Known for its majestic mountains, magical forests and picturesque old towns Austria draws in visitors who love the great outdoors. Look beyond its natural assets and you will find a country steeped with history, culture and an unexpected bustling vibe. Explore our collection of luxury hotels to discover more.
Vienna
Palais Hansen Kempinski
A listed heritage site, this stunning hotel provides luxury in the grand tradition. Its facilities range from modern conference rooms to palatial apartments, reminiscent of old Vienna. There’s a ballroom, a flower shop, a spa and even a cigar lounge – if you travel with your own cigars, you can take advantage of the hotel’s humidor to store them. The hotel is located near the Danube, in the historic heart of Vienna. There are a number of suites – the Presidential is the largest suite in Vienna. Enjoy a great selection of bars and restaurants too.
The Guesthouse Vienna
If a boutique hotel is more your kind of thing, the Guesthouse is a member of the Design Hotels group, with Conran-designed interiors. The design ethos is manifest in a relaxed, calm but luxurious hotel that is modern and uncluttered, yet superbly comfortable. The location is right in the middle of the city, behind the Opera. Dogs are welcome, with a free bed and dog cookies provided, and every room has its own espresso machine.
Hotel Sacher
Irresistibly Viennese and very grand, this hotel has hosted everyone from the Queen to Mahatma Gandhi. The rooms have been designed by a French interior designer, preserving the historic features but giving a light and elegant finish. There’s a lovely, sunny terrace on the top floor, overlooking the city, an impeccable concierge service and elegant private rooms for dining and entertaining. There are two restaurants, the famous Blue Bar and a typically Viennese coffee room where you can enjoy the original sacher torte, a hotel speciality.
Do and Co Hotel
Do and Co is located right in front of St. Stephen’s cathedral, a stone’s throw from the Opera and Vienna’s best shopping streets – a really superb location. One of the smaller luxury hotels in Vienna, Do and Co has a restaurant on the top floor of the hotel with stunning views. The Onyx bar is very popular, and it too has amazing views of the cathedral. The restaurant covers traditional Viennese dishes but it also specialises in sushi, sashimi and fresh fish.
Hotel Bristol
The Bristol opened in 1892 and is now a Luxury Collection hotel. US Presidents, crowned heads and eminent musicians have all stayed here. Located next to the Opera, the hotel is famous for its personalised concierge service. Some of the suites have art deco styling, and one is situated in a tower, with its own terrace. The Prince of Wales suite offers a library, sauna, living room and study. There’s a contemporary fine dining restaurant, as well as the Bristol lounge and a winter garden restaurant.
The Ritz Carlton
The facade of the Ritz Carlton is one of the most elegant in Vienna, showing its origin as four linked palaces built between 1865 and 1871. The hotel is situated on the prestigious Schubertring. It has a farm-to-table steakhouse along with a lobby lounge for light meals. The D-bar features professional “mixologists” and more than 40 different rums, while the rooftop bar is ideal for taking in Vienna’s skyline. For relaxation, the hotel has a spa, fitness centre and swimming pool. The spa suites can be booked by couples, and feature a private whirlpool bath and luxury amenities.
Le Méridien Vienna
Situated in the city centre between two parks, Le Meridien Vienna is a luxury hotel with an emphasis on combining modern design with ultimate comfort. The rooms are chic, calm and welcoming. There’s a superbly designed fitness centre and spa with its own swimming pool, and you can also book a massage, wellness treatment or session with a personal trainer. There are two lounges – one with a DJ or live music in the evenings, while the other is a little more relaxed and has a champagne bar.
Salzburg
Hotel Sacher Salzburg
This elegant hotel is set right on the bank of the Salzach River and originally opened its doors in 1866. The public areas are filled with impressive antiques, while the guestrooms located on the upper floors feature stunning views of the Old Town. There is a large sauna and steam room for guests to unwind in, while the gym is fully loaded and features modern exercise equipment. Indulging in a cocktail or two on the river terrace is an experience that guests will not want to miss, while the onsite Zirbelzimmer is the perfect place to sample traditional Austrian cuisine such as baked pike perch and roast guinea fowl.
Hotel Schloss Mönchstein
Guests who want the chance to feel like royalty are sure to love staying in this magnificent castle, which is set high on a hilltop overlooking the Old Town. Panoramic city views can be enjoyed by taking a stroll through the surrounding forest, while the infinity edged outdoor swimming pool also allows guests to soak up the view while unwinding in style. There is also an outdoor hot tub to make use of, while guests are made to feel truly special with a welcome drink, complimentary fruit basket and Guglhupf cake. Seekers of pure relaxation can choose from a wide range of treatments in the Mönchstein SPA, while the Glass Garden restaurant has won several awards for excellence and is set with a terrace where guests can take in idyllic views of Salzburg while they dine in style. There are several different styles of rooms and suites to choose from and each suite is especially lavish with rich furnishings and huge windows providing a choice of city or garden views from their balconies.
Hotel Bristol Salzburg
Set opposite Mozart’s former home in the very heart of Salzburg’s right bank, Hotel Bristol Salzburg boasts timeless grandeur. Guests are sure to be impressed by the chandelier-lit interiors, polished service and rooms filled with antiques. Breakfast is designed to be a grand affair and is served in the simply stunning Crystal Ballroom. An elegant wrought-iron staircase leads the way up to the guestrooms, which are set with plush drapes and fabrics, with warm tones and antique furnishings. The Street-facing rooms provide stunning views of the Makartplatz with the fortress in the distance, while the courtyard rooms are also very pretty. People who demand nothing but the best should make sure that they reserve the Makart Room, which boasts a powder-puff pink bathroom and a huge living room to lounge in while enjoying first rate service.
