Spectacular Salzburg

I have just returned from a 3 day trip to Salzburg as a treat for my mother's 60th Birthday and had booked a twin room at the Altstadt Hotel. I loved it - it was amazing. I felt like Id hit the jackpot. Our room was upgraded and the room we were given had 3 huge windows with three different views, a beautiful marble bathroom with two sinks, robes and slippers as well as all the usual bits and bobs (including mozart chocolates on your pillow each day). Decorated in an old style elegance with antiques, mirrors and simple furnishings I thought this was understated opulance at its best. Breakfast was everything you could have wanted and more (the bread in Salzburg is like nothing I have ever tasted) and the tea came in little silver pots and your eggs each morning were cooked fresh to your requirement. Staff couldnt have been more friendly or helpful and when it comes to stars I often think they mean absolutely nothing if the hotel doesnt work for you but this hotel gets top marks from me because it was so relaxed and had a warm feel to it. As to Salzburg -amazing. If you do go make sure you take the time to get the lift (I cant even begin to spell the name of it) up to the museum of modern art and go to the restaurant even if just for a cup of coffee - the view will blow your mind away! And if you do stay at this hotel then just round the corner in Mozart Square is a resaturant called K and K - the food was fantastic, the service impecable and the price was unbeleivable! The other beneift of this hotel which is right on the river is that its right in the old town but you are also close to the bridge which takes you into the "new".

Fabulous Hotel at an Incredible Rate

Just stayed at the Radisson SAS Alstadt in Late June 2004. What a wonderful deal. We had 4 rooms; all of them were huge - the size of suites at hotels in the US. I got an incredible Radisson internet rate of $89 Euros per night per room! Marble bathrooms - real bathtubs and showers - each room had a large sitting area and one even had a separate sitting room! Only problem is that the map on the Radisson website is incorrect and we spent 30 minutes trying to find the property based on the website map! Great location; however - easy to drive to (located in old town but the front of the hotel is right on the river) - the back of the hotel opens up into the walled city of Old Town. Salzburg is magic - we will definitely visit again and will stay at the Radisson. Breakfast was included in room rate and was really good- full European breakfast and even cooked eggs to order. The Hotel was just perfect.

Had a good time, but...........

We just returned from beautiful Salzburg. We stayed at the Radisson which claims to be a 5 star hotel on many websites. While it definitely is above average, I would put it at 3 1/2 - 4 stars. The rooms and bathroom are very large and well stocked, but the furniture has been well-worn, but like all of Austria, very clean. The staff was helpful and friendly, and the hotel offers a self-guided audio tour of the old city that was very good. Be warned that while the location lets you out on the pedestrian zone, the hotel sits on top of many bars that are very popular with the 18-20 year olds on the weekend. The room was a little warm and since it did not have any air conditioning we opened the windows, but never slept well because of all the noise into the wee hours of the night.

Picturesque Salzburg

Have just come back from a lovely 2 night break to Salzburg. The city is absolutely gorgeous, one of the most picturesque in Europe. It is relatively small and easy to get around on foot. It is beautifully situated amongst several hills and the views of the town and the Alps from the hilltops are fantastic. The hotel Alstadt is centrally located right in the heart of the old town, it is split across several beautifully renovated old buildings. The only downside is that it is close to the louder bars and there is some noise late on Friday and Saturday nights.

Perfect......

Having read a couple of negative reviews of this hotel, I was expecting the worst but instead we were pleasantly surprised to be in a hotel that was just about as perfect as it could be!

The location IS fantastic.

Our room , although we had requested an early check-in, was not ready due to the fact that our flight was even earlier than anticipated, but this was not a problem as we were given a superior room (or was it?) It was HUGE and beautifully decorated....

As many people have stated, the breakfasts are to die for. Everything that you could hope for was there, cooked items were freshly available and the champagne really is there to drink, on its own, or to make great Bucks Fizz with the freshly squeezed juice

We came back from an interesting, long , tiring day to find that someone had been in the room to do the 'turn down service' The duvets were plumped up, little cotton mats were placed either side of the bed to stop your tiny toes from getting cold on the parquet floor and the ubiquitous Mozart chocolates put on your pillow.

