Built close to the water
Historic hotels by a lake, the Danube, and a natural swimming pond
Summer Holidays at the Schlosshotels
A dock. A shady spot. A jump into the water. The gentle lapping of waves along the shore, a bird calling out above the lake, the clink of a glass on the terrace as the sun slowly dips lower. Holidays spent by the water feel different. Calmer. More immediate. And one step closer to summer.
Schlosshotel Iglhauser: Private Lake Access on Lake Mattsee
Sailboats swaying in the harbor, willow trees along the shore, fishermen standing on the dock, and the quiet shimmer of Lake Mattsee: just 24 kilometers from Salzburg, 4-star Schlosshotel Iglhauser sits on a small peninsula directly on the lake, complete with its own sunbathing lawn and private swimming access for hotel guests. Here, the day begins with soft morning light over the water, continues perhaps with stand-up paddling, sailing, or simply walking barefoot across the grass to the lake, and ends in the romantic garden terrace while the evening air still holds the warmth of the day.
Water, Culinary Delights, and a Touch of Salzburg
The hotel’s own Tassilo Bath is a quiet extension of the water - a small wellness and bathing area that brings the calm of the lake indoors. Schlosshotel Iglhauser is supplied entirely with revitalized Grander water. Even the cuisine retains close ties to the surrounding region, featuring fish from their own waters, products from nearby farms where nature is nurtured, and herbs from the hotel garden. Here, the lake is more than just a pretty view - it shapes much of what makes this property so special. And whenever the city does call, Salzburg is only about half an hour away.
Tip: Due to its unique location and atmospheric ambiance, Schlosshotel Iglhauser is also a wonderful setting for seminars, weddings, and celebrations by the lake.
Hotel Restaurant See-Villa: Where the Lake is Part of the Garden
Just a few steps separate the historic See-Villa from Lake Millstatt. In between lie expansive park grounds, old trees, a sunbathing lawn, and 200 meters of private shoreline. Guests looking to explore the surrounding area will find cycling and hiking trails around the lake, the Millstätter See High Trail, water sports, and an 18-hole golf course. Many activities can be arranged directly through the hotel - from boat and e-bike rentals to shuttle services for cyclists and hikers.
Because Everything Tastes Better by the Water
The lakeside terrace is one of those places where people like to linger a little longer. At the “1884” restaurant, awarded three Falstaff forks, regional cuisine meets refined international influences. Game from the hotel’s own hunting grounds, freshly caught fish from the region, herbs from the hotel garden, and fruit and vegetables from nearby farms all give the dishes a true sense of authenticity and origin. Add carefully selected wines from the hotel’s own winery, views across Lake Millstatt, and the feeling that everything simply tastes a little bit better by the water.
Seeschlössl: Hideaway on Lake Wörthersee
On Lake Wörthersee, just a few steps from the lively town center of Velden, Seeschlössl sits almost hidden within its 7,000 m² park grounds. Built in 1914 as a summer residence, the property still reflects the classic architecture of Lake Wörthersee: bay windows, terraces, turrets, bright facades, and that distinctive style somewhere between summer retreat and sophisticated salon culture. With room for only around thirty guests, it offers plenty of space for those seeking something special and who appreciate the quieter side of Wörthersee. Inside, the English-style floor plan, fine parquet flooring, and elegant rooms evoke a bygone era. Outside, the park begins - and with it, the short walk down to the lake.
Private Beach rather than Promenade
The day begins on the lakeside terrace with a lavish breakfast and sweeping views across Lake Wörthersee. Later, a stone staircase leads down to the private beach and bathhouse - tucked away in the greenery and reserved exclusively for hotel guests. Down there, the lake is your constant companion: as you swim, read on the lawn, or perhaps even take the boat out onto the water. Summer on Lake Wörthersee couldn’t possibly be more all-embracing than this.
Schloss Hotel Fernsteinsee: Three Houses, Three Lakes, One Invitation to Slow Down
High above the emerald-green lake rises Schloss Hotel Fernsteinsee - an ensemble of three lovingly, at times resplendently designed properties: the historic Schloss itself, the cozy hotel, and charming Villa Lorea next to a mountain stream. Each is a retreat in its own right, together forming a nature resort with 280,000 m² of open space. Rather than entertainment programs, guests are greeted by the gentle splashing of a nearby waterfall. Instead of a pool bar, there are three private lakes reserved exclusively for guests - complete with romantic sunbathing lawns and complimentary row- and pedal boats. The mountains of the Zugspitz Arena frame the scene, with the Schloss at its heart bringing the history of three eras vividly to life.
