Falkensteiner Schlosshotel, Velden on Lake Wörthersee
The Falkensteiner Schlosshotel Velden on Lake Wörthersee is one of the most famous and historically significant hotels in Austria. It offers an exclusive combination of historical flair (the famous “yellow castle”) and modern luxury.
Here are the key details and reasons why booking here is worthwhile:
1. Legendary Architecture & History
The castle is the landmark of Velden and is known far beyond the borders of Carinthia/Austria thanks to the TV series “A Castle on Lake Wörthersee” (“Ein Schloss am Wörthersee“). Guests who stay here enjoy a piece of Austrian history in a stately setting.
2. Wellness at the Highest Level (Acquapura SPA)
The hotel boasts a 3,600 m² spa area. Highlights include:
A spacious indoor and outdoor pool.
Various saunas, steam rooms, and exclusive relaxation areas.
Special treatments, often based on regional products.
3. Exclusive Location & Beach Club
Located directly on the lake, the hotel offers a private beach club with direct lake access and an outdoor pool right on the water. This is a great advantage, especially in summer, allowing guests to enjoy the lively atmosphere of Velden while also experiencing the tranquility of the lake.
4. Top-Class Dining
The hotel’s restaurants, such as the award-winning Seespitz, offer sophisticated cuisine. The terrace provides one of the most beautiful views of Velden Bay – ideal for gourmets.
5. Cultural Surroundings & Events
Velden is a hub for social events. Thanks to its proximity to Casino Velden and events like the “Starnacht am Wörthersee” (Starry Night on Lake Wörthersee), the hotel is an ideal base for guests who appreciate culture and sophisticated entertainment.
Why this hotel?
It’s the perfect choice for a getaway where first-class service, a historic setting, and modern wellness amenities take center stage. Whether for a long weekend or an extended summer vacation, the castle hotel offers an atmosphere unlike any other on Lake Wörthersee.
Rating: 9
Address:
Falkensteiner Schlosshotel Velden – The Leading Hotels of the World
Schlosspark 1
9220 Velden am Wörthersee
The Hotel Schloss Seefels in Techelsberg am Wörthersee (directly near Pörtschach) is an exclusive 5-star luxury hotel, known for its exceptional location directly on the north shore of the lake and its architectural elegance. It is a member of the “Small Luxury Hotels of the World” (SLH) and was recently awarded two Michelin Keys.
Here are the key details about this special establishment:
1. The Heated Lake Bath (Unique Worldwide)
Probably the most famous feature of the hotel is the heated lake bath. This is a swimming pool directly in Lake Wörthersee, which is heated year-round to a pleasant 28°C. This allows guests to swim in the lake water under the open sky even in the dead of winter, surrounded by the wintry scenery.
2. Architecture & Design
The castle was originally built as a villa in 1860. In recent years, it has been extensively renovated and now impresses with a colorful, luxurious interior (Porn of Colors1), which combines historical substance with modern design and high-quality artworks. Each of the approximately 68 rooms and suites is individually designed.
3. Top-Tier Culinary Offerings
The hotel offers three first-class gastronomic locations:
La Terrasse: An exquisite gourmet restaurant (awarded with “Toques”), offering creative cuisine at the highest level.
Porto Bello: A restaurant located directly on the lake with a focus on fish dishes, pasta, and a relaxed, Mediterranean atmosphere.
Pink Birkin Salon: A stylish location for the daily castle breakfast and light snacks in a purple-pink ambiance.
4. Wellness & Spa
The Seefels Spa covers over 1,100 m² and offers:
Panoramic saunas with views of the lake.
Steam baths, infrared cabins, and relaxation areas.
A modern fitness center and various beauty and massage treatments.
5. Location & Activities
The hotel is located in the municipality of Techelsberg (Töschling), only about 2 km from Pörtschach. It offers:
A 30,000 m² private castle park.
Hotel-owned motorboats for excursions.
Access to tennis courts and golf courses in the immediate vicinity.
Water sports opportunities such as water skiing or kayaking in summer.
