Hotel Schloss Dürnstein: The Most Beautiful Danube Panorama In Austria

Anyone who likes waterfront accommodation will love Hotel Schloss Dürnstein just outside Vienna. The only five-star hotel in the Wachau and Lower Austria delights guests with its box seat on the Danube as well as its history.

Hotel Schloss Dürnstein is located in the small town of Dürnstein of the same name. The baroque building is one of the most traditional houses in the country. Guests can take a seat on antique armchairs in the library, explore the thick walls of the centuries-old wine cellar and spend the night under time-honored chandeliers.

The 46 modernized rooms and suites are all individually furnished by the owners, the Thiery family, and are as exclusive as they are charming. Tip: The newly renovated suite number 8 offers plenty of comfort on two floors and a balcony with an unobstructed view of the Danube!

Wellbeing concept at Hotel Schloss Dürnstein

Calmer waters can be found in the hotel’s pretty inner courtyard in the form of an outdoor pool with a magnificent view of the ruins of Dürnstein Fortress, where Richard the Lionheart was once held prisoner. If the weather doesn’t play ball, the heated indoor pool in the spa area invites you to take a dip. Two saunas and an infrared cabin round off the wellness offer.

Another important part of the wellbeing concept at Hotel Schloss Dürnstein: the cuisine. The talented Austrian Nadine Stangl has been in charge of the hotel’s kitchen since the beginning of 2024 and conjures up delicious dishes with a Caribbean twist at award-winning level. Be sure to try it: The homemade pasta with lobster and the tartare from the original carrot!

You should definitely enjoy your dinner on the hotel terrace – it is considered the most beautiful on the Danube. Thanks to the adjustable panoramic windows, you can sit there even in bad weather and lose yourself in the view of the flowing waters of the (not always blue) Danube. Wonderful!

Excursion in the hotel’s own boat

The Wachau, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is not only known for its enchanting landscape, but also for its excellent wines. Klaus, the sommelier, and his colleague Christina at Hotel Schloss Dürnstein serve these wines as competently as they do cordially. In addition to the terrace, the castle’s spacious wine cellar is also a good choice, as is one of the hotel’s own boats, which even allow tasting on the water when the weather is fine – fantastic! Good to know: Guests who are not staying at the Schlosshotel can also enjoy boat tours including wine tastings. One such provider is the young winemaker Markus Mayer.

The amazing view of the Danube can also be found in the Küffer Keller, the hotel’s second restaurant within walking distance, where barbecue specialties are served from May to September.

Another dining option is the Schloss Greisslerei, just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel. If you take a seat in the small, pretty courtyard or in the bistro-like interior, you can choose from a good dozen fine dishes every day from 8 am to 8 pm. The restaurant also sells regional, home-made products, from wines to the famous and extremely tasty Wachau apricot jam.

A must for culinary fans: a visit to the annual gourmet festival in spring. This is when the Wachau offers top cuisine combined with sensational wine pairings. Hotel Schloss Dürnstein also acts as host every year and organizes, among other things, a legendary Kitchen Party, where not only the terrace but also the hotel kitchen is used. Make sure to plan for 2025!

Visit to the Benedictine monks

Dürnstein is also a good starting point for a trip to the abbey of the same name in the municipality of Melk, just under 30 kilometers away. The extensive, baroque monastery complex towers above the Danube and, like the Wachau region, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Benedictine monks have lived and worked there in an uninterrupted tradition since 1089. Today, the monastery also houses a grammar school and invites visitors to explore the beautiful gardens and magnificent rooms, such as the library with over 100,000 books and the church with its opulent ceiling frescoes, on their own or as part of a guided tour. All the gold leaf, stucco and marble form a beautiful contrast to the wild Danube, which flows below the complex and uncovered the rock on which the country’s most famous monastery stands in the first place.

Culture enthusiasts should not miss out on the many cultural events at Melk Abbey from March to June. The program includes various concerts and exhibitions, true to the monastery’s motto “Where history comes to life, art inspires and music touches the soul“.

Spend the night in the hotelier family’s country house

The Wachau is a magical place with magnificent buildings and exceptional hotels such as Hotel Schloss Dürnstein. “Our aim is to preserve tradition and yet move with the times,” says Maria Katharina Thiery, hostess and manager of the five-star hotel.

The balancing act definitely works! The impressive ambience is just as impressive as the warm service, which you can enjoy not only as a guest in the hotel, but also in the 130 square metre, modernized Villa Schönthal. The chic country house of the Thiery family is located just a few minutes’ walk from the castle and guarantees maximum privacy. In addition to all the comforts, there is also a delightful garden sauna with a direct view of the Danube, offering guests relaxation and tranquillity at all times.

To sum it up in a nutshell: Experience individuality and gain enriching experiences – a visit to Hotel Schloss Dürnstein is always a success!