Hotel: Rosewood Schloss Fuschl / Stay Period: 3 nights (Sept 2024) / Program: Rosewood Elite
Rosewood Schloss Fuschl opened its doors in summer 2024 and created a buzz amongst ultra-luxury hotel aficionados. Located on the banks of the beautiful Lake Fuschl, a four-kilometre shimmering lake not far from Salzburg, this centuries-old retreat was historically frequented by royalty as a countryside destination.
The castle dates back to the 15th century and is a jewel of history and modern comfort. We visited the property in September 2024 and we weren’t disappoint. Yes, the overall service was a problem at some occasions (which is evident from all online reviews). We shared this feedback with the Management as well. Other than that, we had a pleasant stay and are planning to return back again this year!
Rosewood Elite Benefits
Before we review the property, a quick note that the hotel can be booked under our exclusive Rosewood Elite programme. Booking under the rate, you can receive the following benefits:
- Guaranteed upgrade at the time of booking, subject to availability
- Daily Complimentary breakfast for two
- $100 equivalent food & beverage credit
- Early check-in and late check-out, subject to availability
- Welcome note and welcome amenity
Location: Rosewood Schloss Fuschl
This historic property is located about 20km to the east of Salzburg on the banks of Lake Fuschl. It is a 30min drive from Salzburg Airport or a slightly shorter travel time from Salzburg train station. The best way to get there is by renting a car or getting a cab that can be arranged with the hotel concierge.
Salzburg is a three-hour drive from Vienna or a two-hour train journey. This means you can turn this into a Vienna-Salzburg combined trip across five to six nights, shared between Rosewood Vienna and Rosewood Schloss Fuschl.
Hotel Entrance and Check-in: Rosewood Schloss Fushcl
We landed in Salzburg and rented a car from Avis. The drive is quite easy and actually quite scenic. You may want to stop a few times on the way to take in the beauty of Austria, especially on a beautiful summer day.
At check-in we were greeted by the friendly receptionist. The lobby area is quite stunning and clearly a lot of money has been spent on the decor and the overall aesthetics. You get a feeling of an ultra-luxe country chateau which is what they were going for I guess.
Lots of beautiful nooks in the lobby area to sit and relax. A great photo opportunity as well!
At check-in, we had the option to keep our upgrade to a Junior Suite (which was confirmed upon booking as we booked under Rosewood Elite) and a Deluxe Junior suite (additional upgrade available on complimentary basis).
We checked out both rooms and chose the Junior Suite as it was located on the ground floor with a door leading to a common garden area with stunning views of the lake. The Deluxe rooms on the other hand were located in the attic so felt a bit darker with lower ceilings.
Do note that the hotel charges a fees of €30 per night to park your car for the stay. This in my opinion is a bit steep as car is possibly the most convenient way (other than getting a cab) to get there.
Junior Suite: Rosewood Schloss Fuschl
Room
The Junior Suite is about 48sqm room with an extended living space that has a comfortable sofa and centre table. The room has a hard wood flooring with a long passageway leading to the bedroom. The attention to detail with the picture frames and lighting was really done well. At the other end, the room led to a common garden at the back where you can enjoy stunning views of the lake and also sip your morning coffee outside!
There was plenty of space to relax. I would definitely recommend this suite for a couple or a couple with a toddler. The natural light from the lake really brightens the whole room.
Our welcome amenity was awaiting us upon check-in. Prior to check-in I did not get a chance to share with the hotel my stay and welcome amenity preferences (which we always do prior to client stay). Whilst the cake was nice, I thought it was a poor effort at a welcome amenity at a luxe hotel.
Across the eating area was this beautiful cupboard with a coffee station and minibar. The cupboard had a beautiful hand-painted scenery of Lake Fuschl which elevated the look and gave it a real ‘sense of place’. All non-alcoholic items and snacks at the minibar are complimentary. The minibar was well stocked and had a few cocktail mixers as well.
Overall, I thought the suite was quite well appointed and extremely spacious.
Bathroom
The bathroom had a double vanity, shower area and a bathtub. I am a fan of double vanity and marble finishes and this was just perfect!
Turndown Service
The hotel provides daily turndown service. Aside from having your slippers by the bedside, they also had a new bedtime story each day for us to read. The stories dated back into the history of the lake and surrounding areas that was fun to read. This was pretty cool!! However attention to detail was lacking. For instance, the chargers and wires were not neatly arranged. The housekeeping staff also did not realise we stashed away the sparkling water bottles and only had still water, and yet they kept providing sparkling water every evening.
