By Amy Van
Credit: Tourismus Salzburg GmbH
Forget about musty old castles and intimidating palaces. Here are four luxurious hotels in Europe that are ideal for modern travellers looking for something different. Some of these European castles and palaces offer exquisite dining experiences and others feature sustainability initiatives and wellness programmes to boost your overall wellbeing.
4. Hotel Schloss Leopoldskron, Salzburg, Austria
Credit: Tourismus Salzburg GmbH
Built in 1736, Schloss Leopoldskron, about 2 km from Salzburg’s Old Town, is framed by manicured gardens and majestic views of the mountains and the 11th century Hohensalzburg fortress in a distance.
Prince Archbishop of Salzburg, Leopold Anton Freiherr von Firmian Leopold, deeded the Schloss (palace) over to his nephew, Count Laktanz Firmian, who happened to be one of the first sponsors of Leopold Mozart and his son, Wolfgang Amadeus. Scenes from The Sound of Music movie were filmed on site, and the Salzburg Festival was founded there.
This hotel’s rooms are located in an annex of the Leopoldskron Palace which is privately owned and not accessible to the public. Guests can however enjoy free access to the palace, the Max Reinhardt Library, and the chapel. The property is divided in two buildings: the Meierhof (55 rooms) and the Palace (12 suites) and two town houses. Among the many modern amenities are free wifi, mini bar, Dyson Supersonic hairdyer and Dyson fans.
Breakfast buffet is served in the Palace’s grand breakfast room. If the weather is pleasant, guests can have their breakfast on the balcony. Drinks and cakes are available at Meierhof Café which boasts a terrace with views of the garden and small lake. You can easily stroll to the lake to soak in the surroundings. There are jogging and cycling trails too, and bikes are available for guests to use. Besides a fitness centre, there’s free access to a public pool and miniature golf course next to the hotel complex.
Schloss Leopoldskron also hosts the Salzburg Global Seminar, an international non-profit organisation whose mission is to inspire current and future leaders to shape a better world.
Find out more: Schloss Leopoldskron
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