Rating
"Springtime splendour" I’m not sure what some people expect from the restaurant of an Austrian schloss… limbo-dancing? A samba band? Surely what’s important is the food and the service, and the former was excellent and the latter charming and friendly, if slightly inexperienced in some of the younger cases. And dining out on the flower-laden terrace, with the Danube flowing below, and a crisp bottle of the local white on the table…hard to beat really. Our springtime trip to the lovely, small, cyclist-packed village of Durnstein was splendid and busy – a robust breakfast on the terrace in the amazingly mild weather, then a day’s hiking, boat-tripping or town-visiting, followed by a couple of well-earned weissbiers, a relaxing swim in the hotel’s tiny but welcoming indoor pool, then dinner either at the hotel or its sister establishment along the road and a stroll along the river before bedtime… an exceptional holiday.

Rating
"Great Time at the Schloss" We spent the last night of our September '05 vacation at Schloss Durnstein and had a great time. We booked last minute and got the last room they had available, Room 4, a "Deluxe Room" for 224 Euro per night, including breakfast. We were given great directions to the hotel that led us into an unusually spacious parking lot. The staff was very friendly and our room was impressive. We had a window right on the Danube with our own private balcony. We ate one of the best dinners we ever had in the hotel dining room, but a word of caution, your fellow guests are STIFF, everyone was wearing a suit and tie and looking most uptight. My wife and I were traveling light and didn't have our ritzy clothes, so we were extremely underdressed. You could hear a pin drop in the dining room and we were pretty stressed out until the Reisling kicked in (from the Hotel's own vineyard and delicious). That said, the food was spectacular and we'd eat there again, but maybe dress a little better. Right at the front desk, we were able to rent 2 very nice bicycles for a ride on the great trails around the Wachau Valley and that was a highlight of our trip. Also fun is a steep walk up the hill behind the hotel brings you to the ruins of a castle dating from 1150. There was a mini bar with wine, beer and snacks in the room, but I'd recommend bringing a bottle of your own to enjoy on the balcony, it's a perfect setting. We had a great time and wouldn't hesitate to go back if travels bring us back to the area.

Rating
"What a suite!" We treated ourselves to a night in the Tower Suite on a recent family vacation in Austria, and what a treat it was! The room was huge and stunning, with fantastic views of the river, and amazing and romantic master bedroom (reached be climbing a long circular staircase), a main level that includes a living area (with sofa bed), and entry hall, and 2 bathrooms (one with tub, one with shower), and a lower level with a private children's bedroom). The remainder of the hotel is equally stunning, with both indoor and outdoor pool, and many beautiful sitting areas. Our relaxing dinner in the wonderful terrace restaurant overlooking the Danube may have been the highlight of our entire Austria vacation, and Durnstein itself is a gem of a town.

Rating
Past its best, but beautiful position We stayed here for 4 nights, and whilst we enjoyed some aspects, I wouldn't go back. On the positive side, the position right on the Danube with rooms and dining terrace overlooking the river were beautiful. It was lovely to be able to throw open huge shuttered windows & look across the river to wooded hills. But the hotel is past its best. The main sitting area and the bar area are in serious need of an overhaul. It looks opulent at first, but soon looks tired & actually some of it a little tacky....the bar area probably looked good in the '70s. The outside swimming pool area is a good area, but doesn't overlook the river. The dining room (pink everywhere) is oppressive, but the food is good. We ate there once & enjoyed the food, but the atmosphere was cold & dead, despite old world service from the maitre d'. We didn't choose to eat there again purely because of the atmosphere. It's definitely the better option to eat on the terrace, but there aren't any comfortable chairs on the terrace (which overlooks the river), so if you just want to read & relax & enjoy the view, you can't make use of the riverside terrace comfortably, which is a waste. Our room was a very good size, and well equipped, but couldn't make up for the lacking elsewhere in the hotel. Durnstein itself is a lovely town & is well positioned for Melk Abbey etc. But Hotel Schloss Durnstein is overrated.

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