Hotel Schloss Durnstein

Being in a real castle made the stay feel special. The place looks great and feels luxurious, with amazing views of the river, nearby hills, and sunset. We usually choose places up to 4 stars, and the 5-star touches here made our stay more enjoyable. The rooms have antiques and gold-coloured fixtures. Things are in good condition but a little worn, which gives the place a genuinely old feel while still seeming well maintained. The staff were lovely, chatted politely, and showed interest in our kids, which made them feel a bit special. They took care of our cycles and luggage. I think the owner was at reception when we left, and she was very nice too. We got a voucher for a glass of local wine or juice at a nearby place. The minibar was free and had a decent amount of snacks, mineral water, and local freshly pressed juices, though no alcohol. There’s also a fridge of complimentary soft drinks in the spa. The outdoor pool was very nice, as was the underground spa. It isn’t very big and doesn’t have 8 different types of sauna like some modern places. Our kids had shower gel with little prince on the tube, and bathrobes in the right sizes and colours were waiting for us. We hadn’t expected or needed those touches, but they made the stay more relaxing and enjoyable. The hotel restaurant was very nice, the food was good, and the staff’s attention added to the experience.

I’ve been here many times and the staff’s warm hospitality always impresses me. So do the restaurant’s exceptional dishes. Every detail of this hotel has charm and elegance, right along the serene banks of the iconic blue Danube River.

The location is fantastic, and the hotel really does feel like being in a castle. The rooms are elegant but very tired, and the spa facilities feel like they’re from the 80s. The restaurant and service were really lacking. We waited 90 minutes for pasta that was so salty my children and I all had to send it back. I’d love to leave a positive review because the place and staff are lovely, but after a very expensive two-night stay, I’m mostly disappointed.

After the reception we just had, I wouldn't spend money here. The front desk was snobby and very rude, and basically told us there was no reason to visit unless we had a room.