Let me take you on a quick trip back in time, to the Fall of 2023. My two friends and I decide to plan a long-awaited “boys’ trip” to Europe, with an approximate trip date of September 2024. Now, right before this decision, I found the world of points and miles. Naturally, I volunteer to cover the hotel stay. There is only one problem. It is extremely challenging to find a hotel room in Europe which accommodates more than two people per room. At least in the standard rooms.

With only a modest stash of points to work with, I quickly hone in on the most recent Hyatt acquisition: Lindner Hotels. These hotels are known for their budget-friendly Category 1 and 2 (the lowest Hyatt award categories) scattered across Central Europe. After considering the Lindner Hotel Antwerp and the Lindner Hotel Prague Castle, I stumble upon the Lindner Vienna am Belvedere. What makes the Lindner Vienna am Belvedere a perfect option is the availability of a “Wellness Suite,” that sleeps three guests – comfortably. Not only that, but the room comes with some unique perks…

Hotel Award Booking (10/10)

The Lindner Vienna Am Belvedere is a Category 1 hotel in the World of Hyatt program (as of 2024). The standard award rate for a room at this hotel is 5,000 points, but can range between 3,500 (off-peak) to 6,500 (peak). A steal. However, the standard room only accommodates two adults. Instead of booking two rooms, and spending 10,000 points total per night, I book the Wellness Suite, which accommodates up to four adults, for only 8,000 points per night. Given the cash rate for the suite is €220 per night at the time of booking, this is a fantastic redemption!

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As the Wellness Suite is the only room of its kind at the Lindner Vienna am Belvedere, I make the booking 11 months in advance. The room tends to book quickly. This does require a little “Tetris” with the schedule – almost all Saturday nights for the next 12 months are booked solid. Thankfully, I find award availability from Sunday to Friday in September 2024.

Note: While I advise you to book the hotel as far in advance as possible, during my award searches, I notice “last minute” award availability in the quieter, cooler months of Spring. 

Interestingly, a change in our travel plans (thanks for canceling my flight Air France) gives my friends and I an unexpected “extra night” in Vienna. This is where the true value of points and miles, and the amazing customer service of the World of Hyatt program, shines. With almost no hassle, I am able to add the extra night to our existing hotel booking. Instant points transfer from Chase. Check. World-class customer service from the World of Hyatt reservation team. Check. Potential night-on-the-street crisis averted. Check!

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Hotel Location And Local Transportation Options (8/10)

Whenever I travel internationally, my preference is to stay outside the main areas of a city. This enables me to see parts of the city I may miss with a more central location and get a feel for the true “soul” of a destination.

Lindner Vienna Am Belvedere Location

The Lindner Vienna Am Belvedere sits in the 3rd District of Vienna, just southeast of the city center – in the same neighborhood as another Hyatt property: Andaz Vienna Am Belvedere. It is a 20-30 minute walk to the St. Stephen Cathedral in the heart of the Innere Stadt (city center) and is conveniently located near the north entrance to the beautiful Belvedere Gardens.

Although the hotel is right next to these iconic (and touristy) palaces and gardens, the 3rd District itself feels refreshingly local and free from the heavy tourist crowds. The opportunity for me to explore the quieter side streets around the hotel adds a unique layer to the trip. A glimpse of Vienna beyond the main attractions. The 3rd District also feels incredibly safe – I walk back to the hotel late at night multiple times without a second thought.

Public Transportation

One of the best perks of staying at the Lindner Vienna Am Belvedere is the easy to access public transportation system – a key factor which has earned Vienna the title of “The Most Livable City In Europe” for several years. The hotel is steps from a stop on the 71 tram line, which connects to the famous Ringstrasse encircling the Innere Stadt. I find myself using this tram line daily during my stay to get from the hotel to the main attractions in Vienna. The Vienna tram system is incredibly convenient and efficient.

The hotel is also close to the Rennweg S-Bahn station, where you can hop on the S7 line to reach the airport for only €4 — a straightforward and affordable option that makes arrivals and departures a breeze.

Vibe And Atmosphere (8/10)

Before this trip, my experience with Category 1 Hyatt hotels in the United States is mostly limited to the Hyatt House and Hyatt Place brands. I affectionately call these brands the “Suburban Rectangle Hotels.” Given this experience, I set the bar low for the Lindner Vienna am Belvedere. But this hotel is far more luxurious than any Category 1 property should be, and I quickly notice that this is not your stereotypical “budget brand” hotel.

