Part 1: Palace Living in Vienna: Anantara Palais Hansen
There are hotels that serve as a base for exploring a city, and then there are hotels that really are also part of the story. In Vienna, Anantara Palais Hansen Vienna Hotel is certainly the latter! The building was originally designed for the 1873 World Exhibition, and it carries that 19th-century confidence effortlessly. Located on the Ringstrasse, it is just a few minutes’ walk to the historic centre, the Danube Canal, the Votive Church and Museums.
Inside, the calm is immediate. High ceilings, polished marble, and soft lighting create a sense of quiet sophistication and Viennese elegance. The recently refurbished lobby feels less like a reception area and more like the entrance hall of a private palace. The check-in was seamless, the offer of a glass of wine and home baked biscuits certainly was a cut above anything I have ever experienced – this welcome certainly reflected the hotel’s focus on local Viennese wine culture, including the “Gemischter Satz” and nearby vineyards.
Our arrival coincided with Valentine’s Day, and the hotel did not hold back – rose petals on the bed and in the bathroom, a bouquet of flowers on the table, bubbles ready to drink and of course delicious nibbles.
Our room? A dream. Tall windows, generous proportions and the clean lines, muted tones, and thoughtful lighting kept the atmosphere contemporary. The beds were wider than I am tall and the most comfortable I have ever experienced. The marble bathrooms felt almost spa-like, from the most amazing separate deep bathtub to the enormous shower. It was SO indulgent without being ostentatious — very Vienna.
Breakfast was just something else. The food exquisite and the choice endless, but what I noticed most was the service and the friendly and attentive team. They were on top of everything, replenishing the stations or noticing an empty coffee cup for clearing or refilling. Same for the public areas too. Special mentions to Gottfried Broz the Director of F&B and Kaspar Schmidt the concierge, but really the whole team was incredible. Our thanks also to Patrick, Moriz and Jurgen for making our stay so memorable. Oh, and they also managed to arrange for us to see the Pakistan Prime Minister too, who was staying at the hotel with his entourage – another timely treat!
What did we pack in, in two days? Well, it’s just impossible to see everything in such a short time, so we hopped on the tour bus to escape the cold, get our city bearings and see as much as possible!
MUST DO 1 includes the Vivaldi concert at Karlskirche – this is peak Vienna in under two hours. You walk into the building under a soaring Baroque dome, candles flickering, and suddenly The Four Seasons — sounding epic with the magnificent acoustics. You don’t just hear Vivaldi – you hear Vivaldi… in Vienna!
MUST DO 2 includes the Light of Creation at Votivkirche – imagine a Gothic cathedral throwing a cosmic rave! The most incredible immersive light show and spectacle I have EVER seen – incredibly emotive and awe-inspiring.
Amid all the grand palaces, soaring cathedrals, Baroque drama and museums, was the Schmetterlinghaus (butterfly house) – it was a small world of calm, and of course warm and an escape from the cold outside! A small slice of nature tucked right into the heart of Vienna.
MUST DO 3 includes the food!! No visit to Vienna must be without the infamous golden Wiener Schnitzel with buttery potatoes in a local traditional Viennese restaurant, a steaming bowl of paprika goulash to fight the cold as you explore the city streets, or a slice of rich Sacher Torte in a cosy café.
Would We Stay Again? The hotel is grand but not intimidating, luxurious but not showy, and historic but not stuffy, so YES, without hesitation, because sometimes, the best part of exploring a royal city… is sleeping in one!
After two days in Vienna, we took a 50-minute train journey to Bratislava – the easiest way to travel between the two, and even better in the first-class cabin!
Part 2: Exploring Bratislava from Mamaison Šulekova
We wanted to experience Bratislava in style, so we stayed at the perfect choice Mamaison Šulekova Bratislava. This boutique hotel combines modern comfort with a cosy, personal atmosphere, which made it an ideal base for exploring the city. The rooms are inviting and very spacious, while the lobby and common areas provide a peaceful retreat after a day of sightseeing. Breakfast is also plentiful and delicious!
The hotel’s location puts you just steps away from Bratislava’s main attractions, although we did often use ‘Bolt’ taxis to save our energy! However a short walk does take you to Bratislava Castle which is steeped in history and sits above the Danube with fabulous views of the city. From there, the cobblestone streets of the old town are adorable and inviting, with colourful façades, historic squares, and cafés around every corner. For the foodies (which we are), local restaurants serve traditional Slovak dishes like bryndzové halušky and goulash, while bakeries serve the most incredible pastries. We signed up to a city bus tour to see the city in a short space of time and then ‘wine tasting in the dark’ which is designed to heighten the senses, and it didn’t disappoint – have you ever tasted orange wine, surprisingly delicious!