Garner Hotel Vienna by IHG

The location pin on Google Maps is wrong, and there are two Garners on the same street about 200 metres apart, so take care finding the right one. Reception was friendly, though the check-in counter is tiny. Even with the window shut, I could feel the cold from outside. At night I heard ambulances, snoring and doors slamming, and there’s no soundproofing, so light sleepers may want to avoid it. I was on the first floor. The blanket was thin and small, and the pillows were very flat and soft. For €100, I didn’t think the facilities or room amenities were worth it. Another hotel I stayed at the next night cost €70 and had air conditioning, heating and breakfast, which left me much more satisfied. Here, the main thing you can count on is the location, about a five-minute walk from the main station and metro. The brand name doesn’t guarantee what the room will have.

The room was unpleasant, with a strong bad smell and a lack of cleanliness. We also had cold water for showers throughout the stay, and the elevator sometimes stopped working, leaving us to take the stairs. The bigger problem started at check-in: we had paid for two rooms and showed confirmation for both, but the hotel’s system only showed one. We had to call the booking company ourselves, and only after they contacted the hotel did we get the second room. It took a long time and left us waiting at reception for no reason. Our door also wouldn’t close properly. We told staff, but nothing was done, and we didn’t feel safe leaving our things in the room. There were several problems and no real help from the hotel. I wouldn’t recommend staying here.

The location and staff both deserve five stars, but the room was unbearably hot. There was no way to switch off the radiator, and opening the window meant putting up with loud noise. I barely slept. There’s no air conditioning either, so a heat wave would make it feel just as awful.

The night-shift gentleman was fantastic at his job and as a person. I’m glad we met and had a chance to talk. The hotel is near the metro and central station, though Google Maps gives the wrong location. Breakfast was good. Our first room was 003, and the lack of hot water was a major problem. On the second night, I moved to an empty room on the first floor, where the water was only a little warmer. On the third floor, the water was hot and the pressure was good. Room 003 also had the maid carts parked right outside the door. If we’d been given room 301 from the start, I’d have rated the stay 3.5 or 4. There’s no management on site, and I was disappointed as an IHG Premier card holder that IHG customer service just told me to speak to the hotel.