Almanac Palais Vienna — Hotel in Vienna

I was expecting a great boutique hotel, however l've received a terrible experience. The staff had no communication within themselves. Even though the restaurant was almost empty the waiting times at breakfast and dinner took long. Even though we ordered the same meal at breakfast during our three day stay they still managed to mistake the order.

During our dinner (we went once due to late arrival and never came back) we precisely ordered wine but never received it. The meals were ordered at the same time but they didn't arrive at our tables together. Each time one of us had to wait for the other's meal to arrive at least 15min. At breakfast we ordered a bowl of fruits and had to wait for it for half an hour as the waiter brought it to a different table. Poor cuisine, no vision.

Mini bar was a joke. To begin with the person guiding us to the room said that the mini bar is free of charge on the arrival day. Having heard that from him, l expected a standard mini bar filled with soft drinks, alcohol as well as standard snacks such as sweets, chips etc... what I received? Two mineral waters, two lemonades, two organic bars, two beers (even though a wine cooler was present in the room ) and beetroot bio chips. The room service was even a better joke that wasn't even funny. Tired after the arrival we were informed that the full room service is not available (it was 22:30 ) and the only option that we have is a late night limited room service. After ordering our meals we had to wait good 40min for our small orders to arrive (to be precise we ordered a cheese plate, a toast, juice and coke ). When our orders came we didn't believe our eyes. The most terrible toast I have ever seen in what is called a five star hotel in my life. Having seen the price tag of 14.65 euro I have received two slices of cheapest white bread possible, one slice of poor quality ham and some melted cheese. Without any sauces, fries or whatever. For that price in other hotels in Switzerland, Germany, Italy etc l usually receive a nice sandwich with some kind of sauces, fries, vegetables or any other condiments.

The cherry on top of our stay was our last breakfast. After ordering our coffee we said that we will be ready in two minutes with our order. No one came for the next half an hour even though the restaurant was full of unoccupied staff circling around the big table in a fake manner, so one of us had to come up to the front desk to ask for someone to take our order. When we ordered a position in the menu called 'two poached eggs' (we ordered it for the last three days) and received literally four pouched eggs on top of some bread and nothing else. After communicating it to the staff we received a totally different order and the matter was taken care of in a quite unpleasant manner.

Overall there wasn't a one big problem, however there were many small problems that have occurred during our stay which changed what we wanted to it to be - a pleasant stay and nice experience into a one big inconvenience. The only positive aspects that we can share are a good location ( short walking distance to the old town part of the city ) and a really nice hotel design. However a big minus is that the windows don't open at all. Instead of focusing on small unnecessary in this situation detail such as pillow sprays or bio products, we would recommend to focus on staff training to provide a pleasant experience for the future guests. After writing this review we are still shocked that it is called a five star hotel as both of us never experienced something even close to such a negative overall experience in this standard. Next time when visiting Vienna we will definitely look for other five star hotels, providing a better experience in this area. The price is definitely not worth when taking into account the quality of our stay. There is a lot to be desired from the staff...

Preliminary remark: For a detailed review of my stay kindly watch my comprehensive video review on my YouTube Channel Truly Excellent Hotels & More or my website (link can be found in my profile).

Nestled within two historic palaces on the iconic Ringstrasse, the Almanac Palais Vienna, which opened its doors in 2023, seamlessly marries historical charm with modern luxury. The transformation of the Palais Henckel von Donnersmarck and the Palais Leitenberger into this opulent hotel is the masterpiece of award-winning Chilean designer Jaime Beriestain, who has skillfully blended contemporary design with Viennese heritage. As part of the esteemed luxury boutique hotel brand Almanac, known for curating unparalleled sensory experiences, the Almanac Palais Vienna stands as a testament to refined elegance. Following the success of its first establishment in Barcelona, Almanac has expanded its presence to the cultural epicenters of Vienna and Prague.

The hotel offers a selection of 111 exquisitely appointed rooms and suites. During my stay, I had the pleasure of residing in one of the Duplex Suites, which provided a stunning view of the Ringstrasse. Spanning 66 square meters, the suite is thoughtfully designed with a separate sleeping and living area spread over two floors. The living room features a large sofa, a small table and chair, a built-in wardrobe, and a flat-screen TV. Ascending to the second floor, the bedroom boasts a comfortable king-size bed, another flat-screen TV, USB charging ports, and a spacious built-in wardrobe. The marble bathroom is a sanctuary of luxury, featuring dual washbasins, a separate Japanese toilet, and a spacious bathing area complete with a bathtub, rain shower, and splash shower. The natural cosmetics brand Damana provides the toiletries, adding a touch of elegance. Enhancing the bathroom’s opulence is a private Finnish sauna with two heat levels. Housekeeping services are provided twice daily across all room and suite categories.

