Page 291 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2016 - Austria

Where t o st a y  289

Schloss Hotel Dürnstein (see
p295) in the Wachau region,
the lakeside Schloss Freisitz
Roith (see p296) in Gmunden
and Schloss Mönchstein (see
p298) in Salzburg. Each of
these offers up-to-date
accommo dation facilities in
luxurious surroundings. All of
them are richly furnished and
some even exude the romantic
atmosphere of a bygone era.
Health-spa resort Schloss Fuschl
(see p297), for example, is a set
in a sumptuous former palace
near Salzburg.
Prices at such historic
establishments are often higher
than those demanded by other The cosy, candle-lit interior of the Hotel Weismayr in Bad Gastein (see p297)
well-known hotels. Information
about accommodation in months is cheaper. In the the five-star hotels. Other extras
converted palaces can be cities, it is also possible to to watch out for are charges for
obtained from local tourist negotiate discounted room off-road parking, especially in
offices, which have all the rates for weekend visits or the larger cities, unfavourable
relevant brochures, catalogues longer stays. exchange rates and high
and booking details, as well as costs for making phone calls.
on the Schlosshotels und For full-board accommodation
Herrenhäuser website. Hidden Extras in a pension, you will need to
When booking a room, check take the additional cost for
in advance if any additional lunch and dinner drinks into
Hotel Prices charges, such as account, and also allow for
The price of hotel Kurtaxe (health spa a small tip.
accommodation is tax) or for cleaning
dictated not only by on departure, Pensions and Gasthöfe
the category of the will be levied.
hotel, but also by Generally, prices Pensions are widespread
its location and the are inclusive of and popular in Austria. Less
local events at the taxes such as formal than a hotel, they are
time. Differences Mehrwertsteuer typically run by a family and
may be significant, (VAT), but usually provide modest
even within the same occasionally these accommodation, breakfast
category. Accommo- Sign of the Golden Eagle are separate. Breakfast and a pleasant ambience –
dation in Vienna, in Innsbruck is included in all but guests often meet the owners,
Salzburg and Graz is usually friendly and willing to
often expensive, and many help with travel plans. Most
hotels and pensions situated in rooms have an en-suite
prime locations are overpriced. bathroom, some have
It is possible to cut costs by telephone, TV and a balcony
staying outside the main town as well. In smaller towns and
centres; in Vienna, for example, villages, the owners often
one can expect to pay invite their guests to social
approximately a fifth less for a evenings with music, dancing
room in an establishment just or a barbecue.
outside the Ringstrasse, and less A Gasthof is a traditional
further afield. Staying in provincial inn with a restaurant on
towns tends to be somewhat the ground floor and rooms
cheaper, though these still cover to rent above. A wide range
a wide range of prices. of establishments are covered
Accommodation will be less under this category, from small,
expensive for visits outside inexpensive, family-run hotels
the main tourist season. For with modestly equipped
example, visiting a resort rooms, to exquisitely restored
specializing in winter A charming rustic pension in the country inns offering the most
sports during the summer mountainous region of Lech luxurious accommodation.

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