Fairytale Nights: Sleeping in a Palace

Lovingly renovated castle and palace hotels combine the charm of historic edifices with contemporary comfort and have guests revel in dreams of bygone eras.

Castle dreams

Castles and palaces are an integral part of Austria’s landscape and enchant with their ancient walls, towers and ramparts. Their secret walkways and romantic parks contain riddles about past eras and are a testament to the long cultural history of our country.

Reasons enough to enjoy this special atmosphere during an overnight stay: Austria’s castle and palace hotels offer the opportunity to stay at those revered buildings.

What makes a palace stay so relaxing

A change of scenery stimulates the senses and affords new perspectives. The unusual palace atmosphere does its part to help you escape the daily grind: New impressions, magnificent architecture, and different background sounds help to immerse yourself in a new world. The peace and relative seclusion of most castles and palaces is another welcome factor that contributes to the relaxation of body and mind and will help recharge your batteries. 

Many of Austria’s palace hotels offer exclusive service and top-notch amenities so that guests can experience the historic setting at the same time as modern luxuries, wellness treatments and award-winning cuisine. 

A bed chamber by the lake

These castle hotels not only impress with their time-honored walls, but also with their location on crystal-clear waters.

Magical nights in mystical places

As if a night in a castle weren't extraordinary enough, some renovated estates enchant with truly unique highlights, like underground labyrinths.

Royal suites and dreamy views in SalzburgerLand

In SalzburgerLand, unique natural beauty meets a rich cultural history: at Hotel Schloss Leopoldskron, guests can step into the world of the iconic film The Sound of Music, parts of which were filmed there.

For theatre and music lovers, Schlosshotel Iglhauser at Lake Mattsee is a dream come true, known for its open-air summer festivals. This 15th-century castle has retained the charm of its original brewery inn and now serves exceptional fish dishes.

Equally delicious offerings await at Hotel Schloss Prielau, where the two-Michelin-starred chef creates stunning dishes. And for those seeking a touch of medieval flair, a stay at Hotel Schloss Mittersill, with its 900 years of history, is a must.

Breathe in mountain air: overnight stays at lofty heights

Perched high on the peaks, castle hotels enchant guests with Alpine flair and scenic views from century-old chambers. Nestled in the mountains, they blend historical charm with peaceful tranquillity, surrounded by nature. Here, the grandeur of the mountains and the history within these venerable walls come together for a truly unique experience.

Where knights, monks and countesses once lived

The well-preserved items of furniture, wall frescoes, artworks and even weapons and porcelain collections make it possible to get a glimpse of life in different eras. What was daily life like for the maids, court jesters, bishops and aristocrats who lived back then? Let your imagination roam free.

Slumber in the heart of a World Heritage Site

Not only are the rooms of these castles unique highlights, their world-famous backdrops are as well:

Fancy a glass of wine?

Amidst gently rolling vineyards, castle hotels invite you to stay in style. The blend of historic ambience and the picturesque vineyard backdrop creates an atmosphere of pure enjoyment and tranquillity. Here, guests can experience the rich tradition of winemaking and sample fine wines directly on site.

Slow down with slow food cuisine

Hotel dining in harmony with nature

At Schloss Lerchenhof in Carinthia, the slow-food philosophy revolves around local ingredients and resources straight from the area. The castle is surrounded by sustainable farmland, where wheat is milled onsite and baked into deliciously crispy bread for breakfast each morning.

Kids can explore the farm, while adults recharge on the Kneipp path along the stream. This Biedermeier-style castle brings the easy charm of the era to life, where calm and relaxation flow naturally from the rhythm of the land.

Lerchenhof Castle

FAQs

Vienna

  • Schönbrunn Palace

Burgenland

  • Bernstein Castle

Carinthia

  • Hotel Gurk Abbey

  • Castle Berg Klösterle

  • Hotel Schloss Lerchenhof

  • Seefels Castle

  • Seeschlössl Velden

Lower Austria

  • Dürnstein Castle

  • Schönau Castle

Upper Austria

  • Clam Castle

  • Heritage Hotel Hallstatt

  • Hotel Spital am Pyhrn

Salzburg

  • Castle Fuschl

  • Castle Hotel Iglhauser

  • Hotel Schloss Leopoldskron

  • Hotel Schloss Mittersill

  • Hotel Schloss Prielau

Styria

  • Hotel Judenburg

  • Castle Kapfenstein

Tirol

  • Hotel Bergschlössl

  • Hotel Schloss Fernsteinsee

  • Hunting Lodge Kühtai Resort

Vorarlberg

  • Hotel Hirschen Schwarzenberg

Carinthia

  • Seefels Castle

  • Seeschlössl Velden

Upper Austria

  • Heritage Hotel Hallstatt

Salzburg

  • Castle Hotel Iglhauser

  • Castle Fuschl

  • Hotel Schloss Leopoldskron

Tirol

  • Hotel Schloss Fernsteinsee

The suite at Schönbrunn Palace is open to guests for overnight stays. Claustrophobia won’t be an issue here—the chambers span over 167 m² ( 1,798 ft²) of the former summer residence of the imperial family.

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