City Trips from Vienna to Merano
Cities full of history – and hotels that bring that history to life.
Between Art, Culture & Imperial Splendor
When the city squares grow quieter, the lights take on a warmer glow, and nature around you turns a radiant gold, this is the perfect time for a city trip. Time to stroll through old lanes, linger in museums, sit in cafés, and let your soul unwind. Schlosshotels & Herrenhäuser are part of these cities – they carry their rich history within them, keep it alive, and make your experience complete.
In Vienna, the traditional Hotel König von Ungarn, the artful Hotel Altstadt Vienna, and the majestic Schloss Schönbrunn Grand Suite reflect the many facets of this metropolis on the Danube. In Kufstein, the Platzhirsch blends Tyrolean charm with Viennese coffeehouse culture, while baroque Schloss Leopoldskron brings the cultural history of Salzburg to life. In Merano, the tranquil retreat Hotel Castel Rundegg unites southern ease with alpine elegance, while in the Slovak city of Trenčín, Hotel Elizabeth revives the splendor of the Jugendstil era beneath mighty castle walls.
City Trip to Vienna: Three Establishments, Three Chapters of Viennese History
Few cities blend past and present as effortlessly as Vienna. Between grand architecture and modern galleries, between coffeehouse and museum, there emerges an approach to life defined by elegance, lightness, and a hint of nostalgia.
Hotel König von Ungarn – In the Heart of the Imperial City
One of Vienna’s oldest hotels, the Hotel König von Ungarn owes its name to the glittering days of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, when Hungarian nobles and magnates resided here in luxurious apartments year-round. Situated directly behind St. Stephen’s Cathedral –in the heart of the city yet wonderfully secluded – everything is within easy reach: Stephansplatz and Kärntner Straße, the opera and museums, cafés and boutiques.
Just a few steps away, at the nearby Mozarthaus Vienna, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart once lived – and composed The Marriage of Figaro. In the hotel’s “Mozartstüberl,” you can still feel it – that spirit of music, culture, and élan that gives Vienna its unmistakable character. After a day full of memorable impressions, the open gallery with a view of the courtyard invites you to pause – a quiet corner of Vienna where the city itself seems to hold its breath for a moment.
What makes this house truly special is not just its history, but the people who continue to write it. For decades, the seasoned team here has welcomed guests with genuine Viennese warmth – familiar faces you are happy to see again. Art historians, tour guides, hosts by vocation – they all know where Vienna sounds, tastes, and shines at its best, and they take pleasure in sharing those small secrets hidden between splendor and poetry.
Hotel Altstadt Vienna – Art, Culture & Design in the Creative 7th District
A little removed from the bustle of the city center, Boutiquehotel Altstadt Vienna invites guests to immerse themselves in Vienna’s creative soul. Every suite in this artful design hotel in the 7th District is a one-of-a-kind creation: the Library Suite, for instance, reflects Vienna’s literary spirit; the Hoschek Suite radiates playful elegance and feminine refinement; and the Moretti Room bears the unmistakable signature of an artist who has called this place home for decades. Actor Tobias Moretti designed it together with Eugenie Arlt and Degenhard Andrulat – as an encounter between the mountains of Tyrol and the Viennese stage, between retreat and expression. “I appreciate the incomparable atmosphere of the Hotel Altstadt Vienna. For someone who dislikes leaving but loves arriving, it’s both a comfort and a blessing.” – Tobias Moretti
The entire house is at once a gallery, atelier, art hotel, and meeting place. In its corridors, salons, and rooms, there unfolds an impressive collection of contemporary art – featuring works by Andy Warhol, Brigitte Kowanz, Markus Prachensky, Gottfried Helnwein, and many others. Together, they give the house its unmistakable character: personal, inspiring – and imbued with a true sense of Viennese Gemütlichkeit.
Schloss Schönbrunn Grand Suite – Stay in the Imperial Summer Residence
Those who wish to experience Vienna’s imperial side stay at the Schloss Schönbrunn Grand Suite – in the midst of the former Habsburg summer residence and once home to Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth (Sisi). Today, magnificent Schönbrunn Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, affording unparalleled views of the palace gardens and the splendor of bygone days.
Especially in the morning, when the first rays of sunlight gild the baroque façade of Schönbrunn and only the chirping of birds breaks the silence, the imperial residence reveals its most beautiful side. And when evening falls and the crowds disperse, a special stillness settles over the palace – then, Schönbrunn is almost yours alone: serene, majestic, and timelessly beautiful.
Despite its peaceful, verdant setting, the city center of Vienna is only minutes away: the Schönbrunn subway station is nearby, allowing guests to reach the Karlsplatz, the Vienna State Opera, or the Naschmarkt in barely ten minutes. A nexus between vibrant city life and imperial tranquility that couldn’t be more harmonious.
City Trip to Kufstein: Between Urban Flair and Mountain Scenery
Small enough to explore on foot – yet large enough to offer something new time and again: Kufstein captivates visitors with its imposing fortress, historic old town, vibrant cultural scene, and close proximity to the Tyrolean mountains. Flanking the River Inn, shaped by history, and framed by alpine landscapes, the city blends Tyrolean authenticity with urban spirit.