Dive In. With or Without Fins.
Guests staying at least two nights receive an exclusive diving permit for the castle’s private lakes. Beneath the surface, Lake Fernstein reveals an entirely different side of itself - a hidden world and an experience fairly reckoned among the “100 TOPS OF THE WORLD.”
Heritage.Hotel Hallstatt: Front-Row Seat in a UNESCO World Heritage Site
The balcony door stands open. Beyond it: Lake Hallstatt, steep rock faces, and boats gliding silently across the water. Guests staying at Heritage.Hotel Hallstatt find themselves right in the middle of a centuries-old UNESCO World Heritage Site - spread across three historic townhouses just a few steps from the lake. Breakfast by the water becomes the quiet beginning of a day that can unfold in so many different directions.
Water and Mountains Always Close By
On warm days, the water seems to draw people almost automatically. For a swim, to stretch out in the sun, to watch the boats drift slowly across the lake. Those wanting to head out onto the water themselves can opt between a rowboat, pedal boat, or electric boat. Particularly beautiful: a ride on a traditional, flat-bottomed Zille in the early morning hours, when Hallstatt still lies quiet; or, come evening, a picnic and a glass of wine bringing a day on the lake to a harmonious close.
And then there are the mountains. They give the waters around Hallstatt a second, wilder side: rafting on the Traun River near Bad Goisern is powerful and exhilarating, while canyoning through the gorges of the Salzkammergut feels raw, untamed, and overwhelmingly close to nature.
Renaissancehotel Raffelsberger Hof: A Retreat for Afficionados
In the heart of the Wachau UNESCO World Heritage Region lies the Raffelsberger Hof – close to the Danube, surrounded by terraced vineyards, rolling hills, and an iconic landscape shaped by the river for centuries. Once the home of a shipmaster, the Renaissance building dating back to 1574 now welcomes guests in the form of a lovingly restored boutique hotel with the character of an upscale bed & breakfast.
Between the Danube and a Natural Swimming Pond
The Danube is never far away here. It accompanies walks through historic villages, past abbeys, vineyards, and scenic viewpoints along the river. After a day spent between water, wine, and World Heritage scenery, a small natural swimming pond awaits in the garden of the Raffelsberger Hof - surrounded by flowering shrubs, fragrant blossoms, and quiet corners to relax completely. Right beside it, the garden sauna blends naturally into this peaceful world of greenery, warmth, and water.
With just fifteen rooms and suites, the Raffelsberger Hof preserves the kind of personal atmosphere that suits the Wachau so well: refined, relaxed, and deeply connected to the surrounding landscape. Outside, the river. In the garden, the pond. Indoors, the history. And in between, a place that brings guests wonderfully close to the Wachau itself.
Hotel Richard Löwenherz: Monastery Garden and Pool on the Danube
Set between the Danube, the abbey, and the old town walls, Hotel Richard Löwenherz is a Wachau classic with a front-row seat on the river. The Danube flows directly past the hotel, calm and sedate. Behind the property lies the monastery garden, sheltered by ivy-covered walls and the former Gothic church. Beneath the large linden tree, there is always a shady spot to sit, figs ripen for guests to pick in summer, and right in the middle lies the pool - pleasantly cool, peacefully tucked away, and just right for a break after a day spent exploring the Wachau.
Wachau Cuisine on the Danube Terrace
When the golden evening sun glistens upon the Danube, dinner on the riverside terrace inevitably becomes the favorite part of the day. Served here are classics of Austrian cuisine - from fresh Marchfeld asparagus in May to those legendary apricot dumplings during the summer months. Even the traditional rotisserie chicken has a well-deserved place on the menu - perhaps dating back to the age of Richard the Lionheart himself, whose name the hotel proudly bears to this day.
Sometimes that is all it takes for summer to turn into a true vacation: a few steps to the water, a quiet spot in the shade, an evening spent by the lake or river - and historic hotels full of character that give these moments a perfect backdrop.
