Need recommendations for Hallstatt hotels

First thing to realize about staying in town is that it is closed to general traffic. You have to park outside of town and walk a good distance with your luggage. Of course, if you come in on the train and by boat across the lake, then you are right there. I stayed in Lahn, which is at the south end of town, near the parking lots, a short walk with my luggage to my accommodations, then a walk (~1 km) into town.

Since you live in Germany, does that mean you speak German, because where I stayed, that's all they spoke.

Thanks Lee. We will be driving and have very little luggage. Language is not a big issue.

We stayed at Seehotel Gruner Baum a couple of years ago and it was acceptable. I wouldn't say it was really nice; it was really pricey too. The views were amazing though! You won't find a double room there for anything close to your budget. It is right next door to Gasthof Simony, so if you can get a room view there, then I would say you should do that instead.

As far as parking: we were able to drive up to the hotel and unload our bags. Then we were able to park near the dock, which was a 90 second walk from the hotel.

Have fun and definitely do the salt mine tour! :)

My husband and I stayed at the Gasthof Zauner. Our room was large (for Europe) and had a small balcony. The hotel is located at a narrow corner of the tiny 'plaza'. The breakfast was really great and we enjoyed the typically german decor (ivy growing outside had been 'trained' into the breakfast room and covered parts of the ceiling). The staff was very friendly and happily showed us different rooms until we found the one we liked the best. We were happy with our choice. We traveled with another couple who had never traveled to Europe so I chose the Braugasthof for them because it is so quaint and full of antiques. Gorgeous rooms full of wood and balconies facing the lake. No elevator but they said a great breakfast with lovely staff. Beware that the swans do make some noise at night but the Braugasthof is definitely more typical and quaint. You can drop off your bags and then park. If you don't stay here, come back for great Hallstaat beer and food! Have fun!!!!

We were in Halstatt two years ago and stayed in Hotel Herlitz. It was clean and comfortable but nothing special. We did, however, have dinner at Gasthof Zauner and we promised ourselves that if we ever returned to Halstatt we would stay there. We did not see any of the rooms but the dining area was cozy and inviting, the meal delicious, and the staff very friendly.

D.D.,

A few comments on two of the Hotels you mentioned....

Gasthof Simony - is a beautiful and very comfortable older Hotel and the owner (Suzanna) is great. It has the classic Rick Steves character, including "creaky" floors. The breakfast room is a bit "compact" but they provided a really nice breakfast. The food in the restaurant downstairs is good, and I especially enjoyed sitting on the back patio with a "cool one" watching the ducks cruising back and forth on the lake.

Hotel Grüner Baum - this is right next to Gasthof Simony and is somewhat more "upscale". When I was last there (in spring 2008, as I recall), there were extensive renovations underway. The rooms overlooking the lake have a fantastic view! The restaurant is quite large, overlooks the lake and the food is fantastic! The owner (Monica, as I recall) is wonderful!

As someone else mentioned, there's a bit of a walk from the car park to those Hotels. It's all level and not too difficult. One note of caution though - there IS traffic in the town, so be vigilant! I witnessed an "unfortunate incident" one night. A teenage boy came running out of the alley between the two Hotels just as a car was speeding through town. He was struck and knocked into the front of Hotel Grüner Baum, but fortunately seemed to be fine. As a retired Paramedic, I tried to assist but the language issue was VERY frustrating!

Happy travels!