First time visitor and have points to use between two Marriotts:
Both seem to have similar general reviews, so trying to pick based on location.
This will be for Dec 24-28th.
The courtyard Marriott
Courtyard by Marriott Vienna Prater/Messe, Trabrennstraße 4, 1020 Wien, Austria
or the Renaissance Wien
Renaissance Wien Hotel, Linke Wienzeile/Ullmannstrasse 71, 1150 Wien, Austria
I guess it depends on what you want to do and see. They both seem to be a very long walk from Stehansplatz. Renaissance looks closer to Schonbrunn Palace.
The Renaissance location is far better , hands down .
From neither location you can walk to the city center in a reasonable time.
But both locations are right at a subway station: Courtyard Marriott U2, Renaissance U4.
You need to get acquainted with the public transport system in Vienna anyway, and you will see that you can get around easily.
I recommend buying the recently introduced flexible 7-days-pass, which allows you to select the first day of validity (as opposed to the regular calendar week pass). This pass is available by online booking, only. Because it is strictly personal, you must create an account during the booking process. Best is to do it at home in advance if you have a printer.
https://shop.wienmobil.at/products/T7T31_VIE
Scroll down to the very bottom first to change the language to English.
You may install the WienMobil app on your smartphone and do everything with that, but I have no deeper experiece using that.
Just checked out of the Marriott luxury property in Vienna, Hotel Bristol. It is in an excellent location across from Vienna Opera and with public transit close by and within 10 minute walk of St.Stephens. It might be pricey on your dates, but I got it for around 300 Euro per night. Not cheap, but reasonable for a Marriott.
No question, the Renaissance.
The Courtyard is located in the convention center area which is completely devoid of any character. The Renaissance is located in not the most amazing part of town but it’s close to Schönbrunn (no good restaurants or attractions anywhere nearby unless you like Turkish food). I’ve had work guests using the Renaissance for months now and they’re happy.
The good thing about both locations is that they are very convenient to the subway/Ubahn and other forms of public transportation. You would never walk to Stephansplatz from these hotels when you can be there in 7-10 minutes by subway.
The Renaissance is located .... (no good restaurants or attractions anywhere nearby ....
Not quite true, maybe you try these:
https://schwabl-wirt.at/de/home
http://www.caferaimann.at/
https://www.velani.at/en