The Donnersmarkt Restaurant, inspired by traditional Viennese weekly markets, offers a unique plant-forward cuisine focusing on regional and seasonal vegetables from the Alpine regions. The exquisite à la carte breakfast includes dishes like Green Omelette, Eggs Benedict, and Vegan Waffles, blending traditional Austrian flavors with modern twists for a memorable start to your day. The Elias Coffee Shop features a plant-forward menu and locally-produced coffee from Caffe Couture, served in a modern setting with a small garden terrace. The Donnersmarkt Bar is known for its refreshing drinks and signature cocktails, complemented by a selection of local juices and innovative beverages. The spa area ensures a luxurious and serene experience with a 14-meter indoor pool, sauna, steam room, and relaxation lounge. Personalized treatments, including facials and massages, use natural and organic products from the Clean Beauty Concept. The fitness center is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, including treadmills, elliptical trainers, static bikes, a rowing machine, and weights, catering to all your workout needs.

The Almanac Palais Vienna offers elegant and versatile meeting and event spaces, including historic Heritage Rooms and a large Atrium with a glass ceiling, making it the perfect venue for special corporate events or weddings.

In conclusion, the Almanac Palais Vienna, perfectly seamlessly blends opulence with exceptional culinary delights — especially at breakfast — and expansive spa amenities, offering an unparalleled experience in the...

I typically avoid leaving negative reviews, but in this case, I feel I have no choice. Our stay at this hotel was absolutely terrible and did not meet the standards one would expect from a so-called five-star establishment.

The first impression of the two-level suite was positive—beautifully designed and spotless. However, as I spent more time in the room, it became clear that the interior design focused more on aesthetics than practicality or guest comfort.

For starters, the nightstands next to the bed were tiny, with no drawers or storage space, making it difficult to keep essentials close by. The bed, while massive, took up most of the room. There was absolutely no need for such an oversized bed— a king-sized one would have sufficed and created a more cozy atmosphere. Instead, the huge bed made the room feel cold and impersonal, especially when a more inviting and comfortable setup was expected.

The bathroom, while beautifully decorated, left much to be desired in terms of functionality. The dual sinks were lovely, but there was no counter space to place toiletries, and the room around the sinks seemed wasted. Additionally, the bathroom lacked hooks, which are always practical for hanging clothes and towels.

The shower was one of the few redeeming features, with excellent water pressure. The sauna in the room was a nice touch, but frankly, it didn’t serve its purpose during a vacation when time for such amenities is limited.

Most disappointingly, the air conditioner in the room did not work properly. Despite calling room service multiple times, the issue was never resolved, and the room remained uncomfortably hot throughout our stay. For a five-star hotel, this should have been a given.

While the suite’s design may appeal to those who prioritize aesthetics, it falls short when it comes to comfort, convenience, and practical functionality. A truly luxurious experience should consider these elements, but unfortunately, this was not the case during our stay.

The breakfast experience was lackluster. The menu remained the same every day, offering no variety whatsoever. The service was poorly managed, with different staff members taking different parts of our order—one for food, another for coffee and juice—leading to delays and inconsistency. Often, our drinks would arrive long after we had already finished eating. The staff lacked coordination, and some tables had basic amenities like salt and pepper shakers while others did not. The team wore plain white T-shirts with black trousers, making them look more suited for a casual pub than a high-end hotel.

Another major disappointment was the hotel lobby—or rather, the complete lack of one. Instead of a welcoming space to relax, the entire area was taken over by a BMW showroom, making it feel more like a dealership than a luxury hotel. There was nowhere to sit and wait comfortably for a taxi or meet friends, which made for an uninviting first impression.

Having spent a month traveling across Europe, we experienced exceptional stays in older hotels in Lake Como, Verona, and other locations. Unfortunately, this hotel was by far the worst of our trip. When you book a hotel at this level, you expect much better service, organization, and comfort. Sadly, this experience fell far short, and I would not recommend this hotel to anyone looking for a truly...