Vienna is always worth a trip! This time, the Grand Ferdinand Hotel was on the program. The hotel’s motto is to celebrate tradition by thinking about how to carry it forward into the future, rather than trying to reinvent the hospitality industry. A special focus is also placed on Viennese cuisine. What’s more, this five-star hotel not only includes beautiful rooms but also a dormitory. The hotel has even received the federal coat of arms award, a rare state award!
Location
The hotel is centrally located on the Vienna Ringstrasse (Schubertring), a mecca for five-star establishments in the city. All the famous sights can be reached on foot from here. For example, St. Stephen’s Cathedral can be reached in about 10 minutes on foot, while the city park is just three minutes away. Even those who prefer to use the subway can reach the Stadtpark stop in just three minutes. The hotel’s location is an optimal starting point for all activities in Vienna.
Check-In Service
The late-night check-in was highly professional and, as the Swiss would say, “speditiv.” Everything necessary was prepared and explained without unnecessary chitchat in just a few minutes. Where is the room, where is breakfast, and when is the pool open? Everything was clear. It’s not easy to maintain quality and politeness in such a situation, so I have to give this service my respect. An excellent check-in procedure, even at a late hour.
The lobby area is also uniquely designed. As soon as you enter, you’re greeted by a life-size, displayed horse. You can tell at first glance that the decor is wonderfully unique and not always to be taken seriously. Wonderful!
The Room
My room is on the third floor. As soon as I entered, the search for the light switch began. I could feel two oddly shaped buttons on the wall at the entrance, but at first, I had trouble operating them correctly. Press? No luck! They have to be turned. The switches have the charm, appearance, and especially the functionality of the 70s. Unique, but somehow successful.
The room itself has the most unique design mix I have ever encountered in my travel career. It’s difficult to find the right words to describe it. I would call it: not entirely serious nostalgia meets upscale hospitality. In short, it’s a mix of old Viennese tradition and functional new five-star standards. But the most important thing is that everything is present, clean, and well-maintained. A great staging!
The Gastronomy
The Grand Ferdinand excels in its cuisine, especially in regards to Viennese cuisine. In general, the standards in Vienna are high. The hotel has two restaurants: Gulasch & Söhne and Schnitzel Love. Whether it’s fresh Viennese schnitzel, Kaisersuppe, Russian egg, veal vogel, goulash and champagne, or the Tafelspitz, the gastronomy is excellent and well-attended. Reservations are definitely recommended.
Of course, breakfast is always the king’s discipline in any hotel. Does it taste good? Is it abundant and have a suitable selection? Is it too expensive or appropriate? Don’t worry, at the Grand Ferdinand Hotel, you’ll have a royal breakfast on the 8th floor, with an equally great view over the rooftops of Vienna. This Grand Etage is simply excellent and breathtaking. Even though almost all the seats were filled, the staff was omnipresent, friendly, and the kitchen quickly delivered excellent egg dishes. The ordered Egg Benedict was one of the best I’ve ever had.
The Pool Area
Another highlight of the Grand Ferdinand is the outdoor pool on the 8th floor. Few hotels in Vienna have such a spectacular pool above the rooftops of the city. But it’s not just the pool that’s great, the two charming changing rooms in the style of the Côte d’Azur are also amazing. A true journey through time and history.