Available Room Types: Rosewood Schloss Fuschl
The property has a total of 98 rooms and suites. There are four room categories each with either partial lake view or full lake view. All rooms and suites feature stylishly appointed signature Rosewood interiors while also preserving the charm of the Salzkammergut region. For the full experience, I recommend the junior suites and higher.
Rooms
- Deluxe Room – This is the base category. The 31sqm spacious rooms feature elegant furnishings and offer stunning views of either the lake or the surrounding Alps. These rooms are ideal for couples or individuals looking for a relaxing stay with the Austrian Alps views
- Premier Lakeside Room – These 33sqm rooms offers guests a serene and peaceful retreat with beautiful views of the lake. Slightly bigger than Deluxe Room, these rooms are ideal for Couples or individuals looking for an intimate stay with beautiful lake views
- Grand Premier Lakeview Room – The room similar size to the Premier Lakeside Room but offers enhanced lake views. This room features a private balcony or terrace where you can enjoy panoramic vistas of Lake Fuschl and the Alps in the distance. This is ideal for guests looking for an elevated experience and a bit of extra luxury
- Heritage Room – The 40sqm room is a nod to the rich history of the Schloss Fuschl estate, offering a more traditional ambiance, maintaining modern comforts. These rooms are located in the older part of the estate, preserving the heritage with architectural details such as antique-style furnishings. This is ideal for guests who want to experience a room that blends old-world charm of a historic castle with modern luxury
Suites
- Junior Suite/Deluxe Junior Suite – These 48sqm suites offer more space with an open-plan living area. Some Junior Suites/Deluxe Junior Suites also have a private terrace or balcony, perfect for enjoying the natural beauty of the lake or the Alps. Suites are ideal for guests looking for a bit more space and added comfort for longer stays and seeking an upgrade the rooms
- Deluxe Lakeside View Suite/Premier Lake View Suite – These 52-59sqm suites feature panoramic views of Lake Fuschl. The suites are beautifully appointed with a separate living area and marble bath. Some even have a balcony/terrace. These rooms are ideal for guests who want to wake up to breathtaking lake views and have a bit more space and luxury during their stay
Chalet/Villas
- Kaiser Franz Joseph House – This 120sqm+ villa is designed as an opulent, private residence, offering guests a high degree of privacy and intimacy while staying at Schloss Fuschl. This makes it an ideal choice for families, small groups, or those seeking a secluded, luxurious experience
- One/Two/Three Bedroom Chalet – These 113-245sqm chalets are perfect for guests seeking a more independent and home-like experience while still enjoying all the exclusive services and amenities of Rosewood. The chalets provide a wonderful balance of alpine charm and modern luxury, making them ideal for families, small groups, or those seeking extra space and privacy located just at the doorstep of the lake
Dining at Schloss restaurant
Breakfast
Breakfast is served at the Schloss Restaurant. The menu is mainly a la carte with a small selection of breads and pastries available in the buffet. There is both indoor and outdoor seating. On the first day, we sat outdoors as the weather was good. Bees took over the outside area, so we eventually decided to move indoors!
The menu offers limited breakfast options, mainly focused on eggs. So if you’re vegetarian/vegan, you’d have to stick with scrambled tofu and a sweet options! There was plenty of choice for a 2-3 night stay. If you stay longer, you’d likely get bored of the breakfast options quite quickly.
Dinner
We also visited the Schloss Restaurant for dinner where they served their all day dining menu primarily focusing on authentic Salzkammergut cuisine. As it was a Saturday night, the restaurant was quite busy. The seafood is quite popular (as you would expect it being so close to the lake!). However, for us vegetarians, we played it safe and stuck to pasta! Despite being a relatively simple order, our food took a while to come! It was tasty though.
Drinks at Schloss Bar
On our first night, we decided to check out the Schloss Bar, which had a cozy and intimate vibe. The atmosphere was quiet and dimly lit, perfect for a relaxed evening. Adjacent to the bar is a historic Whiskey Room, an elegant space offering a curated selection of rare whiskies and spirits.
Since it wasn’t busy, we had the luxury of choosing the perfect spot to settle in. The bartender was knowledgeable and recommended a few of their personal favorites, which turned out to be excellent choices.
Swim in Lake Fuschl
One of the highlights of our stay was definitely taking a swim in the crystal-clear waters of Lake Fuschl. Although the water was chilly, it was an incredibly refreshing and fun experience! The hotel offers complimentary kayaks and floaters, allowing us to leisurely paddle across the lake and take in the breathtaking views.
Food and drinks were readily available, and there were comfortable lounge chairs set up to relax and enjoy the tranquil surroundings. It felt so peaceful and serene — a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. It’s the kind of place where time slows down, and you can truly recharge your soul. I would go back for this again!
