Pension Sommerauer

This place feels more like a very expensive hostel than a hotel. There’s no elevator or help with luggage, and the rooms lack the things I’d expect from a hotel: no kettle or minibar, and a TV about the size of a computer screen. The curtains are so sheer that you’ll be up at dawn. The balcony has no parasol, so expect to bake or boil in summer. The pool is tiny and full of children, and there’s nobody there to help with a chair or towel. Breakfast is expensive and basic. The owner or manager acts nice, but isn’t helpful.

Kris and the staff were really friendly and helpful, and the rooms were spacious and comfortable. The mountain views, including some snow-capped peaks, were truly bostin. The setting in Hallein was so striking it almost felt like we’d been abducted and dropped there!

Supermarkets are even closer than the train station, which is about a 10-minute walk away. It’s a handy place to stay for visiting Salzburg, and we’d come back next time. The rooms could be more comfortable, and the guesthouse could probably use a renovation. Breakfast is honest. I’m not sure whether they use local milk or industrial products, but with all the great local produce around, a slow-food sort of breakfast would be nice. I understand keeping prices competitive means making choices.

Room 5 is awesome. Very, very, very good.