Pertschy Palais Hotel

Pertschy Palais Hotel is a romantic boutique property in the center of Vienna. Its atmosphere stems from its ornate, old-fashioned decor and the fact that it sits in an 18th century palace – Palais Cavriani, a fine example of baroque architecture. Amplifying the old-fashioned look are the rooms' balconies that open onto the interior courtyard. A pileup of Old World details like high lobby ceilings, rich textiles, lovely chandeliers, and needlepoint artwork are around every corner. But the look doesn't always hold together as a whole, such as the walls in loud shades of tomato-red and yellow clashing sharply with faded burgundy carpets. And guests complain of wear and tear, dated rooms, and creaky and dipping walkways in the interior courtyard. It’s these drawbacks and a lack of amenities that lower its status from the advertised four pearls.

Given its baroque appeal, it's no surprise that couples on romantic getaways come here. However, there’s a real sense of family here as well, with pictures of the second generation of Pertschy family owners on the walls and board games for children available. 

The Pertschy Palais is located in the city's historic core, a prime location for tourists. It’s a five-minute walk to St. Stephen’s Cathedral and three minutes to Hofburg Palace. The Column of Trinity is just a two-minute walk away. For shopping, the busy street of Karntner Strasse takes eight minutes to reach on foot. The hotel is surrounded by dining options like cafes, restaurants, and bars, so travelers don’t have to go far for meals. As for public transportation, there’s a U-Bahn stop that’s a five-minute walk from the property, and the nearest tram stop takes 11 minutes to reach. The Vienna International Airport is a 30-minute drive away. 

Guest rooms at Pertschy Palais Hotel are classic in style, done up in tones of cream and red. Features like parquet floors or printed carpet, floor-length curtains, chandeliers, and antique-style finishes on furniture enhance their old-fashioned charm. However, decor can feel thrown together, with items in flaming-red, orange, and muted rust hues loudly clashing. Some items are clearly dated or worn as well, and guests report cleanliness issues, especially with rooms that have faded carpet. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. However, they lack air-conditioning and most don’t have coffee- and tea-making facilities. (Family Rooms have espresso-makers.) The basic bathrooms in cream or white tiles have shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and plenty of toiletries. There are a few smoking rooms available upon request. 

Atmosphere and location are the true draws of this property, with the selection of amenities being a distant third. The hotel lacks a restaurant but offers a free extensive breakfast in the morning that includes organic and local products like pastries, jams, fruit, sausage, cheese, bacon, eggs, cereal, and yogurt. Coffee and tea are offered throughout the day, and there’s an area with a lending library of books and board games. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout, and there’s a public Mac desktop and printer on site. Pets are welcome for a fee. Parking is available at a nearby garage for a fee, but its best to reserve the space beforehand.