Austrian Aristocracy: Inside Rosewood Schloss Fuschl’s Reimagined Lakeside Castle

We arrive on the cusp of spring, as the alpine air begins to soften, and life spills outward from the old 15th-century hunting lodge: parasols are coming out of storage at the private, lakeside beach club, and guests are just beginning to populate the hotel’s main terrace, sipping morning coffees as they take in the glorious views across Lake Fuschl. As we drive down the hill towards the property – an elegant, whitewashed, red and blue-roofed edifice set on its own wedge of land, surrounded by lake waters on three sides – it’s like we’re stepping into a scene from Sissi, the legendary 1950s film trilogy that immortalised Romy Schneider as Empress Elisabeth of Austria. And no wonder. Rosewood’s Austrian address – located between the rivers, forests and mountains of the country’s Salzkammergut region and built as an aristocrat’s hunting lodge – played a scene-stealing role in the films.

Hugging the shores of the vast, forest-framed lake, Schloss Fuschl exudes sublime nobility, in keeping with its pedigree. Its elegance is both effortless and enduring. You can imagine each season casting a different light on its bastion-like beauty, but spring seems to suit it best.

Bedroom views, left, and the grounds

Stepping inside, a warm Austrian-German “Grüss Gott!” welcomes us. Despite the various roles taken by the property through the years – as a hunting lodge for Prince Archbishop Sigmund I. von Gleink-Volkersdorf (try saying that after one too many Betthupferl nightcaps), as a home for US soldiers after World War II, and then, in 1947, as a hotel – the property retains its noble bones, thanks to the thoughtful art and design choices made by its current incumbent, Rosewood. Those picks – both made and inherited when the hotel group took over in 2024 – see Dutch Old Masters share the walls with bold contemporary works, and iconic Danish designs sit comfortably alongside locally crafted collectibles and furnishings, such as the hand-painted botanical motifs on walls and bar cabinets by Austrian-born artist Marie Hartig. Upon getting the keys to the castle, Rosewood extensively restored the property, modernising where needed, to create a discerning stay that offers a breezy dialogue between heritage and hospitality.

From this vantage point, it’s clear: Rosewood Schloss Fuschl has set the bar high in countryside escapes. It's a property that promises to transport you to a world where natural beauty, intuitive, personalised service and aristocratic legacy meet.

View from the hotel

Rooms

All 98 rooms, including 42 suites, reflect the refined Rosewood touch, from elegant doubles to secluded chalets – the latter thoughtfully designed by local architecture firm Bauer Stahl.

We stayed in a Lakeside Junior Suite – 50sq m of contemporary calm, where muted warm tones, natural materials and soft lighting subtly framed the lake just beyond the balcony. The smart layout centres on a king-size bed, with a generously sized living area. We loved the marble bathroom stocked with Susanne Kaufmann products, too. Playful nods to Austrian culture, from Stefan Zweig novels and a line-up of regional, in-room schnapps to locally crafted decor root the space. Each evening, the offering of a bedtime story, featuring local legends spanning Salzburger Nockerl to the Mondsee, transforms the turn-down service into a cultural ritual.

Schloss Restaurant

What’s for breakfast?

Mornings begin in the main restaurant overlooking the lake, complete with your choice of magazines and newspapers. Everything is served on Austrian-made ceramic tableware.

The buffet feels fresh, abundant and well curated: oven-warm Semmeln and buttery Kipferl from organic bakery Joseph Brot, fine local cheeses and charcuterie, foraged berries, artisanal jams, a large selection of freshly pressed juices, and bircher muesli, Rosewood-style. The à la carte menu serves up regional and international breakfast classics, including hearty Würstel variations and wellness-inducing plates of avocado and fresh fruits. All celebrate local produce, with a standout being the house-smoked Lachsforelle from the Schlossfischerie – a traditional fishery exclusive to the estate.

Seeterrasse

Lunch and dinner

Our favourite spot in the whole hotel is the relaxed Seeterrasse restaurant. With its lofty old-world charm and spacious lakeside terrace, it’s perfect for a long lunch or sunset aperitivo. The menu is mostly liquid (Fuschl spritz, anyone?) but highlights on the dining side include fresh oysters, garden herb risotto, wild garlic gnocchi and a lingonberry-accompanied wiener schnitzel.

For dessert, we couldn’t resist making a small request to the attentive staff – mini cake creations from the on-site Sisi Teesalon: Austria’s iconic strudel and sachertorte are a must-try.

Dinner at the Schloss Restaurant is more traditional: expect Salzkammergut sour cream soup, fresh fish from the lake prepared at the table, and tender game from the local forest. It’s also a destination for more internationally inspired creations like blunzn gyoza – classic Japanese dumplings stuffed with old-school Austrian blood sausage. You can eat à la carte or from a six-course set menu, and a cellar of 1,400 carefully curated regional and international wines, built over decades, plus a sommelier who knows his craft, further elevate the dining experience.

