21 Dec: Flying to Vienna and the Hotel Imperial, Vienna

We arrived at the airport early enough to get some breakfast at the British Airways First Class lounge at Terminal 3. OK, so the flight to Vienna does not have First Class but that is the advantage of have top frequent flyer status.

Decisions! Decisions! Eggs Benedict or a Full English for breakfast. 

Spectacular early sunset over the Alps. Its 21 December, the shortest day of the year, so sunset was really early. The trouble with cloud cover that thick, you know while its beautiful on top of the cloud cover, it is going to be horrible under the cloud cover.

Sure enough, there was a white coating of snow on the sidewalk and on the trees. The temperature was minus 3 C (27F) but it felt OK since there was no wind blowing. Found a pretty Christmas tree covered in snow on the way to dinner.

Checked into an Elisabeth Suite at the Hotel Imperial, Vienna. Managed to find a decent price in Starwood Thanksgiving sale. Check-in was very efficient. Receptionist walked us to our suite and we were met at the door by our butler.

The bedroom and bathroom (with lovely heated marble floors, a real plus in this weather).

The hallway leading to the front door, the very large walk-in closet and the toilet. 

The living room complete with the welcome amenity - a box of the hotel's signature Imperial Torte. Also a plate of daily petit fours cookies and some rather nice fruit.

Got the very (and I mean VERY) dashing butler to deliver some tea to go with those cookies. We declined to have our bags unpacked, since we are only here for one night. He did hang our winter coats up for us.

The layout of the suite is strange but this is an old building trying to cope with modern hotel room facilities. The walk-in closet is in the hallway, away from the bedroom. The massive bathroom has double basins, walk in shower, bath and bidet. However, the toilet is away in the hallway.  Still, the room taps has mountain water so is drinkable, rare for Europe where the water is normally hard.

The public rooms on the ground floor are impressive and the Christmas decorations are not excessive and tasteful.

The grand staircase with small Christmas tree:

The lobby/reception

The bar/lounge with massive Christmas tree and a centrepiece comprising three chandeliers.

A different angle of the bar/lounge taken when during after dinner drinks with live pianist playing in the corner.