Review: Imperial Riding School, Autograph Collection - Vienna, Austria
- Points and Places
- Oct 25, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 26, 2024
During a recent trip to Italy, we decided to shake things up by adding a mini stopover in Austria, thanks to Aeroplan’s stopover feature. Our plan? Land in Vienna, explore the city, then pop over to Salzburg before heading to Italy for the rest of our vacation.
Vienna is packed with great hotel options, especially for those booking with points. But as luck would have it, Taylor Swift was scheduled to perform in Vienna during our stay, which sent hotel prices soaring. In the end, we managed to book a room at the Imperial Riding School, Autograph Collection, by planning to leave the city on her first concert night to avoid the rush. We used Marriott Bonvoy points, paying 40,000 per night, which is on the lower end of the 40,000 to 70,000-point range. The cash rate usually starts around €200, so it’s worth comparing options to see if cash might offer better value.
The Imperial Riding School Hotel
The Imperial Riding School opened in early 2024, taking over what was previously a Renaissance Hotel. I’m a fan of newer, recently renovated hotels, since the condition of a property often has more to do with its age than the brand. I’ve stayed at some unexpectedly great Four Points properties and, on the flip side, had lackluster experiences at older Ritz-Carltons and Waldorf Astorias.
This hotel’s name isn’t just for show; it was originally a 19th-century military equestrian school, a theme that you’ll see echoed in the decor throughout. With 342 rooms, it’s on the larger side for an Autograph Collection hotel. Usually, I think of Autograph properties as smaller, boutique hotels with unique character, but this one felt a bit more standardized, lacking some of that special charm.
In terms of location, the Imperial Riding School, Autograph Collection is just outside Vienna’s central city ring, where most of the historical landmarks are located. The Belvedere Palace is a five-minute walk away, which is convenient, though it’s not one of Vienna’s most captivating sights in my opinion. While you can walk to the city center from the hotel, it’s a bit of a trek, so we often took quick Uber rides instead. Looking back, staying within the city center ring would have been a little more convenient, especially for those who like to pop back to their room for a mid-day break.
Since the hotel was just a few months old when we visited, there were still some “new hotel” hiccups. For instance, check-in was one of the longest I’ve experienced, despite having already checked in on the app. The staff was friendly and eager to help, but you could tell they were still finding their rhythm. I’m sure they’ll settle into a smooth operation with time.
With my Platinum status, breakfast was included and served on the main floor at the Elstar Restaurant. The breakfast spread was ample, offering a good mix of hot and cold items and multiple coffee machines. While it didn’t stand out as particularly memorable, it had plenty of variety to kick off the day.
Rooms
Our rooms were on the 6th floor, with a modest view facing a busy street. The street noise was surprisingly noticeable, which made sleep a bit tricky. The room itself was clean, tastefully decorated, and comfortable, though it didn’t have the unique feel I typically expect from an Autograph Collection property. One of our rooms was at the end of a long hallway, which gave us a real sense of just how large this hotel is!
Summary
All in all, I’d recommend the Imperial Riding School, Autograph Collection if you’re visiting Vienna and want to save on points or cash while still staying in a comfortable, clean hotel with friendly staff. While there are more character-filled options closer to the city center, this one offers good value for the price point.
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