Stella

We had a really upsetting stay, starting with being left outside the building after a long trip. We had requested access to the room at 7 am because we needed to rest and had little time in Vienna. The host approved this, and we paid and confirmed the reservation. But when we arrived, we couldn’t get into the apartment. A kind cleaner let us into the building, and we tried calling the hostess repeatedly because we had no access code. Eventually, with the cleaner’s help speaking German to her, we got the code. We were then told there were already other guests in the apartment and that we couldn’t enter. When we reached the hostess by phone, she said she only spoke German, didn’t want to hear anything else, and hung up. Neighbors with aggressive dogs made us leave the building. We were stuck outside with our suitcases, exhausted and cold, with nowhere to go in a city we were visiting for the first time and where we didn’t speak German. Booking eventually helped us, and after several hours we got into the apartment, completely worn out and having lost the day. We asked for compensation for the harm caused by being left on the street. The place itself was a cold room in an old, dirty, noisy building that felt dark at night. It was far from everything, whether you were coming from the bus or train station, the airport, or the center. From the airport, it took over an hour and around three different connections, costing time and money. Public transport stops running at a certain hour, and not very late, which made the distance especially stressful on a short trip. Vienna is expensive, too. The room was ugly and dirty. The shower didn’t always get properly hot, the toilet didn’t work well, and its lid fell onto your back when you used it. Some wall outlets looked broken or disconnected. The hostess was rude, insulting, and uncaring, and wouldn’t help with guests’ needs, saying it wasn’t her problem. She said she didn’t speak English. Be careful about sharing your phone number: she sent us harassing and insulting messages and behaved aggressively. We have photos to support this. We don’t recommend staying here and won’t return. It’s not worth paying for a place that made our trip a nightmare. With some patience, you can find cheaper options better located in central Vienna, with helpful staff who speak English. Be cautious before booking. Check the location and whether the place is as promised before paying everything upfront. Avoid giving your personal phone number, and consider using a prepaid one to avoid harassment or retaliation. It may also help to have another place lined up in case your first accommodation causes problems.