Hotel Astoria Vienna, Curio Collection by Hilton

Step outside and you're right in the middle of beautiful Vienna, with the Christmas markets an easy walk away. The staff were incredible. I thought I'd booked a room with a balcony, but I'd got that wrong; they still moved us to one within minutes. The hotel and rooms are beautiful, and the breakfast was really nice. A perfect spot.

The staff at reception were professional, courteous, and very helpful, and the location is excellent, with a pedestrian walkway and just about anything you might need close by. Our bed was comfortable, and I loved having a heater in the bathroom. My only small suggestion is about the mismatched furniture: one chair, another chair that didn't match, and a couch that went with neither. Maybe that was the intended look, but I think it could be improved. It's minor, though, and the wonderful staff more than made up for it.

The buffet breakfast was the best we had in Vienna, with quality food and a peaceful setting. Later, we had wine and Sacher cake while chatting with the excellent bartender at the hotel bar. Our room was lovely: the beds were very comfortable, I liked the bathroom layout, and the double-paned windows let us hear a beautiful classical concert in the square. A bathrobe would have been nice. We also couldn't control the AC because Vienna hotels turn cooling off at certain times of year as part of a climate initiative, but in October the room stayed cool enough for sleeping with the windows open. Reception was friendly and helpful, and gave us a free upgrade to a superior room. We only stayed one night and wished it could have been longer. The hotel is beautiful and calming, near Neur Markt square and within walking distance of Mueseumquartier and the main sights. It has old-world elegance with modern amenities, and feels like a step up from a standard Hilton. I hope we can come back to Vienna from the U.S. and stay again.

We were very comfortable at Hotel Astoria, on the southern edge of the Ringstrasse. The hotel is in a neoclassical Viennese building, and its high ceilings and heritage details pair beautifully with the modern interior. To me, it captures a little of Vienna's beauty on a smaller scale. It's especially convenient for shopping, dining, and sightseeing, and a great base for exploring the museums, galleries, opera building, and many churches in District 1.