The accommodation units are clearly classified and divided according to the type of accommodation and the level of comfort. The tourist information offices have comprehensive information on rooms for rent in all possible accommodations, including their prices and equipment. They often search and book accommodation themselves, with no or low fees. They do not always offer the cheapest places, but taking advantage of their services, you can save a lot of time, especially in big cities (like Vienna), where finding accommodation can be a headache.
There is now a general trend in Austria to introduce a higher standard of accommodation at higher prices (np. rooms with showers in the corridor, the so-called. bunk shower, are gradually modernized and equipped with individual showers). This makes life difficult for tourists with modest cash resources, who more and more often can only count on shelters.
In all seasons it is better to make reservations well in advance, but in July and August, as well as around Christmas and Easter, it is absolutely necessary. If your itinerary prevents you from booking accommodation in advance, at least it is worth calling a day before arrival and asking for free places. However, this must be borne in mind, that telephone reservations are not accepted everywhere. Written confirmation of the reservation is binding on both parties and both parties may request compensation in the event of non-use of the booked room or its non-availability.
Included in the price of accommodation in the hostel, breakfast is included in the guesthouse or hotel mentioned in the guide, unless otherwise stated. In mountainous regions, the rates in the high season can be even twice as high as in the off-season; in May and November the prices are the lowest. In cities, prices may change by a maximum of 10%, and in cheaper dormitories they do not change at all.
Hotels and guesthouses
Hotels and guest houses are rated by category from one to five stars, depending on the equipment offered. But although the evaluation criteria are the same, cannot be expected, that a three-star guesthouse will be equal to a hotel with the same number of stars. Guesthouses are usually smaller, offer more cozy conditions, they have less standard furnishings and equipment, but they do offer bigger and better rooms (for the same price as in hotels). However, they certainly cannot compete with hotels for additional services (np. room service, washable) or equipment in place (np. private parking, bar and / or restaurant). If someone doesn't care about it, then he should go straight to the guesthouse.
With some minor exceptions, the rooms in hotels and guesthouses are clean and properly furnished. In tourist regions, you should expect a minimum expenditure 24/40 € for a single / double room. with a shower in the corridor or 30/48 € for a room with separate shower. In less popular towns, you can save approx 3,50 € per person. Some hotels have price ranges in the guidebook; the actual price depends on the size, the location and standard of the room, as well as the expected length of stay and season. In ski resorts, the differences in prices between the high season and the off-season can be quite significant, therefore both summer prices are given in the guidebook, and winter.
The less traffic, including mid-range and high-end hotels (and to a lesser extent guesthouses) are more willing to negotiate prices. It is also always worth asking for a special offer (usually much cheaper). Some hotels also offer weekend discounts or two nights for the price of one. Even in cheap guesthouses it is worth asking about special prices, if it is planned to stay longer than a few days. Credit cards are rarely accepted in cheap hotels and guesthouses.
In the cheapest accommodation facilities, a room with a shower is usually a room with a shower cabin rather than a suitable bathroom. If there is a telephone in the room, it is usually also possible to connect directly with the city, but it is always more expensive than using a telephone booth. TV sets in rooms more and more often provide the possibility of receiving satellite or cable TV, which is definitely a plus compared to the two Austrian public television programs. Superior rooms are usually equipped with a minibar.
In mid-range hotels, the prices of alcoholic beverages are comparable to those in bars, but in high-class hotels they are very high.
Many hotels and guesthouses have rooms with three or more beds, and sometimes a cot can be added to the room (you should ask about this at the reception). The smaller one- or 2-star hotels and guesthouses do not have a lift. Some old Viennese houses have elevators, but to use them, you must have a key, provided by the service.
In hotels and boarding houses, there is usually the possibility of full board. Meals are served either in restaurants dedicated only to hotel guests, or (which is more common) in generally accessible restaurants. A bed and breakfast-only guesthouse is called Fruhstuckspension, I am such a hotel – Hotel-Garnic. Other hotels and guesthouses offer full board or just half board (of course, for an appropriate surcharge). In cheap places only breakfast is usually offered, however, it can happen, that it is just something to drink, rolls, butter, cheese and jam. If you pay more, breakfast will be better. In two-star hotels and guesthouses, it is usually the so-called. breakfast extended (expanded), in resorts of three stars or better it may be a buffet (typical includes a variety of breakfast cereals, juices and a selection of cold cuts and cheeses, and in higher standard hotels also scrambled eggs, sausages and bacon). In 5-star hotels, breakfast is at an additional cost, but sometimes it can be included in the cheaper, weekend rates.