Room Service: Palais Coburg Vienna, Austria

The Palais Coburg feels, at times, more museum than hotel; a gleaming neo-classical building with plenty of restored gilt and marble dating back to the mid-19th century.

The Palais Coburg feels, at times, more museum than hotel; a gleaming neo-classical building with plenty of restored gilt and marble dating back to the mid-19th century.

The palace was built as a summer residence for Duke Ferdinand von Sachsen-Coburg-Gotha - a relative of Prince Albert - and sits above a section of Vienna's 16th-century city walls. These were built to protect the city from the Turks during their siege, and have now been uncovered and restored in the hotel's basement.

During the 20th century, the building fell into disrepair but in 1997 a new owner invested €85m (£61m) in its restoration. Today, it is one of the most illustrious addresses in the city and features a comfortable fusion of sleek modern design and historic grandeur.

In the palace's staterooms portraits of the Saxe-Coburg dynasty decorate the walls. The 35 individually decorated guest suites range from contemporary urban apartments to duplex "imperial suites", with antique furniture, and are dedicated to members of the Saxe-Coburg family.

Because of the ratio of building size to room numbers, you'll feel like you have the run of the place - during our stay we had the spa and pool entirely to ourselves. The hotel also boasts a Michelin-starred restaurant, serving excellent Austrian and modern European cuisine.

LOCATION

Hotel Residenz Palais Coburg, Coburgbastei 4, 1010 Vienna, Austria (00 43 1 518 180; www.palais-coburg.com). The hotel is situated in the Innere Stadt, the mostly-pedestrianised area of the city in which historical sites, such as the Hofburg Palace, Albertina and Museums Quarter are located.

COMFORTABLE?

No expense has been spared in the hotel's design. The beds are sure to be a hit with duvet-hoggers, since two single box-stitched duvets are provided per double bed. Suites have individual climate control; some have electronically powered blinds and skylights, others heavy curtains and double-glazing. All benefit from large windows, and the loft suite has a waterbed and whirpool.

Freebies: A generous selection of L'Occitane goodies in the bathroom, a fridge filled with half bottles of champagne and wine, beer, bottled fruit juices, still and sparkling water and a fresh fruit bowl. You won't find any hidden extras on your bill - everything provided in the suites is included in the room rate.

Keeping in touch: All rooms come equipped with Mobile WLAN tablet PCs with complimentary high-speed internet access, Bose stereo, flat screen TVs, DVD player and direct cordless phones.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Suites start at €460 (£329) a night, including breakfast. There are no seasonal rates.

I'm not paying that: The Hotel Rathauspark (00 43 1 40 412; www.austria-trend.at/rhw) at Rathausstrasse 17 near the Hofburg Palace, Parliament and university offers unfussy, contemporary design in an unbeatable location. Doubles start at €195 (£139) including breakfast.