Hotel Schloss Seefels is the ideal choice for travelers seeking absolute peace, a very personal ambiance, and one of the most spectacular pool areas in Austria. It is significantly more intimate than the Schlosshotel Velden and impresses with its boutique character.
Rating: 10
Address: Hotel Schloss Seefels
Töschling 1
9210 Techelsberg
1 The term “Porn of Colors” (sometimes also referred to as “Interior Porn” or “Design Porn”) is often used to describe the extremely bold, colorful, and almost intoxicating interior design of Schloss Seefels following its renovation.
Instead of relying on the classic, often somewhat reserved “beige-gold-white” of many luxury hotels, the Seefels is a true explosion of colors and patterns.
What characterizes this style?
Radical Color Choice: Each room and every public area follows its own intense color concept. Vibrant turquoise meets bright pink, combined with deep emerald green or sunny yellow.
High-quality Fabrics & Textures: Luxurious materials such as velvet and silk are used, which make the colors shine even more intensely.
Wallpapers & Patterns: You will find floral prints, geometric shapes, and artistic wall designs that act almost like a museum for modern design.
Contrast to the Lake: The idea behind it is to create a conscious counterpoint to the calm, blue-green water of Lake Wörthersee. Looking out at the lake from the colorfully powerful rooms creates a very special visual dynamic.
Who is behind it?
This design concept was implemented on behalf of the owner family (Haselsteiner) to set the hotel apart from the mass of classic castle hotels. It is intended to convey joie de vivre, extravagance, and a modern “lifestyle” character.
It is definitely a style that polarizes: either you love this visual sensory overload, or it is too “loud” for you. But it is guaranteed not to be boring.
Mauterndorf Castle Salzburg. Nxr-at, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mauterndorf Castle is an impressive historical gem in Salzburg’s Lungau region, bringing history to life for all age groups.
History of Mauterndorf Castle
The origins of the castle date back to Roman times, as it is located on the important trade route over the Radstädter Tauern (Via Imperialis).
Middle Ages: The current castle was built starting in the 13th century (first mentioned in 1253) by the Salzburg Cathedral Chapter to protect the toll station and the market.
Summer Residence: In the 15th century, the Prince-Archbishops of Salzburg, particularly Leonhard von Keutschach, grandly expanded the complex and used it as a preferred summer residence.
Rescue from Decay: After it fell into ruin in the 19th century, the Prussian staff physician Dr. Hermann von Epenstein acquired the castle in 1894 and restored it extensively. Since 1968, it has been owned by the State of Salzburg.
Location
The castle is picturesquely perched on a rocky outcrop directly in the historical center of the market town of Mauterndorf (Markt 27, 5570 Mauterndorf), about 100 kilometers south of the city of Salzburg. It is located in the Lungau, a region known as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve for its untouched nature.
Activities
“Desire for the Middle Ages” Experience Exhibition: An interactive journey through time with audio guides, where you meet life-sized figures such as the Archbishop or merchants.
The Defense Tower: The 44-meter high, over 700-year-old keep can be climbed. On six floors, you can see the armory, a dungeon, and the watchman’s room with a spectacular panoramic view.
Lungau Landscape Museum: It showcases the regional cultural history, customs, and minerals of the surrounding area.
For Children: There is a large knight’s playground integrated directly into the old castle walls.
Events: Particularly popular are the annual Medieval Festival (usually in July), atmospheric evening tours, and the traditional Easter and Advent markets.
Gastronomy: The “Burgschenke” (Castle Tavern) offers regional delicacies on a sun terrace overlooking the town.
Accommodations near Mauterndorf Castle
In Mauterndorf, there are excellent accommodations, often in historical buildings:
Hotel Binggl: A charming 4-star hotel directly on the marketplace, just a few minutes’ walk from the castle. It is known for its own bakery and confectionery (↱ Hotel Binggl).
Hotel Neuwirt: A traditional, family-run house with excellent cuisine and a cozy atmosphere.
