Since Austria is one of the first countries to release the travel ban and opening hotels again on 29 May 2020, we start with our first summer road trip through the home country. Of course, we will soon follow with a tour of Germany, Switzerland, France and Italy.

Basically, this roundtrip is designed as a circle, allowing you to start and end at every point of the itinerary, based on where you are based. Austria has got amazing scenery, on top of that it has got stunning mountains with windy roads, crystal blue lakes for the best swimming as well as many cultural places such as Salzburg just to name the most famous example. As lovers of the Relais & Chateaux brand, we tried to include a good selection of member hotels into this Luxury Road Trip Edition. Since we are located in Tyrol, we start with the tour in one of our reader’s favourite hotels:

1

Innovation and Tradition - no second resort in Tyrol combines the two in such a perfect way.

Why we love it:

Totally amazing wellness hotel with a huge pool area and a vast sauna offering. Generally, the Stanglwirt is famous for its lavish parties around the ski race in Kitzbühel, however today we miss it a little more for the unique vistas and their oh-so-good Austrian dishes at the hundred-years old restaurant building. Half board is among the finest in the country and on cold summer nights, light up the fireplace in your suite. Plus they renovated some rooms recently, we can’t wait to see the results. Ms Hauser, when can we check-in again? www.stanglwirt.com

Probably reopening on 14 June

2

A laid-back, yet luxurious property that matches the Relais&Chateaux profile and convinces with new Austrian elegance.

Why we love it:

Rarely seen a traditional hotel reinventing itself that perfectly. Chic spa and more amazing outdoor pool, top-notch gastronomy (their a la carte restaurant is just wow) and the new suites make you feel like staying in the Winter Palace of the Royal family of Netherlands who vacay here regularly. www.postlech.com

Reopening 19 June

3

Located in the Zillertal, this massive spa resort just announced that they are actually reopening on 18 June.

Why we love it:

Their spa area is magnificent and we could spend the sunset lounging at the pool woulnd’t there be happy hour with the hotel’s own sparkling rose. Service is very down-to-earth and it feels like a hotel that matches Austria perfectly. The rooms and suites are spacious and thanks to various renovations, there is a style for everyone’s taste. Almost no secret anymore: the son of the founders - funny guy and now a celebrated DJ - manages the hotel today with his sister, a true one-of-a-kind family business. www.stock.at

Reopening on 18 June

4

Cozy alpine retreat that has been redone in a stylish way by no one else than Michele Bonan.

Why we love it:

All rooms have a very luxurious vibe, come with finest materials and work perfectly for this area of Austria. The ground floor feels like a private chalet and has lots of corners to linger and read a book. Dinner is served in the posh dining room and a small spa hut comes up for the afternoon boredom. www.hotelwachtelhof.at

No opening date released yet

5

All-time classic on Lake Wörth, a vacation favourite of the Viennese and the warmest lake in Austria.

Why we love it:

From the floating pool in the lake to the old-school vibes, Schloss Seefels has always been a hotel I wanted to check out but never had the chance to. While rooms are nice but distinctive, food is a great reason to stay here as the views are! www.seefels.at

No opening date released yet

6

It’s all about the wine in this design hotel in the so-called Austrian Tuscany, also known as Southern Styria.

Why we love it:

The rooms are airy and bright, there is a chic pool with good poolside vibes and you have the wine production at your fingertips. Even the best wine tastings won’t make you get rid of your driving license as you can literally walk home from most wineries down there. www.loisium.com

Reopening on 29 May

7

Not everyone’s cup of tea but this is a one-of-a-kind restaurant/hotel concept in the middle of a natural reserve.

Why we love it:

Since the Austrian region of Burgenland is not famous for its luxury hospitality, we always stop at Taubenkobel since it is a member of Relais & Chateaux, the food is always top-notch and the rooms are among the most luxurious in this quiet corner of Austria. www.taubenkobel.com

Their market is opened already, the hotel will follow soon

8

Vienna has got plenty of luxury hotels but most of them lack character and just try hard to be world-class. This is the one that succeeds.

Why we love it:

Some might think that the hotel has got too much patina but for us, it’s the glamour that makes a Viennese grand hotel really grand. Service is without doubts seamless, the bathrooms post-renovation just tailored to my bathroom needs and the redesigning couldn’t have been done in a better way. The only downside: the grand dame, Ms Elisabeth Gürtler stepped back and now runs a luxury hotel in Tyrol. www.sacher.com

Reopening 29 May

9

The glamour of the Austrian heritage with a bliss of French Relais & Chateaux gloss.

Why we love it:

Most rooms overlook the river Danube - which is one of the views I can never get enough. Make sure to get a suite in the old palace since they are unique in all ways. Not everything is in line with the five-star-rating however the location, the view and mostly the vibes come up for it. www.schloss.at

Reopening 29 May

10

On the set of the famous Sissi movies picturing Austrian Queen Elisabeth which were filmed here at this magical place.

Why we love it:

A long time favourite of mine and a wonderfully located luxury hotel. Being part of the Marriott chain makes it competitive on an international luxury level and I have to say that the service works properly and the hardware is still in good condition. Anyways the view comes up for any downside there may be. Unfortunately, the post-corona rates are higher than their usual ones making it less attractive for my private vacation this summer. www.marriott.com

No opening date released yet

This is the first one out of a selection of fine road trips through Austria. While there will be road trips through Germany, Switzerland and other countries as well, we also have something else coming up for Austria. Just to drop the surprise a bit: there will be a guide to the most wonderful wineries in Austria, the most picturesque castles where you can actually stay in as well as a guide to the finest restaurants in the alpine country. Enjoy and stay safe!