Wellness at Asaya Spa
Rosewood Hotel has brought its trademarked Asaya Spa brand to Schloss Fuschl. With calming aesthetics combined with the serenity and views of Lake Fuschl, this is your ideal destination for Restorative Wellness. They have an extensive spa menu and can also curate two-day or three-day spa retreats.
In addition to the spa menu, they also have a host of yoga and meditation classes that are complimentary. This is where I tried sound bath for the first time and absolutely loved it!
During the two-year renovation period, the hotel has also developed a new infinity outdoor pool that overlooks the Lake. It was cold, we we decided to take a plunge in the outdoor pool. Though it wasn’t heated, the views definitely made the cold plunge worth it!
The vibe here was pretty great and I would definitely return to just experience more of the spa and lay by the pool reading my book for hours on end.
Gym: Rosewood Schloss Fuschl
Located adjacent to the spa, the Gym is small but has everything you would need for your stay. It has a dedicated weights area, standard weights and cardio machines including a Peleton if you fancy a Peloton class!
Daily Activities
They have a list of daily activities listed below. We definitely recommend getting in touch with the Concierge (or us if you book through us to arrange this for you!) as these get booked up in advance. We had the chance to experience their nature walk and boat ride. Both of these were a great experience! The concierge is also happy to accommodate any special requests (like we did with the food!) as part of these excursions.
Sundown Boat Ride at Rosewood Schloss Fuschl
Sundown Boat Ride takes place on a luxurious boat that’s exclusively for guests on Saturdays. The lake only allows low-powered motor boats and electric boats, which is a great initiative for conservation and environmental protection. These boats offer sheltered seating with a table laid out with local delicacies and drinks. On a good weather day, the panoramic views of Lake Fuschl surrounded by the majestic Alps are stunning! We had a great time meeting some of the other hotel guests as well on this trip!
Honestly, we were pleasantly surprised by how well planned this activity was. Our skipper was also the Head Concierge and had plenty of fun stories to tell us about the nearby towns and the history of the hotel Of course it helped that they had arranged a great spread and a variety of drinks. Top notch stuff for sure and five star t the concierge team for organising this complimentary activity.
Alpine adventures at Rosewood Schloss Fuschl
The mountains and forests surrounding the property offer a perfect opportunity to hike amidst nature. The hotel has curated a number of nature experiences with hikes, walks and other activities. As part of the Sunday scheduled activity, we did a nature hike with a herbalist into the Austrian Alps. It was great meet some more hotel guests, learn about the herbs growing deep into the forest and try out local cheese! This was a really well organised activity and kudos once again to the guest experience team for this immersive experience.
Daily Scheduled Activities
The hotel has a range of outdoor activities planned throughout the week for you to soak in nature, relax and stay active. These activities are subject to change. Some of the activities offered during the summer are:
- Mindful nature walk, from the hotel doorstep to the forest beyond and learn about the region’s abundant plant life, birds, and agriculture
- Exclusive after-hour access to the home and birthplace of composer W.A. Mozart – born here in 1756. This private tour is only for guests that will end with a piano concert on a historical instrument out of the composer’s time
- Half-day hike in the mountains providing lovely views over Lake Fuschl and return on a private hotel boat
- Sundown Boat ride on Lake Fuschl, where to unwind and enjoy the breathtaking sunset views over the tranquil waters
- Hike up a local mountain hut and learn about the secrets of blossoms and leaves along the way followed by a traditional culinary alpine experience
We definitely recommend packing your swimming costumes as well as your active/hiking gear prior to arrival!!
Who is this for?
- If you are on a longer trip to Austria and want to enjoy a quiet and relaxing time
- Definitely for couples/families or groups who want to a secluded/intimate getaway
- If you enjoy nature and mountain views and calm and peaceful surroundings!
- People looking for a wellness getaway and enjoy the amazing Asaya spa
Who is this not for?
- People looking for a more city-like experience and want to be close to Salzburg town
- Who want to have a more party-like vacation. This is not for you!
Overall Thoughts
Rosewood Schloss Fuschl’s stunning location and wellness-focussed exquisite design makes it an ideal choice for those seeking a sophisticated and tranquil retreat in the heart of Austria. Whether exploring the natural beauty of the region, enjoying a gourmet meal, or simply relaxing by the lake, guests are sure to have an unforgettable stay!
If you were thinking of going to Italy or have already been there several times….maybe this is the perfect alternative we’ve been all waiting for?
We recommend a minimum three night stay if you want to enjoy everything that the hotel has to offer. Longer stays will provide guests more opportunities for hiking, nature walks and additional time to nip into Salzburg town which is a tourist attraction in its own right.
Looking to Book Rosewood Schloss Fuschl?
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