Hotel Steffner-Wallner: Offers rustic rooms, a wellness area, and is also very centrally located ( Hotel Steffner-Wallner).
Aktiv Hotel Karla: Ideal for wellness seekers with a spacious spa area and indoor pool.
A visit to Mauterndorf Castle can also be wonderfully combined with a ride on the Taurachbahn (a historical steam train) or an excursion to the Grosseck-Speiereck Adventure Mountain.
A ride on the Taurachbahn is the perfect complement to a visit to Mauterndorf Castle. It is considered the highest narrow-gauge railway in Austria (gauge 760 mm) and offers a nostalgic journey through time through the Lungau.
Route & Stations
The train operates on an approximately 11 km long section of the historical Murtalbahn.
Start: Mauterndorf Station (near the castle).
Stations: Mauterndorf – Gröbendorf – Mariapfarr – Lintsching – St. Andrä/Andlwirt (terminus for passenger traffic).
Duration: A one-way trip takes about 35–40 minutes.
Schedule & Season
The season is expected to start at the beginning of May and usually ends at the end of October.
Regular Operating Days: Usually on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) from June to September. In the pre- and post-season (May/October), there are often special trips.
Departure Times from Mauterndorf: Usually at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM.
Return from St. Andrä: Usually at 11:40 AM and 3:40 PM.
Prices (Estimated for 2026)
Adults: approx. € 15 (one way) / € 20 (return).
Children (up to 15 years): Usually at half price.
SalzburgerLand Card: A one-time free ride is generally included with this card.
Highlights of the Trip
True Steam Nostalgia: The trains are usually pulled by historical steam locomotives (such as the “Mariapfarr”). The smell of coal and the rhythmic pounding are part of the experience.
Open Wagons: In good weather, there are often open observation cars (“cabrio feeling”) that offer an unobstructed view of the Taurach Valley.
Volunteering with Heart: The railway is operated by Club 760 – railway enthusiasts who maintain the track and locomotives in their spare time.
The “Adventurous Three“: The Taurachbahn forms a popular excursion trio along with Mauterndorf Castle and the Grosseck-Speiereck Adventure Mountain.
Grosseck-Speiereck Adventure Mountain
The Grosseck-Speiereck Adventure Mountain is the third highlight of the “Adventurous Three” and connects the towns of Mauterndorf and St. Michael. Since we are currently (February 2026) in the middle of the winter season, the mountain is currently a paradise for skiers, but it also offers a completely different, equally exciting program in summer.
Winter 2026 (Current Season until April 2026)
The ski area is considered particularly snow-sure and family-friendly.
Skiing & Snowboarding: About 50 kilometers of slopes in all difficulty levels await you (26 km blue, 17 km red, 7 km black).
The legendary Valley Run: A highlight is the 8.5 km long south descent to St. Michael – one of the longest descents in the Niedere Tauern.
Winter Hiking: Between the mountain stations of the Grosseckbahn and the Sonnenbahn, there is an approx. 3 km long, groomed winter hiking trail at 2,000 m altitude with a magnificent panorama.
Ski Touring Evenings: Every Wednesday (in Mauterndorf) and Friday (in St. Michael), the slopes are open for ski tourers in the evening until 8:30 PM.
Prices: The day pass for adults costs approx. € 60,-, for children approx. € 30,-.
Summer 2026 (from June 2026)
In summer, the mountain transforms into a hiking and play paradise.
Hiking for Everyone: Many paths are suitable for strollers and are barrier-free, such as the “Natur-Pur-Weg” (Pure Nature Path) with display boards about flora and fauna.
Play & Adventure:
Mountain Playground: Directly at the mountain station, there are jumping cushions, a double zip line, go-karts, and a marble run.
Smarty Land: A huge adventure park at the valley station in Mauterndorf with a bungee trampoline, climbing mountain, and more.
Summit Experience: The summit cross on the Speiereck (2,411 m) can be reached from the mountain station in a moderate hike and offers a 360-degree view over the Lungau.
Prices: An ascent and descent costs approx. € 27,- for adults (it is usually free once with the LungauCard).
