwise gone to waste.
Getting to the Le Meridien Vienna:
Starting the day in Telfs, Austria, I left my conference from the hotel at about 4 PM.
I arrived into Vienna on Obb Railjet to the arrived the Wien Hautbahnoff. I transferred to the local Red “D” Train from Wien Hautbahnoff to the nearby Oper, Karlsplatz U station. From there, it was approximately a five minute walk on level streets that was in a mix of quiet residential and business area. I didn’t have any challenges walking this distance carrying a rolling suitcase and my laptops.
The Le Meridien Vienna was situated in a residential apartment neighbourhood with some restaurants at ground level. I found the neighbourhood to be safe and clean; even arriving at midnight. I didn’t get harassed walking into the neighbourhood, even arriving after midnight.
Checking into the Le Meriden Vienna:
I walked into the Le Meridien Vienna. As I was arriving just past 12:30 AM, there was no wait at check in. Check in was exceptionally friendly. I accepted breakfast coupons for breakfast in the hotel restaurant as the Marriott Bonvoy Titanium welcome benefit.
I inquired about food and beverage but learned that all the hotel restaurants were just in the process of closing for the night. I asked if it was possible, despite the late arrival to get a glass of white wine. The front desk finished up the check in process and ran over to the bar to produce a large glass of white wine that I could take up to the room. It was an exceptionally pleasant welcome and more than I would have expected from my usual North American hotels.
Lastly, in order to accomodate a late evening departure, I also asked for a 4 PM Titanium Late Check, courtesy of Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Status. This was provided on the day of departure without any challenges.
In terms of service, the hotel was exceptionally accommodating with requests. They were very pleasant in order to deal with at each and every opportunity.
The Room: An Executive Guest Room
1 King
I was assigned room #801, an executive guest room with one king. The room was located close to the elevator. Despite the proximity to the elevator, I wasn’t bothered by elevator noise throughout the stay.
Immediately upon entering the room, there was an armoire suited for hanging clothes and jackets. There was a small foyer area that was perfect for room arrivals; an area to take off your jacket and hang it up.
The in room safe was also found in this area, in addition to luggage racks.
Ever important for any female traveller are the existence of robes and slippers. I’m happy to report that the Le Meridien Vienna had both of these. They were dispensed from the front armoire closet by the front door.
Immediately to my left on the entrance was the rather industrial entrance to an bathroom. The ensuite bathroom was situated just across from the entrance. Initially, I thought that this was a closet, but it turned out to be an ensuite bathroom.
The main part of the room then led into the bedroom area that was up against a sloping roof. A workspace was found immediately on the right hand side of the room, followed by a two person occasional chair seating space.
Working my way into the room, there was a sloping ceiling with skylight windows. This slope led to the king size bedroom area.
There was a small television just off the bedroom, that allowed you to watch from bed at an angle.
The primary bathroom was located behind the sleeping area. The bathroom itself was absolutely massive with space to run around in. Given that normal bathrooms in Europe are exceptionally tiny, it was a treat to have such a large space.
The bathroom featured a large shower with multiple jets, including a rain shower. There was also a single stand alone tub that was suitable for bathing.
As is the case with all Le Meridien hotels, the toiletries were Malin and Goetz branded hand wash and body wash.
The hotel also offered a welcome amenity of some fresh fruit, which was served in an upright glass.
The room also featured a small coffee maker, along with proper glassware. Proper glassware is something that is always appreciated whenever traveling through hotels.
The hotel only featured fourteen rooms per floor. The Executive Room was one of the few that was on the corner next to the bank of three elevators.
The Executive Room offered a view that overlooked the roof tops. The sky light windows made the rooms bright.
Around the Hotel Property:
Indoor Pool:
Surprisingly for an inner city property in Europe, the Le Meridien Vienna offered a small indoor pool. Like most others, the pool was located in the basement.
The gym at the hotel was full of people each time I visited. As a result, I did not get a photograph of this space.
Sundries Store:
The hotel featured a small sundries area off the lobby that offered items for purchase.
Food and Beverage:
Sala Terrena for Breakfast
Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Breakfast:
I enjoyed a Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Breakfast in the “Sala Terrana for Breakfast” restaurant that was located on the ground floor located just off of reception. I can’t say I’ve ever been to a restaurant that has “breakfast” right in the name, but it certainly did the trick. As with the name, the “Sala Terrana for Breakfast” was only open during breakfast hours.
The breakfast space was bright and inviting. I was always able to get a place to sit without any issue.
Surprisingly, the Le Meridien Vienna featured a posting of when the busy hours of breakfast were anticipated to be. The hotel also offered breakfast until 10:30 AM, with service up to 11:00 AM on weekends; something that is always appreciated for time zone affected travellers like myself.
The breakfast offered for Marriott Bonvoy Platinum and higher elites were complimentary full access to the buffet. There were the usual grain and bread favourites, but there was also an egg station along with various salads, hummus and coffees and teas.
The buffet also featured the largest slab of butter I have seen at a buffet. I actually mistook it for a brick of cheese, initially.
The Buffet Featured the Largest Slab of Butter in Vienna
There was also free flow prosecco during the breakfast hour, which I was especially pleased with.
You Restaurant and Bar:
The Le Meridien Vienna also offers the You Restaurant and Bar. The You Bar was accessible from outside the property, and featured a small single lane outdoor patio that immediately faced the sidewalk.
The You Restaurant and Bar was also accessible from within the Le Meridien Vienna through a pass through of ways into the hotel.
I didn’t actually use this space as I found it rather dark and uninviting for a single female business traveller. While I suppose it could be the right spot for a date, it really wasn’t my scene for a single woman traveller.
The Bottom Line: Le Meridien Vienna
The Le Meridien Vienna hit all the right marks. The service was pleasant, the room upgrade was welcomed and the food and beverage offered at the property was reasonable. The location of the hotel was also really good, as most sights were walkable from my property. I felt like I got my value for money staying here, and I would easily return.
World Traveller 73 
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