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We arrived from Budapest after quite a funny train ride. We’d forgotten to reserve seats on the train, so despite having booked 2 first class tickets, we ended up sharing one seat. Live and learn. After a 15-20 minute taxi to the hotel we arrived. The Park Hyatt Vienna is absolutely gorgeous. The weather was quite grey, nearly spitting snow, and the hotel looks quite regal in its winter outfit. We were greeted immediately by a porter and escorted inside. The lobby exudes the same class and sophistication as the exterior, with check-in immediately to the left.
The Deets:
- When: January 2019
- Where: Vienna
- Loyalty: World of Hyatt
- Category: 6
- Rate: 25k a night
- Status: Explorist
- Upgrade: Standard King to Deluxe
- Cash Rate was 500Eur+
Credit Card tips
We utilized a Chase Ink Business Preferred to pay for any incidentals that would be charged during our stay. It earns 3x Ultimate Rewards on all travel. A card I would have been tempted to use ( and is on my list to get ) is the World of Hyatt credit card which would have given 4x points for this stay. The Park Hyatt Vienna is also part of Amex’s Fine Hotels and Resorts, and had we utilized that booking method ( which includes a ton of perks like $100 credit, upgrade, breakfast, etc ) I would have earned 5x points using an Amex Business Platinum or Amex Platinum when paying in advance.
Check-in
Arriving a couple hours before guaranteed check-in we were hoping to score a room early, but unfortunately the hotel couldn’t accommodate us. Instead, we moved items around, and headed out into the city with our bags stored with the porter. The front desk clerk was super nice and pointed us in the direction of some nearby restaurants, La Sosta is great for Italian and 5 mins walk, and prior to leaving we also met with the concierge to line up some dinner plans. I also mosied around…the hotel is incredible.
Concierge
We spoke with two different individuals who were very helpful in recommending Fabio’s ( incredible ) and SalonPlaFond at the Mak ( Also incredible ). The only negative mark I’d give would be involving our Starbuck’s which we had purchased upon arrival at the train station. One of the concierges criticized our choice and mentioned Vienna being famous for its coffee, much akin to Italy, and that there were far better places to enjoy a cup. We did enjoy many delicious cups of local coffee while in Vienna, and the coffee houses are gorgeous, but why criticize a guest’s choice upon arrival?
The Room:
While out and about we received a phone call that our room was ready. We mosied on back to the hotel, picked up our key, headed up to room 438. The hotel is in such incredible shape. Having opened in 2014, and visiting some of the other 5 star options nearby, it seems to be the most newly refurbished.
We received an upgrade to a Deluxe Twin ( they pushed our beds together to form a King ). The room featured a small entry with incredibly detailed tile work, two separate closets, a built in safe, and just off to the left was a gorgeous bathroom
The main bedroom was kitted out. Everything was synced with touch pads on the wall when you first enter and similar controls on either side of the bed. One of the coolest features was the hidden tv – tucked behind a mirror.
One of the most distinct features of the room was the mini bar. It was housed in a custom built, stand alone, and beautifully constructed cabinet. Doors open, and inside was a fridge, and Illy espresso machines. They provided 4 caffeinated capsules, and 2 decaf.
The Bathroom: The grandeur continues.
A separate, marble covered tub with electronic controls and a built in tv are the first thing you see when you enter.
It’s stunning. Floor to ceiling marble continues into the shower with a large mirror that makes shaving quite easy.
There is a single vanity with drawers containing any additional toiletries you may have forgotten, as well as a hair dryer.
The Spa/Fitness Center:
Drop down to the lowest level and you’ll find both facilities. Note that there is a co-mingled sauna/steam shower that is attached to the men’s dressing room and just below the pool. The pool is gorgeous, home to the Bank’s vault back in the day.
Dining:
There are essentially 3 places to dine/lounge. We had a glass of champagne at the The Bank prior to dining at Fabio’s and I’d recommend it. Great vibe, quick and personable bartenders, and a cool set up. The Lounge is for smokers, with an attached cigar bar.
Overall:
I’ve stayed at my fair share of Hyatts around the world, and the Park Hyatt Vienna is one of my favorites. I wish I would have booked it when Cash + Points were still pricing at 12.5k + $150, but no regrets at redeeming at the full 25k. It’s an extraordinary hotel, and one I’d highly recommend you experience.
If you’re short on Hyatt points, I’d strongly suggest picking up the World of Hyatt credit card from Chase, or one of their numerous Ultimate Rewards earning cards ( Sapphire Preferred, Reserve, Ink Business Preferred ). Read those linked articles about how to make use of their perks, and transfer points like I did into Hyatt for our redemption.
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- Don’t make this European train mistake like I did
- Review: Park Hyatt Vienna
- Review: Air Lounge Vienna Airport
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- How I utilized the transfer desk to make a tight international connection
Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Welcome Offer
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual Fee
$95
Points Earned
Transferrable Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 5x on all travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3x on dining, including eligible delivery services for takeout & dining out
- 3x on select streaming services
- 3x on online grocery purchases
- (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
- $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit via Chase Travel℠
- The begins immediately for new cardmembers and after your account anniversary for existing cardmembers
- 2x on all other travel
- 10% Anniversary Bonus
- Every year you keep the card, your total spend will yield a 10% points bonus. If you spend $10k in a year, you’ll get 1k bonus points
- Chase Sapphire Preferred continues to redeem at 1.25c in the Chase Travel℠ and the slew of other benefits remain in tact including Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver ( primary ), purchase protections, etc.
- Points are transferrable to 14 Ultimate Rewards partners
- Redeem in Chase Travel℠ for 1.25 cents per point
- No foreign transaction fees
- Suite of Travel and Purchase Coverage
- Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver is my favorite
- Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
- $95 Annual Fee
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists the best ever offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
Historically 80k is a very, very good offer and hit in both 2022 and 2023. In 2021, we saw the offer hit an all time high of 100k. Who knows if that will ever come back.
Main Cast:
Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.
Supporting Cast:
Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® is exceptional starter card and offers transferrable Ultimate Rewards, and pairs well with other Chase cards.
If you carry this card alongside Chase’s cashback cards like the Chase Freedom Flex® and Chase Freedom Unlimited® or the business versions: Ink Business Cash® , Ink Business Unlimited® you can combine the points into Preferred account and transfer into hotel and airline partners
Annual fee is quite low at $95 a year + you get a 10% anniversary bonus on points + $50 hotel credit in Chase travel.
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