Platzhirsch Kufstein – Viennese Coffeehouse Culture in the Heart of Tyrol
Vienna may be the birthplace of coffeehouse culture – but in Kufstein, it finds its charming alpine continuation. In the heart of Kufstein’s old town stands the Platzhirsch – “the house on the square” and truly one of a kind. Once a stately townhouse steeped in tradition, it has been carefully restored and today combines Viennese coffeehouse flair with modern Tyrolean architecture. Behind centuries-old walls unfolds a world of contemporary design, cozy elegance, and the aroma of freshly roasted coffee wafting from the in-house roastery. With its prime location directly on the Unterer Stadtplatz, overlooking Kufstein Fortress and just steps from boutiques, cafés, and the Inn, the Platzhirsch unites the best of town and nature.
In the evening, the Platzhirsch transforms into a stage for culinary creativity through its Talentschmiede – a “talent forge” where young chefs conceive, prepare, and serve their own menus, each crafted with heart, skill, and personal flair.
City Trip to Salzburg: In the Footsteps of Mozart, Max Reinhardt, and "The Sound of Music"
Salzburg is a destination that resonates – with Mozart, with church bells, with the soft murmur of the Salzach River in the mist. In the golden light of autumn, the city of Mozart reveals its quiet, almost poetic side – and it becomes clear why it has long been the stage for great moments in music and film history. With its baroque old town – one of the best-preserved city centers north of the Alps and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997 – Salzburg carries its cultural legacy with graceful ease.
Schloss Leopoldskron – Where Salzburg’s Cultural History Lives On
Just minutes from Salzburg’s city center, on the idyllic banks of the Leopoldskroner Weiher, lies Hotel Schloss Leopoldskron – a haven for thinkers, dreamers, and connoisseurs. Once a gathering place for intellectuals and artists, it became the birthplace of ideas that would spread around the world. The palace gained international fame as a filming location for the beloved movie “The Sound of Music” – today, it serves as a venue for events, weddings, and conferences. A place of encounter and inspiration, Schloss Leopoldskron not only preserves history but continues to shape the future.
Even before it became a film setting, Schloss Leopoldskron was a center of great ideas. In the 1920s, theater pioneer and co-founder of the Salzburg Festival Max Reinhardt breathed new life into the building with its magnificent library. Especially on days when Salzburg is cloaked in soft mist, the library reveals its full magic – a quiet refuge for thought, conversation, and reflection. A place that shows why Schloss Leopoldskron is well worth a visit in every season.
City Trip to Merano: La Dolce Vita with Mountain View
Merano is a city that dances between the seasons – where palms and mountains meet, where mild light and alpine air stimulate the senses. In autumn, this spa town reveals its quieter, yet no less beautiful side: the light softens, the air grows clearer, the city falls still. Palms, vines, and cypresses glow golden in the sunlight, and above the rooftops, the first snow-capped peaks of the South Tyrolean Alps begin to glisten.
Hotel Castel Rundegg – A Quiet Retreat in the Heart of Merano
Those who wish to experience this South Tyrolean way of life in its purest form will find the perfect place at Hotel Castel Rundegg. This historic adults-only hotel lies just a few steps from Merano’s old town and the Passer Promenade, inviting guests to savor autumn in South Tyrol with all their senses: while strolling through the narrow lanes, enjoying a traditional Törggelen, or simply pausing in the castle garden where the city itself comes to rest.
Here you find what Merano promises: stillness without standstill, elegance without pretense. A haven for adults who wish to enjoy life in its finest, most subtle form – poised between dolce vita and alpine serenity.
City Trip to Trenčín: The Hidden Pearl of Slovakia
Those who venture farther east will discover a city full of character: Trenčín. In the charming cafés and small boutiques of its old town, you can feel the gentle rhythm of everyday life, while the ancient fortress towering above the city tells stories of centuries past.
Hotel Elizabeth – Jugendstil & History at the Foot of Trenčín Castle
At the base of Trenčín Castle rises Hotel Elizabeth – a Jugendstil icon and one of the most storied hotels in Slovakia. Originally built as the “Erzsébet Szálló,” this elegant grand hotel unites the glamor of a bygone era with the creature comforts of a modern business and wellness retreat.
From the hotel, it is just a few steps into Trenčín’s old town or up to the fortress, whose ramparts offer sweeping views over the city’s rooftops, the River Váh, and the golden autumn hues of the Váh Valley. Directly behind the hotel, carved into the castle rock, lies the famous Roman inscription of Trenčín from 179 AD – the oldest Roman monument in Slovakia, visible only from the hotel and a remarkable testament to two millennia of history.
Five cities, seven establishments – and countless stories. From Vienna to Merano, from Kufstein to Trenčín: our Schlosshotels & Herrenhäuser are part of these stories – inseparably tied to their home cities, which is perhaps what makes them the most ideal places imaginable to experience them.
