5 Star Grande Dame Hotel
The original hotel on this site was built in 1863-6 by a renowned architect of the time, Carl von Schwarz, set directly on the Salzach River bank and with a spectacular view of the entire Old City of Salzburg. An immediate success with royalty, VIP's, and artists of all stripes, it was bought in 1988 by the Gurtler family, related to the Sacher Hotel in Vienna. This hotel is an annual honoree on all the lists of Europe's Best 100 hotels, usually in the top half. A complete renovation over the recent period retains the classic architecture including a major staircase worthy of royalty, with each room different and with both hallways and rooms decorated with fine art. The restaurants all overlook the river. Services include a fitness and health club. The hotel is a member of Leading Hotels of the World, but that is hardly the outfit with whom to book a room.
We scored a very low rate on the internet and were surprised to be given a river view room overlooking the city. The room was relatively small but for the price a steal. Similarly the bathroom was small and ever so slightly dated with combined shower and tub next to the toilet. However overall it was most comfortable, kept spotless and in order by the housekeeping staff, and featured line drawings of Empress Sissi and Salome Alt on the walls.
The restaurants were awesomely expensive and of course our rate did not include breakfast, a sumptuous display priced at an inconceivable 50Eu per person. Nice hotel.
There were a few negatives however. We found the concierge staff to be most interested in selling bus tours and very costly chauffeur driven outings and somewhat weak in knowledge on other touristic ventures. For instance, they were totally unaware of the combination package offered by the Austrian train system for the Salt Mine Tour - after finding it on the internet, the young concierge could only state that "it's a great deal". Restaurant recommendations were limited to the hotel.
Rooms facing the river offer spectacular views over the old city. However, half of the 113 rooms must face the other way - over the congested noisy main avenue between the railway and the Staatsbrucke, the most important vehicular crossing of the river. The view over the traffic is of a bunch of nondescript stores and buildings which must be a true disappointment. Be forewarned - river view or nothing.
Unique Quality: The location is superb, not far from the Maribel Gardens and the Mozart Musem yet only a short walk across the pedestrian or State Bridge to the Old City.
The room color schemes appeared different even in the standard rooms on the second ( for US readers third ) floor.
Sachertorte in Hotel Sacher / Salzburg
Hotel Sacher
The hotel Sacher.
Hotel Sacher in Vienna