How cool is all that?

The staff were lovely.Discreet but attentive and Salzburg itself deserves credit.

Would I stay here again.Oh absolutely.Tomorrow-please...............

Just a mention to say that we did get this hotel on a Radisson 'Summer Magic' offer price, directly from their web site. This was way cheaper than any other agency prices and a bargain to boot!!

Overrated

Visit: April 2004

We'd heard so many positive things about this hotel, but were disappointed when we arrived. The staff was cold and impersonal.

The location is perfection - along the river, within walking distance of amazing shops and historic sites. However, the room quality was subpar. The decorating was tacky and worn. The walls were bear and dingy. That said, the marble bathrooms were well-stocked and the windows open to amazing views.

In contrast, the breakfasts were outstanding. I can't imagine anything beyond what was offered - including champagne and custom-prepared items that aren't set out on the buffet.

If we return to Salzburg, we will stay elsewhere. This hotel simply didn't live up to the hype.

The breakfasts were OUTSTANDING!!!

To begin with, upon check-in, my reservation had been cancelled. I originally made 5 different reservations for 5 consecutive nights at the Radisson SAS Hotel Altstadt. I personally cancelled the first night along with the last two nights and received confirmations online for the three cancelled nights. But the second and third nights, which I didn't cancel, had been cancelled mysteriously upon check-in! Luckily, I had my printed confirmation receipts and I was granted a room. But the question that begs for an answer is what is wrong with your online corporate reservation system???

Secondly, on a much better note, the morning breakfasts were simply *outstanding* I can't think of a thing they didn't have on the buffet.

The staff was warm and cordial!

Thirdly, there was a member of the hotel staff who distinguished herself above everyone else... her name was Silvia Scherfl. First of all, she spoke English which was a huge plus. I made several requests (probably too many) but she responded to everyone of them... with a smile! I had problems with the hotel's PC while trying to connect to the internet... she made it right! I asked for local information and directions... she made it right! We needed someone to watch over our luggage after checkout... she made it right! I would guess that the Hotel Alstadt management knows how accomodating and helpful Silvia is/was... if they don't, then they should know it now! Thank YOU Silvia for being who you are!

Reasonable Alternative to Goldener Hirsch?

We just returned from a trip to Austria during the blisteringly hot June of 2003. If you think Austria is a cool place, think again and make sure that your hotel is able to compensate for the temperatures.

We selected the Raddison Altstadt as a less expesive alternative to the hotel in which we stayed during our previous visit, the Goldener Hirsch. The Altstadt has the same desirable location in Salzburg in the Old City and is significantly cheaper than the Goldener but if you have the money, the Goldener is the only choice. The Altstadt advertises air conditioning but such consists of mobile units in the rooms vented to the outside through open windows. The units are barely up to the task during the heat but just barely and the rest of the hotel seems to have either no or inadequate air conditioning. Our room was large by European standards but furnished in early Holiday Inn style. Beware that there are no clocks in the rooms and they missed our 4 am wake up call. Other than missing the call, however, the staff is excellent and very helpful. However, when compared to the Goldener Hirsch, which has central air, the Altstadt falls short in all catagories from staff to room and furnishings. There really is no comparision. By the way, the Goldener Hirsch has two excellent restaurants and if you are in that part of town and looking for a good and relatively inexpensive meal you can try the Herzl which serves regional specialties.

Definitely Returning!

The Altstadt was absolutely perfect! Location, Quality and Service! The Staff is genuinely attentive, the rooms are gorgeous and the breakfast buffet itself makes you want to extend your stay! I was very lucky to find an awesome single standard room rate on the web, but when I arrived I was upgraded to a Double Deluxe Room! Neddless to say, its tops on my list for a return stay!

Best of All Traveled

After having stayed in numerous hotels in England, France, Germany and Austria, this hotel stays in my mind! The ability to walk out of the hotel right onto downtown streets, having the window open and hearing the music from the plaza are just starts. If you want old flare, no taxi rides into town and the native experience; this one is for you!