Best Family Friendly Castle Stays in Austria - 2023

Most Famous Guests: Richard Wagner, Johannes Brahms, Emperor Franz Joseph I, Charlie Chaplin. “Stay at the Imperial and feel like an Emperor,” said Charlie Chaplin during his visit, and that just about sums Hotel Imperial up. Completed in 1866 as a residence for Duke Philipp of Württemberg the neo-classical Palais Württemberg, as it was known, was within 10 years transformed into the Imperial, a hotel that quickly became known as Vienna’s finest and grandest. Not much has changed – Hotel Imperial has still such a reputation, and has managed to retain the ambience of the grand old days of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, with its ornate marble, hand-carved statues and massive crystal chandeliers, while subtly adding modern facilities and comforts along the way. The service here is consistently impeccable and its Michelin-star restaurant, the OPUS, is considered one of the very best in Vienna, be sure to try at least one evening meal. THE ACCOMMODATION: There are 138 double/twin rooms in total, 62 of which are suites, a much higher proportion than usually found in, even the most luxurious hotels, and thus are relatively good value compared to rooms. The suites are really a cut above, and if you need extra convincing; READ MORE

Most Famous Guests: Catherine the Great, Alexander von Humboldt.  A very special hotel in a very special location; Castle Hotel Mönchstein sits, fairy tale like, atop the Hill of Mönchsberg in old Salzburg, is surrounded by its own wooded parkland and has stunning views of Mozart’s city below, and the glorious Alps. It has excellent spa facilities, massage, beauty and wellness treatments, an infinity swimming pool and an outdoor hot tub. It also has two of the very best restaurants in Salzburg, and a chic, stylish bar. All in all Schloss Hotel Mönchstein is a top of the range luxury 5 star hotel with an elegant ambience, exceptional levels of service and one which consistently appears in any sensible list of Austria’s very best hotels. THE ACCOMMODATION: The have a range of double rooms and suites, all of which are spacious and well appointed, and with some nice marble bathrooms (with jacuzzis, and some jacuzzis with a view). All the suites, and the largest of the rooms; the Executive Rooms, have space for another two single beds, or one double, if required, and so can sleep up to four people in total. The interiors of the rooms and suites, and indeed of the hotel generally, READ MORE