The design of the hotel is sleek and modern, with clean, sharp lines that give it a minimalist yet stylish appearance. Art pieces are subtly placed throughout, adding just the right amount of character without overwhelming the limited space. The lobby bar, conveniently located near the entrance, makes it easy to grab a nightcap on the way back to my room – just be sure to arrive before 23:00 (11:00 P.M.) when it closes.

Throughout my stay, the hotel remained remarkably quiet. In fact, I am surprised on the second morning of my stay, when I see two large tour buses our front, picking up what must be a massive tour group. Until then, I assumed the hotel is nearly empty during the mid-week period.

Normally, I do not choose a hotel for the “vibe,” since I spend most of my time outside the hotel exploring my destination, but the Lindner Vienna am Belvedere feels like it offers more. The elevated ambiance creates a memorable experience. In fact, during my stay, I keep reminding myself that this is a Category 1 Hyatt property and considered a “budget option.”

Note: The guest demographics lean toward Business Travelers, as the hotel has several conference rooms and meeting spaces. 

Hotel Check-In (8/10)

Upon entering the Lindner Vienna Am Belvedere, the check-in counter is immediately visible to the right. Although it is possible for me to check-in via the World of Hyatt app, I opt to check-in at the counter. It is a quick and smooth process. The front desk staff all speak fluent English (as well as some other languages I am sure), which saves me from reverting to my rusty, broken high-school German. With that said, I am always amazed how far a quick bitte (please) and danke (thank you) take me.

At check-in, the front desk staff warmly acknowledge my World of Hyatt membership status, confirm the number of room keys my friends and I need, and give us clear instructions on where to find our room. The front desk staff also provides a quick overview of the hotel amenities, including the bar and restaurant, the fitness room, and a general wellness area with a sauna.

It is a seamless and effortless welcome and start to my stay.

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Wellness Suite – Bedroom And Living Space (9/10)

I booked the Wellness Suite (60 square meters) primarily for the private sauna and ability to sleep three adults, but the room exceeded my expectations in so many other ways.

The suite includes two main areas: a sitting room and a master bedroom. These two rooms are set directly next to each other without a hallway. When I first walk in, I think it is the wrong room, as the master bedroom and bathroom are not visible from the entrance. A few more steps reveal the master bedroom, just off to the right. It is fantastic.

The master bedroom features a double bed (which feels as spacious as a normal king bed), a storage bench beside the bed, and a large dresser with ample space for clothing. The bed itself is extremely comfortable, though it does have a European-style setup with two individual duvets instead of a top sheet. If you are like me, and tend to “sleep warm,” make sure to keep the air conditioning on at all times. It works well enough, but I could see the air conditioner having problems in the summer months. Fortunately, it is Fall in Vienna, and the weather is a perfect temperature.

Note: Many hotels in Europe either do not have air conditioning or have “limited” air conditioning. Something to be aware of for the summer months. 

The sitting room comes with a couch, coffee table, desk, and desk chair. The couch has a “pull-out” feature, and is already made for us on arrival – a thoughtful touch which helps my friends and I settle in after a long travel day. While I sleep on the double bed, my friend who sleeps on the pull-out couch is thrilled. He says it is the most comfortable pull-out couch he has ever slept on. With the pull-out bed in place, the coffee table is tucked to the side, partially blocking a doo that connects to an adjoining standard room. The sitting room also includes a mini-fridge, clothing storage, and a room safe.

Both the sitting room and master bedroom have large windows that look out over the courtyard at the hotel, though there is not a view of the city. Facing southeast, the windows bring in plenty of morning sunlight, so I make sure to close the window shades whenever I want to sleep-in the next morning. There is also a sliding door between the two parts of the room added privacy.

My only complaint? The light switches are a bit of a puzzle at first!

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Wellness Suite – Bathroom (10/10)

The highlight of the Wellness Suite is, without a doubt, the spacious, open-concept bathroom, complete with its own sauna — a feature that truly makes this suite stand out. The bathroom flows into the master bedroom, with a free-standing whirlpool tub acting as a divider between the dual sinks and the sleeping area. For those traveling with friends who value a bit of privacy, there is a large, four-paneled sliding glass door that can be used to separate the bathroom from the rest of the room. Additionally, both the master bedroom and the sitting room in the suite have separate, enclosed toilet rooms for added privacy.

One of my favorite features is the massive rain shower with eight adjustable shower heads. Standing at 6’1”, I often find hotel showers a bit cramped, but this one is tall and spacious. The water pressure varies slightly depending on which shower heads are activated, but overall, it is a relaxing experience. The water heats up well, though fine-tuning to the ideal temperature takes a bit of care and practice.

