Inside An Unforgettable Lakeside Austrian Getaway At Rosewood Schloss Fuschl
Lakeside views framed by sweeping mountains, exquisite tasting menus, an impressive spa, enchanting interiors, five-star service, and a fairytale castle to top it all off… Austria’s Rosewood Schloss Fuschl, just half an hour from the city of Salzburg, is a near-perfect hotel. Astrid Carter, Contributing Fashion & Lifestyle Editor at The Handbook, had the pleasure of staying in the luxury hotel for two nights. Here’s why she believes it could be the ideal destination to explore, unwind, and recharge…
What sets it apart
Some places stay with you forever, and Rosewood Schloss Fuschl is one of them. Steeped in history, the hotel was built in the 1460s as a hunting lodge for Salzburg’s Prince Archbishop Sigmund I. von Gleink-Volkersdor; it housed American soldiers during WWII, served as a film set for one of Austria’s most cherished movies, and has hosted stars and politicians from Audrey Hepburn to Richard Nixon. It has been among Austria’s finest five-star hotels since the 1950s and, in 2024, joined Rosewood’s prestigious portfolio following a significant renovation and relaunch.
The turquoise-hued waters are so clear you can see metres below the surface.
It is Rosewood’s expertise in hospitality that sets Schloss Fuschl apart. Yes, it boasts a stunning backdrop of lake and woodland that invites instant relaxation, but it is the hotel’s five-star, impeccable service that makes this place an exceptionally special home away from home. From the chic spa and charming interiors to the cosy, fire-lit bar and diverse dining options, this hotel beckons you to check in and never leave, even though the fairytale-like city of Salzburg is just half an hour away.
The location
Set on the edge of Lake Fuschl, the scenery is utterly breathtaking. The turquoise-hued waters are so clear you can see metres below the surface. Add to that a pretty unspoilt woodland that surrounds the lake and the Alps sitting stoically in the distance, it’s the perfect place to find true peace and quiet.
The rooms
There is no denying that Rosewood Schloss Fuschl boasts impeccable interiors. Every corner, cushion, artwork on the wall and paint shade has been chosen with great taste. In the bedroom, a soft colour palette of greens and lavender, soft blues and browns mirrored the breathtaking vista of Lake Fuschl on the other side of the floor-to-ceiling window.
At the centre, a sprawling bed plump with perfect white sheets and framed with individual, charming artworks that bring a homely feel, and our favourite piece, a bespoke arc-shaped bar handpainted with the sweetest woodland and lake motif of the lake outside and filled with the usual suspects as well as quirky bottle cocktails and sweet Austrian treats.
A soft palette of greens and lavender, blues and browns mirrored the breathtaking vista of Lake Fuschl on the other side of the floor-to-ceiling window.
For those with deep pockets, there are also suites, chalets and houses on the property offering serious five-star luxury – they come complete with everything from lakeside balconies to saunas and your very own butler.
The stunning interiors stretch throughout the whole hotel. In the Schloss Restaurant, you can sink into mossy green velvet banquettes and jewel-toned chairs, with flattering low-lit little lamps on each table and grand chandeliers above. The mood is relaxed but luxe and feels even more special at night when the lighting is lowered and takes on a more romantic feel. The devil is in the details, from handblown spotted water glasses to the sprawling floral arrangements they interchange between breakfast and dinner sittings.
Art is very much woven into the fabric of the interiors here – an ode to the Old Masters of Renaissance paintings and Baroque sculptures. You could spend hours walking the floors of the hotel and taking in the artworks that have been so cleverly chosen to reflect the hotel’s charm and history, as well as a move into a modern, luxury hotel.
Food & drink
There are several options for eating and drinking whilst at the Rosewood, which is ideal as once you’re checked in, you really won’t want to leave again. There’s also not really much around the property (part of its charm), so it’s kind of essential.
The star dining option is the Schloss Restaurant, which celebrates authentic Salzkammergut cuisine and local produce with an elevated edge. The tasting menu is ideal if you’re looking to indulge, but after three days of feasting on hearty Austrian cuisine in nearby Salzburg, we decided to go for the (slightly) lighter a la carte option.
