In 2014 the Park Hyatt Vienna Hotel opened in a 100-year old building of a former bank in the heart of the Austrian capital. As the first Hyatt property in Austria expectations are set high and we went to Vienna to find out if it’s a worthy alternative to some of the other excellent luxury hotels in Vienna.
Location
The Park Hyatt Vienna is located directly at the ‘Am Hof’ square in the central First District. The entire first district is listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site and you can reach all of the sights in this district easily by foot. Directly next to the Park Hyatt Vienna you can find one of the city’s most exclusive shopping areas and many restaurants and bars.
The bank building has been transformed to a luxurious home away from home whilst maintaining some of the bank’s unique elements including the main entrance, lobby and parts of the vault – more on that later.
Rooms
The Park Hyatt Vienna features 143 rooms including 35 suites which are among the largest in the city and range from 35 to 170 m2. The rooms sport a contemporary style with Viennese accents and custom art pieces.
We stayed in a Standard Park King room with beautiful views of the Am Hof square. The room we stayed in is about 40 m2 and comes with a very comfortable king bed, chaise longue, coffee table, working desk and spacious marble bathroom.
The room has a few James Bond like features like a flat screen TV that is normally hidden behind a sliding mirror and all room controls including curtains can be controlled from the touch panel next to the bed. The bathroom comes with a large rain shower with a built-in bench and a large bathtub. The only thing a bit odd is the single sink while there is space for a double sink and that would have been more comfortable.
The Park Hyatt Vienna is also home to one of the most desirable, if not THE most desirable, suite in Vienna. The Royal Penthouse Suite is located over two floors and comes with four bedrooms, four bathrooms, its own gym, a spacious living and dining area and four terraces with views of the entire city. It measures 820 square meters across the 5th and 6th floor. The rooms are very light and include only the best handpicked furniture and latest tech.
Restaurants & Bars
The Bank Brasserie & Bar is the Park Hyatt’s all-day dining restaurant. Located in the historical cashier hall of the former bank, the Bank Restaurant forms the heart of the Park Hyatt Vienna. The menu consists of brasserie classics which are prepared with fresh local produce in the open kitchen. A special Chef’s Table is located in the kitchen right between the two show kitchens and can be booked on request. In addition there is a private dining room for 12 people.
On the opposite side of the cashier’s hall you can find the bar. The bar is semi-separate from the dining area and provides a view of the six meter wide and two-storey high wine fridge that hosts an amazing collection of Austrian and foreign wines. The bartenders are very professional and can create dozens of cocktails from the menu or create something up to your wishes.
On the ground floor of the hotel you can find Cafe am Hof, a typical Vienna cafe with a very nice terrace from where you can watch locals and tourists alike stroll by. Right above the Cafe am Hof is the Park Hyatt Lounge where hotel guests can enjoy a small breakfast or afternoon tea. Finally the living room is a large cigar lounge with an excellent selection of cigars and whiskeys.
The Spa
The Arany spa at the Park Hyatt Vienna is located in the basement where the bank’s vault used to be. It has been transformed in a modern spa with six treatment rooms for various massages, cosmetic and beauty treatments. Via the mens or womens dressing rooms you get to the wet area that includes a sauna, steam bath, sanarium, vitality shower and relaxing area.
But the absolute highlight of the Park Hyatt Spa is the 15×6 meter swimming pool located in the bank’s vault. The bottom of the pool is lined by golden tiles shaped like gold bars, a reference to the precious goods stored in the vault during the majority of the last 100 years.
Adjacent the pool is a modern gym with the latest Techno Gym equipment. Private training sessions are available upon request.
We enjoyed the Spa’s wet area a lot and the daybeds next to the pool are a great place to unwind after a day sightseeing or shopping in the city. The only remark is the temperature of the pool, the water was too cold to enjoy swimming much so we spent more time in the steam room instead.
Conclusion
The Park Hyatt Vienna is a great addition to Vienna’s luxury hotel scene. It is blessed with a near perfect location inside a beautiful building with a fascinating history. The rooms are both comfortable and very stylish. The restaurant, cafe and bar lived up to our expectations.
The Spa is great although the water in the pool has to be a few degrees warmer to be really enjoyed. The service is professional and friendly but it would be nice if the doorman is also there after midnight. The hotel does not have its own parking garage but does offer valet service from early morning til evening.