Nikola from our MEININGER Hotel Vienna Downtown Franz answers some questions and tells you the must-sees in Vienna!
What’s your name and what’s your job at MEININGER?
My name is Nikola and I work as a receptionist in one of three MEININGER Hotels in Vienna: MEININGER Hotel Vienna Downtown Franz. I like my job because it is much diversified. So I worked for longer times in Berlin, Amsterdam and London and I showed my commitment in different hotels and countries. I love my job because you never know what’s going to happen next. My employment brought me far and my experiences affected me as a person.
What is the question most guests ask you in the hotel?
„Can I have the password for the WIFI?“ – Well, I can understand this in the age of the Internet. Having a connection to the Internet is very important for every traveller. But please do not forget to discover my hometown Vienna. Do not waste your time surfing in our lobby: Vienna has a lot to offer. I travel too and my best memory is to stroll around a city with other backpackers from all over the world and to chill all night long with an alcoholic (or non-alcoholic) drink accompanied from guitar sounds.
What is typical about Vienna?
Typical? Is there a plural version of this word? There are a lot of things that are typical for Vienna, but what comes first to my mind are the cosy coffeehouses – no matter if you like a white coffee, a small or big brown coffee or a mokka. For example there is the café Hawelka, where Friedensreich Hundertwasser spent his mornings with a cup of coffee and the newspapers. But Udo Jürgens and Andy Warhol were guest at the Hawelka, too.
What do you have to experience in Vienna?
Discover the city by foot. If you walk around the Kohlmarkt or if you see rich Viennese men prancing around in there suits: the charm of the 19th century remains in memory in Vienna. If you are hungry after a long day of sightseeing, go to the Café Demel where you get the famous and tasty Sachertorte.
What’s your insider tip for Vienna?
Visit the Steffl – the St. Stephen’s Cathedral in the heart of Vienna. It is definitely a must for all tourists with its gorgeous and pompous interior. If you are free from giddiness and more or less sportive, you should climb the 343 stairs of the spiral stairs to the observation tower. The entrance is cheap. You get an amazing view over our historic center and more of the city as a reward for all the effort. Who wants to avoid the exertions can use the elevator to the South Tower. The cathedral is always popular but only a few people know that a lot of symbols at the front tell stories from the middle age.
I do not recommend going to the famous Kärtnerstreet if you are hungry to feed our hunger. It is very expensive and not always satiable or it does not taste as you expected. That is why you should risk a look to the side roads. You will find many small and good restaurants that offer tasty menus and do not overstretch your wallet.