To start, we tucked into a rainbow-hued plate of Aberseer sheep cheese, marinated beetroot and buckthorn, as well as silky Jerusalem artichoke soup with grapes and tarragon that made the insides of our cheeks pucker. Before tucking into a duo of local deer served with a traditional plump dumpling, chard, berries and a pop of pistachio crumb. For dessert, we couldn’t say no to one last Salzburger Nockerl – the region’s signature pudding that they are immensely proud of and sits on just about every menu throughout the city. As a table of two, the chefs made us a smaller version of the usual behemoth three-peaked mountain of sugary souffle and, instead, brought us a more manageable but still sizable dish of fluffy goodness.
From the chic spa and charming interiors to the cosy, fire-lit bar and diverse dining options, this hotel beckons you to check in and never leave,
Breakfast is also served in the Schloss restaurant when the dining room is drenched in sunlight and dappled flickers reflecting off the crystal clear lake below. It’s honestly one of the most calming, wonderful ways to start the day that we’ve ever experienced, served with delicious breakfasts of pastries, salty Austrian bread, cheese and meat, burrata salads and – the star dish – smoked trout from the on-site fishery.
If you’re after less formal dining during the day or night, there are other options at Schloss Fuschl. There’s the Vinothek, a traditional alpine hunting lodge in the middle of the property, serving up warming soups, hearty deer sausages and decadent truffle meatloaf, as well as an extensive wine list, all perfect for recharging after a hike with weary feet and flushed cheeks.
Come evening, cosy up in the roaring fire-lit Schloss Bar. Their cocktail list is full of unusual flavours that will warm you up on chilly Austrian days, from edelweiss vodka to cherry and hazelnut to cranberry bitters. If in doubt, they do a damn good negroni that we can vouch is very sinkable paired with crispy aubergine from the excellent bar snack menu.
Things to do
Top of the list, and it doesn’t even involve getting dressed (other than a swimsuit and robe), is the Rosewood spa. The hotel group are renowned for its stunning Asaya spas, and this is no exception. From the 20-metre outdoor infinity pool to the low-lit, impeccably chic indoor pool and the series of saunas, steam rooms and relaxation areas, you can spend a good few hours here totally destressing. Treatment-wise, there’s just about everything you could want in the chilled-out-bliss-wellness real, many using locally grown herbs and plants and Austrian salts.
The hotel is in a prime location for those who like to hike. Take a one-and-a-half hour hike to the other side of the lake to find the sweet summer holiday town of Fuschl – note, it can be very quiet in the cooler months – and stop for lakeside steins and local dishes, before another one-and-a-half hour trip along the other side of the lake to bring you back into the comfort and warmth of Rosewood.
To top it off, there is even a museum on-site. Set in a building in the middle of the castle’s courtyard, you’ll find a charming little collection dedicated to the 1955 film Sissi, where Romy Schneider brought the beloved Empress Elisabeth to life, including memorabilia from the set, vintage film posters and real-life artefacts of the Austrian royals.
The turquoise-hued waters are so clear you can see metres below the surface.
If you want to dip your toes into something a little more bustling, Salzburg is closeby with an array of cultural offerings, from a brilliant classical music scene thanks to the city’s famous composer Mozart to some of the most beautiful churches you’ll ever see, chocolate shops and traditional restaurants serving up mammoth portions of schnitzel.
Check out our travel guide to Salzburg.
The verdict
You’d be hard-pressed to find a hotel you’d rather spend a few days doing pretty much nothing in. From the backdrop of mountain views to the five-star spa, tasting menus to immaculately styled rooms and impeccable but warm and friendly service, Rosewood is a hotel to reserve for those special celebrations, big birthdays, honeymoons or babymoons. It’s not cheap, but it’s also unforgettable and will leave you feeling like modern-day Austrian royalty.
How to get there & booking
There are up to three daily flights operating between London and Salzburg, plus other less frequent flights from other UK airports. It is about a 30-minute drive from Salzburg Airport or Salzburg City to Rosewood Schloss Fuschl. You can also take a two-and-a-half-hour train from Vienna to Salzburg and jump in a taxi. Room prices vary throughout the year, but rates start from £395.
ADDRESS: Schloss-Straße 19, 5322 Hof bei Salzburg, Austria
WEBSITE: rosewoodhotels.com
