Review: Imperial Riding School, Autograph Collection, Vienna

After arriving in Vienna, Austria on the OBB NightJet from Amsterdam, staying in the Mini Cabin, I wanted to book accommodation that was near Wien Hauptbahnhof. Less than 10 minutes away from Vienna’s central station was the storied Imperial Riding School, which was also served by various local tram and bus lines that circumnavigate the city.

The Imperial Riding School has an interesting history as a military equestrian school, established by Emperor Franz Joseph in the 19th century. Read on for my review of this unique Autograph Collection hotel.  

Booking & Check-in

The Imperial Riding Palace is priced quite well, at around 140 EUR per night at the regular rate, booking direct with Marriott. It’s only 20-30 EUR more than staying at the Moxy near the airport or a Residence Inn. This property also distinguishes itself from the 300-500+ EUR a night stays at the Vienna Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, or Hotel Imperial, Luxury Collection. 

To maximize my points earning for this trip, Autograph Collection hotels gift elite members 1000 Marriott Bonvoy points as a welcome gift, which is the same as the Marriott and Luxury tier hotels. It is also more than the 500 bonus points if I had booked the Moxy or Residence Inn instead. This is in addition to the 50% bonus points I will receive as a Platinum Elite member, plus the 5x earning rate on my American Express Marriott Bonvoy credit card.

The lobby of the Imperial Riding School was very spacious, with lots of seating to hang out with other guests or visitors.

When I checked in at around 10:30 AM, I was informed that my room was ready and I had been upgraded to a room with a view of the beautiful Russian Orthodox Cathedral, a historic building just west of the hotel.

Location

Just steps away from Rennweg station in Vienna, the Imperial Riding School is very accessible to major transport hubs, including the airport and Vienna’s central train station, Wien Hauptbahnhof. From Vienna International Airport, it takes 25 min on line S7 to Rennweg and then another few minutes walk to the hotel lobby.

If you’re arriving on an intercity train that goes to Wien Hauptbahnhof, like the OBB NightJet, taking any of the S Bahn services only takes 5 minutes to get to Rennweg.

In addition to the train services, the hotel is conveniently located along various tram and bus lines that run throughout the city.

Parking

On-site parking is available at the Imperial Riding School for 34 EUR a day, or roughly $55 CAD. There is an off-site alternative available at a parkade next door, which was 9 EUR a day using the parking lot operator’s mobile app, APCOA FLOW.

Room – Superior Church View

The modern aesthetic of the room helped distract from the fact that it is smaller than most other King rooms, measuring around 24 square metres or just over 250 square feet. Opening just a year ago in Spring 2024, the room’s amenities are up to date and adequately supplied with power outlets and USB ports. My room was located on the 6th floor, which is designated as a Superior Floor, in addition to the 7th floor.

The bed was comfortable, with no issues or complaints from me. There was a small dining table next to the window as well as a workspace under the TV with multiple power outlets and USB charging ports. 

Both sides of the bed feature master light switches that turn off the entire room as well as a European wall adapter. In addition to international power adapters and chargers, be sure to check out our article on what tech to bring for traveling!

The bathroom is quite standard with newer Marriott properties, including the lack of a full shower door. The water pressure was okay, though the hot water did not seem to be consistently hot. I’m not sure if this is a European thing in general, but this wasn’t the only hotel during this trip that had inconsistent water temperatures.

The closet was an adequate size, with an open storage space to the side of luggage and bar for hanging clothes. A provided bathrobe, iron and board, and a small safe were located within.

A cabinet housed the mini fridge and cafe bar. At check-in they mentioned that all the drinks and chips in the fridge were complimentary, including the beer that was stocked inside.

As mentioned earlier, the room faces a Russian Orthodox Cathedral, which I liked waking up to despite the lack of a heightened view. After all, this property is only seven stories tall.

Restaurants

Elstar – Marriott Platinum Elite Complimentary Breakfast

Elstar is the Imperial Riding School’s main restaurant. For Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite members and above, this is where the breakfast benefit is served, as the hotel does not have a lounge. With a large dining area, there were plenty of seats and room for everyone. You can check out their full menu here.

This breakfast buffet spread was larger than many of the other Autograph Collection hotels I’ve been to as well. All the food was flavourful and fresh. Breakfast is available from 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM on weekdays and up to 11:00 AM on weekends. 

There were a lot of hot dishes and cured meats, including meatloaf, as part of the breakfast spread.

Beyond the breakfast buffet, each table also had a menu for ordering.

Drinks were plentiful as well, with a variety of juices, smoothies, and a wide selection of teas and a couple of espresso machines.

As I was leaving for Zurich at 9:30 AM the next day, and knowing that the OBB Lounge at Wien Hauptbahnhof did not have much for food, my breakfast benefit as part of my elite status was appreciated even more than usual for this stay.

Elstar The Garden

Elstar The Garden is the outdoor space for the same restaurant. As the largest private outdoor area in Vienna, The Garden serves the same menu items as those served at the Elstar. Though I believe the garden is geared more towards large groups or events.

The Farrier Bar

The hotel’s bar sits between the restaurant and lobby area. Although the hotel has its own cafe area, The Farrier also serves coffee before it turns into a bustling bar during the evening hours. You can check out the full menu for the Farrier Bar here.

Cameo Vitrine

The Cameo Vitrine is a small cafe located inside the lobby of the hotel. They serve various fruit pastries and some bagels for a reasonable price. 

Facilities

Fitness Center

The fitness center was quite busy at all times of day during my stay. It was average-sized for a hotel, with the standard equipment you would expect from a newer gym.

In addition to the gym equipment, the Imperial Riding School also has a yoga room.

Pool

The indoor pool is stylish but average-sized with small cabanas off to the side. In contrast to the fitness center, it wasn’t too busy when I visited.

There were lockers for storing items in both the fitness center and the pool.

Spa

The steam room, two saunas, and yoga room were located on the lower floors.

Conclusion

The Imperial Riding School, Autograph Collection, offers a convenient and elevated stay for visitors to Vienna. With modern decor and amenities as well as a sizable breakfast, this hotel is excellent for travellers who don’t need to stay at more expensive options in town. Although the room is a little smaller than what I’m used to in North America, this property aligns with my previous experiences with Autograph Collection hotels in Marriott’s portfolio, and I would be delighted to stay here again.