Can't lie, rooms are nice, clean, quiet, well equipped. The hotel is on a good location.
I see many good reviews but my experience wasn't as smooth. In short, their management does not seem to have the needed skills for the business they are in.
I was on a long stay between 25 August - 25 September, relocated from another country to Austria. My company has some sort of partnership with Rioca and it was kinda easy to set myself up there until I find a permanent accommodation. The price for the first month was fair, as it should be for somebody who stays for a month.
Day by day, week by week, in the first month I had very bad luck with the competitive Vienese long-term accommodation search and I reached out to our "partner" hotel, Rioca's management, to extend my stay for 1 more month. I still can't believe my eyes when I read their email. Won't share it in original form but it was something like "Dear Georgi, yada yada yada, yes we can extend but we would like you to know that the price will be significantly higher because in the following days we have important events in Vienna, affecting our pricelist". The email contained a list of more than 10 days with corresponding prices for long stays. One of the days would cost me 334 Eur and I immediately discovered the same room type on Booking.com, was on discount from 340 to 250 Euros. So they offer a long-stay guest 334 Euros while Booking offers it for 250? Does not make sense.
Isn't long-stay meant to be lower? What is the logic behind this? I mean, as a long-stay guest, I had to maintain the room myself most of the days, they would take out trash and clean it every 10 days or so, and in between I had to make sure it is all nice and tidy. As a long-stay guest I don't put strain on their staff as I already know my way around the hotel, I don't give them administrative overhead etc.
All in all, for the second month I was asked for almost 3 times the fee from the first month. Our PARTNER hotel, with 1000 rooms calculated they will lose "significant" amount of money if I was their guest for 1 more month. In return our PARTNER hotel, put me under significant hardship. I had luck to find a decent place for the 2nd month on a short notice with fair price.
I know it is a free market but some things should be beyond financial gain, especially if that gain is insignificant for a giant like Rioca.
Can't wait to read their ironic, pathetic and automatic reply that they are very sorry for my experience and how it contradicts...
Read moreFirstly, the cleanliness of our room was truly impeccable. The housekeeping staff demonstrated exceptional attention to detail, ensuring that our accommodations were spotless and well-maintained throughout our stay. This level of cleanliness provided us with a sense of comfort and reassurance. Secondly, we were fortunate to encounter a team of friendly and welcoming staff members. From the moment we arrived, their warm and hospitable demeanor made us feel valued as guests. They were readily available to assist with any inquiries or requests, providing prompt and attentive service. Their professionalism and genuine kindness created a positive and memorable atmosphere during our time at the hotel.
While our initial impression of the hotel seemed promising, there were a few drawbacks that left us disappointed and feeling that our experience was overpriced. One particular disappointment was the additional charge of 15 euros per night for our dog. It seemed unreasonable considering that our furry friend doesn't require a bed, bedsheets, or even a shower. Moreover, with the presence of linoleum flooring in the room, we didn't see the need for any extra vacuuming. What made matters worse was the fact that we were charged without our consent, even before receiving any prior notification or email about the extra fee. Another unexpected expense was the parking situation. The public parking area proved to be inadequate, forcing us to opt for the underground parking, which incurred an additional cost of 19 euros per night. Consequently, our overall expenses ended up being 35% higher than originally planned, leaving us feeling financially burdened. In terms of the room amenities, while there was a small kitchenette available, it fell short in terms of utensils. We were surprised to find only two forks, two knives, two tablespoons, two teaspoons, two tea cups, and just one(!!!) plate. The absence of essential items such as pans, pots, wine glasses, extra plates, or even a knife with a cutting board was perplexing. It left us wondering about the purpose of having a small cooking surface and a dishwasher if the necessary tools for meal preparation were lacking. Additionally, the so-called balcony turned out to be disappointing. Its limited depth of only 35 centimeters made it uncomfortable even to stand there. Its lack of functionality rendered it essentially useless for enjoying any outdoor...
Read moreThe hotel was strategically located between city center and the airport. You can take S7 for only about 20 min from the airport to St. Marx and then walk to the hotel for about 5 min. And the Vienna International Bus Terminal was just 15 min away by walking. That’s the main reason I choose this hotel. And it took only about 10 min to Vienna Central Starion by a tram. Vienna was the first and last stop of my trip to Europe in early October. I stayed at the hotel for the first night and then I travelled to Prague. So I decided to store my large luggage 5 days here. The check-in process was a little time consuming due to the long queue, but the staff Dennis was super friendly. This gave me a good impression of the hotel in the beginning. They also provided several kiosks for self check-in to skip the queue. When entering the room, there was a kitchenette equipped with a large refrigerator, a microwave, and a sink. The large room space suprised me. The corner with orange sofa and the swing chair gave the room a chill and cozy vibe. The comfy bed was standard in size. The restroom wasn’t large but the hair dryer was powerful. The TV responded very fast and YouTube could be seen immediately. The speed of Wi-Fi was also fast. When checked out in the early morning on the second day, the staff Ralfa or Rafael (sorry, the name tag was too small to read for me) helped me store my large luggage in the “box” on the -2 floor. He gave me a card and a key to enter the storage place, after instructed me very clearly and patiently. They charged 7€ for the service, very reasonable price. After finishing my trip to Budapest, I stayed one more night here before flying back to Asia. I took back my luggage as the instruction Rafael gave me and checked in again. The size of the room and the bed they assigned to me this time was a little smaller, much like for single person. But I liked this room better, because the kitchenette divided the room into two different spaces. And the balcony was really large. Besides, the room was quieter. The only drawback was a bad odor from the rest room, though it was larger. The smell became better after I took a shower. I finally found that the hidden desk was under the TV. The safety box was digital one which was easier to use than the one at the first night. Highly recommended this hotel! I will definitely stay here again when I visit...
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