Vienna may conjure images of black tie balls, horse and carriage rides (oh, we did that) and magnificent architecture. You might think that it is too expensive, but there are some great ways to save money and staying in a brilliant hostel is one of them. During our two day trip to Vienna, we had a spot at the Meininger. Read on for our full Meininger Hotel Vienna Downtown Sissi Review

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Location

Meininger Hotel Vienna Downtown Sissi is about five minutes walk from the Schottenring U-Bahn station. It looks like it is on the other side of the river but you can walk under the river along the deepest platform before popping up in the lift. Schottenring has two U-Bahn lines, trams and busses so it is a great place to get around from. The side street is quiet so you will get a good night’s sleep, even if you have a street-side window.

A Look Around the Property

Our Room

During our stay, we had a double room which was incredibly spacious. and beautifully bright. The two large windows let in so much light and the higher floor gave us a nice view across the roofs of the surrounding buildings Around the bed, there was loads of room for our luggage and to avoid getting in each other’s way, even with the desk.

There was a small wardrobe with both hanging space and shelves but we don’t tend to unpack so we didn’t use it. There was a bedside table each, with reading lamps and plugs (LOVE a plug by the bed). We also had a writing desk with three more plugs. We weren’t short of places to charge things up.

Our Bed

The bed was made up of two singles pushed together so we both had plenty of space. It meant we had single duvets so we weren’t fighting over it, but this is something to bear in mind if you are expecting one double bed. The mattresses were bouncy and the pillows plump. After weeks of weird soft pillows, I was thrilled. We had a vague plan to watch a film in bed, as there was a TV but we were so tired from all the sightseeing that we just passed out.

Our Bathroom

The ensuite bathroom was quite small but it is always a treat to have your own bathroom in a hostel. It was perfectly clean and had toiletries both by the sink and in the shower. We even got a hairdryer in the bathroom which I definitely wasn’t expecting. The shower was warm and had great pressure. It could be used as a normal shower and as a handheld. The doors closed but it still leaked a little so remember to put the shower mat down!

Reception

Let’s continue our Meininger Hotel Vienna Downtown Sissi review at the entrance. In a strange way, I think the reception of a hostel is a lot more important than in a hotel. This is the hub where friendly people with bundles of local knowledge are. At Meininger Hotel Vienna Downtown Sissi it reception wears many hats. There is a souvenir shop to one side with some decently priced niknaks for loved ones back home. It is also a bar. You can grab drinks from the two fridges and pay for them to take into the lounge, kitchen or your room. We decided to treat ourselves to a mini prosecco in bed because we were too tired to go back out after a long day…so rock and roll.

Sissi

Sissi refers to Empress Elisabeth of Austria, who married Franz Joseph I. She was once described as the most beautiful woman in the world. Sissi had a teeny weeny waist and iconic long, dark hair She met an unhappy end, assassinated when she was only 44. She is often compared to Princess Diana.

I loved the pictures of Sissi (or the model they have used to represent her) throughout the hotel. Each room has a very fun snap which changes as you walk past them. Behind our bed was a picture featuring her empress-ship. Finally, down at reception, there was a huge wall mural featuring the lady herself.

The Kitchen

The kitchen is open for all guests to use. It’s got everything you need to cook dinner with an oven, a hob a microwave, and a kettle. This is so handy when you are travelling on a budget. There is a large fridge where standard hostel food rules apply. One thing to bear in mind, however, is that the kitchen is not very big so you may struggle to find space at peak dinner time. Finally, there are two washing machines but sadly they were not working during our stay. We needed to do laundry but no such luck.

Breakfast

The buffet breakfast was great. It was advertised as a continental breakfast (no hot bits) and I was wondering if it was a little overpriced for almost €12 but there was a lovely selection of items. The bread was delicious and the fun and unusual cream cheeses (different on both mornings) made a highly addictive sandwich. There was a yoghurt station with loads of toppings, four or five cereals and cakey bits. We both had two or three courses including creamy yoghurt, fresh and tinned fruits and cereal followed by loads of bread, meat and cheese. The coffee was from a decent coffee machine and there were some toppings and syrups to jazz the java up. There was also a large selection of teas. It was a great start to the day and as there aren’t really any cafes nearby, I think it is absolutely worth buying the breakfast here.

Final Thoughts on This Meininger Hotel Vienna Downtown Sissi Review

Meininger Hotel Vienna Downtown Sissi is definitely a hostel but has some very hotet-like advantages. We loved the size of our room which was incredible for the price. There are only private rooms here so there seem to be less large, noisy groups. The breakfast was great, even if the idea of just a continental may turn some people off, we think it was worth the extra cost. Then, we had the excellent aspects of the hostel. A casual atmosphere with the bar fridges, and extra friendly reception staff. Plus, the free luggage room, free wifi and well-equipped kitchen which keep the budget tight. It is a wonderful blend of both and perfect for these flashpacking Fluskeys!

Rosie xx