The Best Hotels to Book in Zell am See, Austria

Dating back to the 19th century, the Grand Hotel Zell am See will wow you with its aristocratic atmosphere, along with beautiful lake views. Many people come to explore the classic car routes in the Salzburg region, although the spa with a Roman-bath-style pool and sauna may be hard to leave. Other pastimes include a relaxing boat ride across the scenic lake. Ornate belle-époque designs mean patterned headboards in the rooms, many of which have lake vistas. Take time to sip a hot chocolate on the waterfront terrace in the alpine sun.

Hotels in Zell am See don’t come much more luxurious than this traditional alpine hotel run by the appropriately named Posch family for nearly 40 years. It has period-style accents, such as wood panelling on ceilings and four-poster beds, along with more contemporary elements, such as the indoor spa pool with a whimsical mural. You’re an easy stroll from the esplanade, a lakeside walkway with mountain views where you can soak up the fresh alpine air and scenery.

If you’d like to be in the heart of the town, you’ll love this hotel close to the Medieval pedestrianised centre. Popular hiking tours start outside the hotel, and the Kitzsteinhorn glacier is only 8km (5mi) away for winter skiing enthusiasts. Fancy a flutter? The Casino Zell am See is also close by; however, for a more wholesome evening, try the home-style cooking using sustainably sourced ingredients at the hotel. Sleep soundly in cosy wood-lined rooms with pretty drapes and soft lighting, some with romantic hearts and red details.

This adults-only spa hotel takes a pared-back approach, with minimalist furnishings and carefully curated design. Local wood, stone and glass create an alpine-industrial look with ambient lighting effects. As the name suggests, shades of violet adorn various parts of the interior, including the wood-clad walls and seating. The suites offer excellent views of the coniferous forest and the lake from the balconies or terraces, where you can sip a glass of local wine.

A short walk from Lake Zell, this hip hotel blends modern design with views of spectacular scenery, not least on the aptly named Rooftop Bar, where you can toast your good fortune with views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Kick off your ski boots in sleekly styled rooms with wood floors and feature walls and snuggle up under the soft blankets.

If you like a mix of activities and relaxation, this hotel is for you. One of the top wellness hotels in Austria, it’s a short 5km (3mi) drive from Golfclub Zell am See-Kaprun. Explore the six different saunas and the daily wellness and activity programme, followed by a dip in the swimming pond in the feng-shui garden. Afterwards, wrap yourself up in your robe and relax in your richly decorated, wood-adorned room with a buttery pancake and some hot coffee.

Families love this traditional alpine-style farm, where you can give your kids a taste of the great outdoors. Cows and donkeys spend the summer months on the hotel pasture, and there are also rabbits, guinea pigs, quails, chickens, dwarf goats and cats. The self-catering Weberalm hut can be booked for up to seven people in summer and is perfect for hikers and cyclists, with the Hohe Tauern National Park nearby. Cheerful rooms feature scenic murals and bright colours.

Warm wooden floors and cosy throws create an inviting ambience in the rooms – so much so that you may struggle to leave this central hotel. However, Hotel Heitzmann offers night skiing three times a week on lit-up slopes with great views of the town below and e-bike rentals during the summer. After all that exercise, hit the aptly named Rooftop Bar for spectacular lake and mountain views as you sip a hot toddy. If you love nightlife or want to explore the town, you’re in the right place.

Modern rooms and apartments with leafy or striped green fabrics add to the natural feel at this homely pine-clad town-centre hotel; upgrade for a balcony for al fresco morning coffee. Despite beginning as a butchery back in the 1940s and offering regional classics such as wiener schnitzel (breaded, pan-fried veal cutlet), the hotel restaurant also caters for vegetarians. Relax in the wellness area with two saunas and a Kneipp wading pool. In the evening, sample the ciders and brandies created by a distillery in Lower Austria.