This review has been a long time coming. If you prefer not to read the full review ... know that our time there was spectacular.
We had done some travelling alone through Europe over Christmas before and we found it miserable and depressing, missing the sun, fun, family and friends of our warmer southern hemisphere.
Yes - that sounds horribly privileged, entitled and ungrateful and probably the quintessential description of "first world problems", but microwaved Tesco Tikka Chicken is a poor substitute for Mom's awesome Christmas spread (albeit that the lamb is almost always far too try - sorry mom).
Escaping the cold of Vienna's (Wein - Huh?) streets and arriving to the warmth of the hotel lobby we knew we were home. Welcoming us was the very professional, very friendly and incredibly helpful Alexandra. Offering us a far too tempting spread of Christmas cookies and chocolates she got about colletting signatures, terms and conditions and helpful reminders (with our mouths filled with heaven).
Once checked in - we causally asked whether she knew of any good Christmas markets. We think we may have found Vienna's unofficial champion of Christmas markets. She gave us the low down on which markets were the best, which ones were a mere stones throw away, which ones to avoid and which ones were her personal favourites. The less we talk about our Christmas market overdose the better ... our belts hate us right now.
We were escorted to our room. Let me just say that pictures alone do not do those beautiful oval windows enough justice. Over the few days - we would find ourselves snuggling up together - watching people scurry along doing their last minute Christmas shopping, perusing the odd Instagram post and trying to decider another tourist map. It's really worth staying at this hotel just to experience this.
The hotel arranged for some champagne (more cookies) and a fine snack platter which would have a highlight in themselves if not for the beautiful sounds of the accompanying Musician which had the nostalgia on overdrive with beautiful Christmas renditions of Silent Night (why does that song always bring me to tears) and other beautiful ones. The manager came past our table too and chatted about her experiences travelling and what her plans were for the Christmas season ... nothing felt forced and it was lovely to chat with likeminded people).
The hotel arranged for Christmas Eve dinner at a lovely nearby restaurant as well as lunch the following day.
Christmas 2016 was a success. It felt like everything that Christmas is supposed to feel like (we blame TV for this).
Thank you to everybody who made our Christmas special. many of you worked and were away from your families over this period. Know that the hand-wittier messaged and cards were greatly appreciated and if and when we find ourselves in Vienna again ... we'll defiantly know where we will be staying.
Thank you for everything.
Jonathan and Meryke