Palais Coburg

How often do you stay in a palace? Let alone a palace that was built by Queen Elizabeth II’s great, great, great, great uncle Prince Ferdinand Saxe-Coburg. Not only is the Palais Coburg a bona-fide royal palace, but it is also built on Vienna's medieval city walls, of which you can still see original sections from the hotel’s enormous reception and lobby. Stay here and feel part of history. It is a remarkable hotel from that aspect alone, but there is much more to recommend it. Let’s start from the top! On the penthouse level, you will find an excellent spa, sauna, steam room, gym and (how rare in Vienna) an indoor pool. Come up here to hideaway and relax on a cushioned chaise longue and look out over the city rooftops, or spoil yourself with a massage or beauty treatment. In the Summer enjoy a healthy herbal tea (or something stronger) on the open-air terrace. Luxurious suites occupy the next two floors. These are individually-appointed in calming neutral tones with pretty flowers adding a dash of fresh colour. Most of the suites are duplex, with a fully equipped kitchen, spacious and comfortable living room (some with sofa beds) and an upstairs bedroom and fabulously spoiling en suite bathroom. There are separate loos both upstairs and downstairs which is always a bonus! Exclusive Acqua di Parma toiletries make you feel indulged and fragrant. No detail is overlooked – there are couples’ yoga mats provided, a Nespresso machine (of course!), interesting DVD’s, state of the art sound systems, and so forth. This is very grown up accommodation for grown up people who may easily include heads of state, high ranking politicians, presidents, princesses and their security detail. The Silvio Nickol restaurant has two Michelin stars and access to one of the finest wine cellars in the world. Dinner is available here from Tuesday to Saturday only, but if this fits, and you can secure a booking, you will not be disappointed. This is world class stuff. A la Carte Breakfast is served in an adjacent conservatory which opens out onto the lovely landscaped terrace which surrounds the Palais. No run-of-the-mill buffet breakfast here. On the Piano Nobile, the state rooms have been completely refurbished and are a sight to behold, possibly surpassing the state rooms at the famous (and it must be said glorious) Albertina museum. The Mirror Hall, The Yellow Salon, The Family Salon, The Blue Salon, are used for private parties and receptions, and guests can be forgiven for being distracted - Prince Ferdinand certainly knew how to show off his wealth and connections. And finally, to the basement where over 60,000 bottles of the finest wines from all over the world are stored in individually themed cellars in perfect temperature controlled conditions. Over 6,000 labels are represented. It is an astonishing collection and heavy security is in place. The reining Sommelier is, like the wines, of considerable international renown. Wine tours and tastings are available and with such a wide choice, oenophiles can major on almost any grape, region, year, label - you name it and Palais Coburg will almost certainly have it. Stay here and swap life from mere mortal to demi-God - but expect a price tag to match.