In warmer months, the lakeside beach club also opens for all-day dining, bringing a breezy kind of glamour to proceedings. Expect glasses of crisp Riesling, grilled seafood and gentle live music, all enjoyed from the comfort of your lounger between lake swims. It’s Austria, yes – but with a wink to the French Riviera.

The foyer

Is there a bar?

The Schloss Bar, with its arched ceiling, is set at the heart of the hotel, and is the place for an aperitivo or digestivo. The impressive fireplace and forest-inspired wall paintings nod to the hotel’s hunting legacy, but it's a place of cosy corners, where great Austrian labels headline the cocktail list and well-curated whisky and wine collections add another layer of luxury to the hotel’s hospitality.

We opt for the wine bottle route: a silky, citrus-laced Franciacorta from nearby northern Italy. While Austria is world-renowned for its white wines, the reds – particularly from Burgenland – are equally deserving of attention. For dinner, we go for a bold, full-bodied Blaufränkisch Prieler Ried Goldberg 2015 – a wine worthy of any Super Tuscan comparison (shoutout for the recommendation from the head sommelier.).

After dinner, we returned to the fireplace, a glass of golden, honeyed Kracher Beerenauslese Cuvée 2020 making the perfect adult Betthupferl – the Austrian take on a sweet nightcap.

For hotel guests and hikers seeking a more rustic, relaxed Schloss experience, the downstairs Vinothek is a warm, wood-panelled evening refuge. You can munch down Austrian classics like Kaiserschmarren (chopped sweet pancakes) and Käsekrainer (smoked pork and cheese sausage), complemented by a curated selection of wines.

Rosewood Schloss Fuschl

Amenities

Plush towels, high-quality bedding, Nespresso machines and high-speed WiFi come as standard in all rooms, but it’s the castle’s grounds that bring this aristocratic pad alive.

For an immersive experience, join the in-house herbalist for a hike to get acquainted with local medicinal plants and folk traditions. Then, pack your swimsuit and head lakeside: the See Club offers a chance to swim, enjoy a boat ride, or relax on a sun-drenched deck, soaking in the postcard-like scenery.

For a serene sanctuary of self-care, there’s the Rosewood Asaya Spa, featuring indoor and outdoor infinity pools, a sauna and steam room. Bespoke treatments take place in rooms overlooking the lake, and there’s also a gym area.

For a cultural wonder, head to the Jagdhaus. Upstairs, the Sissi Museum brings the iconic movies to life with original posters and costumes, including a stunning collection of dainty hand-held parasols – the statement piece of the era. Downstairs, a beautifully curated boutique offers more than just dirndl and Janker – from traditional labels like Kleidermanufaktur Habsburg to modern dirndl fits by Kinga Mathe and bold accessories by Rita in Palma, it’s the place to get kitted out for your lakeside stay.

What are the hotel’s eco-credentials like?

The estate has its own fishery and bee hives, and during the Rosewood restoration, all efforts were made to source furniture, decorations and artwork from the surrounding region, whether from antique stores or traditional artisans.

What about accessibility?

This is a heritage building, despite its razzle-dazzle renovations – which comes with accessibility challenges. Newer parts of the building may be more accommodating, depending on your needs. Best to call ahead if you’re concerned.

Rosewood Schloss Fuschl’s lakeside perch<

What’s the crowd like?

At the breakfast buffet, we crossed paths with well-heeled Munich couples, beanie-wearing Berlin creatives, a young Hungarian aristocratic family, a stylish Italian mother-daughter duo, fit American finance bros, and a group of unbothered, champagne-sipping Austrian ladies – an elegant, international crowd.

Within a short walk I can find…

Part of the Schloss’ appeal is its far-from-the-buzz location, but swap that walk for a drive, and you’ll find Salzburg’s rich cultural offerings a few asphalt curves away. Make your first pit stop at Café Tomaselli, where Austria's famed Kaffeehauskultur comes to life. Mozartkugeln are a must: pistachio, marzipan, and nougat wrapped in dark chocolate. Try the original at Konditorei Fürst, or go handmade at Café Konditorei Habakuk. Stroll down the narrow pedestrian paths and pick up an outfit at the traditional Lanz Trachten or the more contemporary Madl Salzburg, then wrap up the day with an aperitivo on the terrace of the hotel Blue Gans, a piazza-style perch that’s perfect for people-watching – especially during the Salzburger Festspiele, when the city pulses with world-class theatre and music.

Things I should know

Don’t rush past the artworks lining the hotel’s walls – there are over 100 scattered through corridors, restaurants and communal areas. Spy creations from paintbrush-wielding wonders such as Jacob Marrel, François Boucher and Guilio Carpioni.