The in-room sauna is a unique perk that drew me to this suite, and it does not disappoint. Although it is a dry sauna where you can not pour water over the heating element as in traditional saunas, it reaches a satisfying temperature and comfortably seats 2-4 people.

Note: If you are planning on enjoying the excellent wine scene in Vienna, remember to hydrate well before and after your sauna sessions.

Hotel Amenities And Facilities (7/10)

There is Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, though I find the signal a bit spotty in my room. In multiple situations, I turn off the Wi-Fi and just rely on cell service instead – it just works better. Since I am mainly in the room to sleep or use the sauna, the Wi-Fi is not a major issue. However, if I am planning to work from the Wellness Suite, the inconsistent Wi-Fi connection poses a challenge.

With each day packed full of sightseeing – I average 26,000 steps per day – and the private in-room sauna, I have not need to use the communal fitness or wellness rooms at the hotel. I did check out the fitness center one day. It is a decent size at around 50 square meters and includes a treadmill, exercise bikes, free weights, a bench, and mat space – covering most workout needs for hotel guests.

One noticeable feature of the hotel is the three small, but quick elevators. While the elevators do fit up to four people, the fit is quite snug – especially when comparing to elevators in the United States. Thankfully, on most occasions, I ride the elevator solo between the lobby and my room on the 7th floor.

Breakfast (N/A)

Sadly, I do not have World of Hyatt Globalist status, which means no free breakfast during my stay. However, if you do have Globalist status, the hotel offers a traditional European continental breakfast buffet in the Wintergarten restaurant. There are some reviews from guests who have trouble accessing the breakfast buffet, but I think this is mostly during the time immediately after the Lindner Hotels joined the World of Hyatt program. With that said, it probably still makes sense to confirm your breakfast benefit at check-in.

So what did I do for breakfast? Well, Vienna is famous for its cafe culture and incredible culinary scene. I eat out every morning at a different local spot. One standout cafe is Meierei im Stadtpark, a Bib Gourmand-awarded spot just a 15-minute walk from the Lindner Vienna am Belvedere. The breakfast is phenomenal. Another fantastic breakfast option for a classic Viennese breakfast is Cafe Schwarzenberg – only a 5-minute tram ride into the Innere Stadt.

On-Site Dining Options (N/A)

The Lindner Vienna Am Belvedere offers convenient on-site dining at Restaurant 1723, a cozy restaurant that specializes in traditional Austrian dishes and a selection of local wines. The focus here is on authentic flavors and a relaxed atmosphere. Prices are reasonable, especially compared to restaurants deeper in the city center. For instance, the Wiener Schnitzel — a must-try when in Vienna — is nearly €10 less here than at other nearby spots during dinner.

Restaurant 1723 is open from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, with the bar open a bit later until 11 p.m. It is a great option for enjoying local flavors without venturing far from my room.

Staff And Service (8/10)

Aside from check-in, I have minimal interaction with the hotel staff, but every experience is positive. The team at the Lindner Vienna Am Belvedere is friendly, professional, and skews a bit younger than the staff at many hotels, which added a fresh vibe to the service. Throughout our stay, the service meets my expectations and felt consistently attentive.

One notable interaction is with our housekeeper, whom we encounter one afternoon when we return earlier than usual for a quick nap. She quickly finishes up while I wait in the hallway, remaining polite and efficient throughout. Each day, our room is thoroughly cleaned, and it is clear that attention to detail is a priority here.

World Of Hyatt Status Benefits And Recognition (7/10)

At check-in, I am pleasantly surprised when the front desk staff recognize my Hyatt Member status, even though it is the lowest tier in the World of Hyatt program. I have only stayed three nights with Hyatt this year. It is a small gesture, but it makes me feel valued as a guest.

For Globalists, the most notable benefit here at the Lindner Vienna Am Belvedere is the complimentary breakfast buffet at the Taste It restaurant. However, one thing to keep in mind is that premium internet access is not offered — even Discoverists and higher-status members only have access to standard internet throughout the property.

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Final Thoughts

The Lindner Vienna Am Belvedere is an exceptional value at just 8,000 Hyatt points per night, especially with unique perks like the private sauna in the Wellness Suite. Its location near the Belvedere Gardens and proximity to public transportation make it ideal for exploring both the iconic and local scenes in Vienna. Despite minor issues like spotty Wi-Fi, the overall experience — from friendly service to convenient amenities — makes this hotel a top choice for budget-conscious travelers looking to maximize their points in Vienna.