From the Alps all the way to Salzburg and Vienna, Austria is simply breathtaking. Rolling green hills blending beautifully into crisp, snow-capped mountains and many wonderful cities or villages bathing in a fable-like atmosphere – that’s how you could easily describe Austria.

With a heritage left by its glorious past as the most important nation in the whole Habsburg Empire, Austria is still today one of the favorite countries for the world’s upper class. In addition, there are countless adventurers who take the Austrian Alps – which cover more than half of the country’s surface – for their playground when it comes to outstanding experiences – from hiking to world-class skiing, snowboarding and even more extreme sports like base jumping.

Right next to the heavenly Hohe Tauern National Park – the largest nature reserve of the Alps – there’s the mighty Schloss Mittersill hotel. Surrounded by the most magnificent of views Austria has to offer, including the Grossglockner towering 3.798 meters above the sea level, Schloss Mittersill offers an unforgettable experience in what’s probably one of the most picturesque regions in the world.

First Impression

Today a welcoming and hospitable hotel, centuries ago an idyllic castle serving as the seat of the region and home to princes and counts, Schloss Mittersill has hundreds of years of tales to tell from its birth back in the year 1150 to the modern world.

Across the centuries and many owners, the castle was reshaped and remodeled, taking a good number of roles until eventually ended up in the hands of two committed families in 2009, who renovated it with love and dedication into the masterpiece it is today.

Schloss Mittersill is now a luxurious hotel, that includes a lovely spa area, an outdoor pool in the garden of the castle, a superb bar and several lounges, seminar and events rooms, book and media libraries plus a sports and shooting club.

The hotel’s most famous past guests include the likes of Clark Gable, Coco Chanel, Princess Soraya, Gina Lollobrigida, Bob Hope, Queen Juliana of the Netherlands and many other Hollywood celebrities and VIPs.

Accommodation

There are a total of 43 rooms and 10 suites awaiting guests at Schloss Mittersill. And they all include all the amenities and comforts one would expect from a luxury hotel. The lovely antique furniture and fine materials complement the modern decor of the rooms, giving them a timeless look. The windows open to the stunning views of the Hohe Tauern National Park.

The suites are elegant, airy and spacious and named after the Hollywood stars who’ve repeatedly came back to Schloss Mittersill. And it’s no wonder that happens since the suites offer some exclusive extras such as the over-length box spring beds, Nespresso coffee and tea making machine, the DVD and book telling the story of each particular suite plus many other surprises and bonuses.

While we were there, we’ve had the opportunity to sleep in the lovely Clark Gable Panorama Suite. Spacious and very bright due to the generous panoramic terrace with breathtaking views all around, this beautiful suite offered all the modern facilities and gadgets you could possibly hope for.

The Joka box-spring extra length bed and the additional comfy sofa, the fireplace and the wooden floor and the amazing bathtub with a view made our stay there memorable. You could say this suite is a wonderful mix of modernity and history.

Among the other amenities, we had a hair dryer, bath robes, a mini bar and safe, LCD TV and radio, free W-LAN. But when we got to the bathroom, we were simply amazed. There is a separate toilet room, and the shower and bath had such a lovely view, the kind that makes your stay there even more wonderful.

Eating & Drinking

When it comes to eating and drinking, the hotel’s restaurant focuses on regional and traditional Austrian cuisine and their wine cellar seems to be well-stocked with all the good wines. There are a good number of venues where meals can be served, from the outdoor terrace to the castle’s historic dining room.

The breakfast consists of a rich buffet with a good selection of fresh regional and local products plus some home made varieties. All kinds of cheese, fresh fruit, jams, eggs and dairy products, waffles and pancakes and high quality coffee from Julius Meinl were enough to get us a good hearty start every day.

There is also a four course evening meal which includes some interesting regional delicacies, plus an exquisite wine menu. Vegetarian and vegan options are part of their menu as well.

The hotel’s Glass House and Panoramic Terrace is a special location and the perfect place to serve the breakfast and start the day with a stunning 360° view of the mountains around.

Spa & Wellness

The castle’s spa & wellness facilities are a new addition and include an all year round heated outdoor pool right in the garden of the castle, with views towards the mountains around. There are as well a bio and Finnish sauna, a saltwater steam bath and panoramic relaxation rooms with comfortable loungers.

For those enjoying a good workout, they’ve got a modern and well equipped fitness room. In addition to all that, there is a private sauna with its own relaxation room for those who want a more intimate way to relax.

Add massages and body treatments, face and beauty care, high quality SOTHYS Paris cosmetics and a dedicated and skilled staff to help with all your exercise and relaxation needs.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve always dreamed about spending a few days in an old castle that was turned into a luxury hotel, this is as good as it gets. Schloss Mittersill looks like it comes straight from a fairy tale, offering fabulous views and an incredible ambiance inside. This place is picture perfect, but it’s also very quiet, comfortable and ideal as a starting point for summer hikes as well, if you’d like to explore the national park.