Hotel Goldener Hirsch
This luxurious hotel can be found in the heart of Old Town and has been offering a warm welcome to distinguished guests for more than 600 years. The Hotel Goldener Hirsh has been created in the style of an Austrian countryside manor and boasts white walls with exposed brick with the signature gold stag prominent both on the exterior and throughout the interior of the building. Each of the seventy guestrooms boasts a different style and character and many feature antique furnishings that help to set a truly elegant tone. The establishment also plays host to two of Salzburg’s most prominent eateries, which are popular among both local people and visitors to the city. The s’Herzl is more than 250 years old and features a cosy atmosphere. Alternatively, lovers of fine dining can indulge in a meal at the Goldener Hirsch, where dishes tend to be light and made of fresh local produce such as venison served with asparagus, wild mushrooms and garlic gnocchi.
Tyrol
Dasposthotel Zell am Ziller
This four-star family-run boutique hotel is ideal for guests seeking a homely stay. Echoes of nature run through the warm and exquisite interior design in its 70 rooms. Bold textiles, chandeliers, feature patterns and natural wood textures fuse rustic and refined elements to create a unique and cosy environment. Organic and sustainably sourced menus can be enjoyed at the hotel’s restaurant, Heleni, while the outdoor pool, sensuous spa and quaint garden alcoves provide plenty of opportunity for relaxation. It has the added benefit of being an environmentally certified, energy-saving establishment.
Hotel Das Central
This was the first five-star hotel in Sölden and recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. Guests staying in one of the 125 rooms at Hotel Das Central experience Alpine luxury life and sublime relaxation along with ‘toque‘-awarded gourmet cuisine. A visit to its large spa is a must – it comprises ten different saunas and steam baths, a health buffet,16 treatment rooms and a three-storey Venetian styled water world with a pool. For those visiting in pursuit of the best slopes, the hotel’s Ötztal Alpine backdrop provides some of the region’s best powdery pistes.
Hotel Klosterbräu & Spa
This romantic wellness hotel in the Olympic region of Seefeld is a haven for active couples and families alike (that includes your dogs – the host family has five of their own and extends the five-star treatment to four-legged visitors). There’s plenty of adventure to be had with activities including outdoor moonlit swims, tobogganing, igloo building, curling and snowshoe hiking. The hotel’s ethos is to cater to the needs of each individual with warm hospitality and fantastic food. If you’d like to escape the outside world with a loved one, pay a visit to the private spa for couples treatments, or enjoy the saunas and relaxation areas of the main spa. While the hotel’s exterior and some of the suites are traditional in style (this was once a 16th-century monastery), the theme of the interior design in its 90 rooms is contemporary and comfortable.
Lanserhof Lans Lans, Tyrol
The first Lanserhof opened its doors in the Tyrol in 1974 and has since become one of the most renowned med-spas in the world. The sleek design and floor to ceiling glass windows showcase the pines and Nordkette Alps on the doorstep. Holistic treatments are designed and carried by doctors and specialists in natural healing – well-heeled guests come here to detox, recharge, reset, recover from burnout or find wellness. Pioneering treatments include cryotherapy, ionic footbaths, detox-cupping, Kneipp water therapy, IV oxygen therapy and 24-hour sleep tracking. A stay of at least a week is suggested, during which top-notch healthy fare is enjoyed in the Lanserhof Lans’ calming ambience.
Nidum Casual Luxury Hotel
A stay in this relatively new contemporary chalet hotel is sure to delight. Each of the 57 rooms boasts a south-facing balcony or terrace, espresso machine and minibar, while some suites offer saunas and freestanding tubs. Nidum has an outdoor infinity pool, a 1500 metre square rooftop spa with panoramic views, three dining areas and a library with over 2000 books. It’s just a 20-minute drive to Innsbruck airport, skiing is close by at Gschwandtkopf, or if visiting in summer months don’t miss a dip in lake Möserer. It tends to be more popular with couples, than families, although all holidaymakers are made most welcome.
Alpin Lodge das Zillergrund – Mountain Aktiv Relax Hotel
Family-run for five generations, this Alpine lodge welcomes families, couples and solo travellers alike. The 34 cosy rooms vary from singles through to large premium suites. There’s plenty to keep you busy with a programme of optional year-round activities and a games room for the kids to burn off some energy. The Zillergrung national park is close by, providing plentiful hiking, biking and skiing opportunities. Indulge in some ‘me’ time at the Natural Alpine Spa including an Ahornach spring pool with waterfall, a glacier water adventure trail, herb steam bath, Finnish sauna, pool bottom bubbles, and whirlpool. The culinary offer is equally appealing with local dishes created using ingredients sourced on the hotel’s own farm, or from those nearby.
Aqua Dome Hotel Tyrol
Often described as the best thermal spa in the Alps, this is the place for water lovers. Enjoy magical winter swims as the steam rises from the unusual bowl-shaped outdoor pools (there are a total of twelve indoor and outdoor pools to choose from). Sweat away your cares in one of the seven saunas and enjoy tasty cuisine in the four restaurants and bars and take in the epic mountain vistas of the Ötztal valley. Visitors can stay for the day by buying a spa pass or book a room in the adjoining hotel. The site is instantly recognisable with it’s futuristic, quirky architectural design, while the interior design is chic. Facilities are state of the art and it’s easy to see why this hotel won the World Spa Award for the World’s Best Mineral & Hot Springs Spa in 2018.