Hilton Vienna Plaza: Modern Old World Glamour

The Hotel:  One of the key things I look for in a hotel is location.  I usually do not go for hotels in a busy area and the Hilton Vienna Plaza delivered with the location.  It is in an accessible area but far away from the loud tourist crowd and walking distance from quaint local neighborhoods.  One of the main metro stations, Schottentor is located a short walk from the hotel, there is a metro stop directly in front of the hotel, and it's a 30 minute walk from the Vienna Museum Quarter.  Another thing to be noted at the hotel is the decor.  The hotel underwent a big renovation in 2014 and the new rooms are decorated to fit the 20's theme of the hotel.  You can see it in the bow-ties and hats of the men at the bar and the ruby red lips of the women at the front desk. You can see it in the art-deco details throughout the hotel and a screening of Vienna circa 1920's that plays continuously in the hotel elevator.

The Room: we stayed at a Plaza Room which is slightly larger than the regular Guest Rooms.  The beds were comfortable and I loved the minimalist decor with a pop of emerald green with the chaise longue chair at the foot of the bed.  Another highlight of the room was the deep bathtub which was perfect for a nice warm bath after a day of intense sightseeing. Tip: always ask for an upgrade upon checking in to a hotel, the worst thing they can say is no!

The Service: What truly makes a place is the people. Behind the beautiful rooms, gorgeous lobby, and great location there's a team of people that make the experience memorable.  We got that when the concierge went out of his way to book us last minute tickets to a classical music concert, a bartender with perfect attention to detail in making a cocktail, or the smile of a housekeeper after a long day.  From hunting down a cab on New Year's Eve to a simple chat with the front desk, we were made to feel at home.