Situated on the shores of Upper Austria's picturesque Lake Wolfgang, Villa Alma is redefining the idea of the summer retreat – a fresh-faced boutique hotel that masterfully blends historical elegance with contemporary comfort. Dating back to the 19th century, it underwent extensive renovations in 2021, winning a prestigious German Design Award for excellence in interior architecture. Villa Alma offers eight double rooms and suites, each featuring a private balcony with stunning lake views. The interiors draw inspiration from classic European aesthetics fused with modern simplicity. Real wood strip parquet in a herringbone pattern, hand-selected tiles, and bespoke furniture from local artisans add to the villa's sophisticated yet relaxed ambiance.
The Salzkammergut tourist region stretches eastwards from Salzburg to the Dachstein Mountains, 280sq.km of which has been Unesco-listed as a Cultural Landscape. First settled in prehistoric times around the salt mines, the area was made popular by European aristocracy escaping the sweltering city heat, who established quaint cultural hubs and spa towns. Today, these summer retreats are experiencing a revival, and Villa Alma is the perfect embodiment of this spirit year-round. Tranquil spaces, including a private beach, a boathouse, and a library, all enhance the atmosphere of a bygone era. The colour palette features calming hues of blue, green, and earth tones, creating unity with the glimpses of vistas out every window. The surrounding landscape offers up myriad delights, including hiking, wild swimming, snow sports, mountaineering and watersports. It's both a self-contained getaway and a luxury base from which to collect memories that will last far beyond your stay.
Highs
- Location is everything – secluded and private and right on the lake, but within walking distance of the buzzy town of St Gilgen. Meanwhile Salzburg is less than an hour away
- Lots of extras are included – from free toiletries, bath towels, slippers and robes to free bike rental and paddle boards
- Ideal for couples and small families – there’s plenty to keep kids occupied and extra beds are available for under-14s
- The opportunity to discover the Salzkammergut resort region, with glacial lakes, magnificent mountain ranges, spa towns and salt mines dating back to Celtic times
Lows
- There aren't enough free parking spaces for all guests if the hotel is full (eight rooms and only six spaces); additional car parking is available opposite
- It’s an old building so noise can travel especially at busy times in the kitchen
- Outside the high summer months, the lake itself can be fairly bracing temperature-wise
- No twin beds
- No evening meals available – there are restaurants within walking distance
Best time to go
Wolfgangsee is a year-round destination (note that the hotel closes in February). Summers can get pretty hot, although the lake itself keeps things bearable. For the more energetic outdoor pursuits, spring and autumn are great for hiking and biking and in winter there’s the magic of advent with its abundance of Christmas markets and the opportunity to ski on the nearby slopes and cross-country trails.
Our top tips
Salzburg is under an hour away and well worth a visit. It’s a beautiful, Baroque city at the foot of the Alps and you can see most sights in a day trip – especially the Altstadt (Old Town). Visit the cathedral, Mozart’s birthplace and museum, the Getreidegasse shopping area, St Peter’s Abbey and the main squares. It may sound kitsch but a Sound of Music tour is one of the best ways to discover Salzburg’s Baroque old town (where much of the movie was filmed.) It only takes four hours and includes locations such as the Mirabell Gardens, Leopoldskron Castle and Nonnberg Abbey.
- Boutique Hotel
- 8 rooms
- Breakfast only; walk to restaurants
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Sauna
- Beach nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Bicycles Available
- Electric car charger
Rooms
There are eight large rooms in total, all with spectacular views over the lake and the surrounding mountains. The largest, the Lakeview Family Suite, is actually two rooms with a kingsize and a double bed. The Superior Lakeside Studio also has a kingsize bed plus an additional sofa bed that can sleep two. All the other rooms come with kingsize beds and their own ensuites, plus private balconies or terraces as well as minibars, coffee machines and kettles. Extra beds for a child are available for a small surcharge.
The design of all the rooms is quite similar – clean and bright with splashes of coral on the bedspreads, and teal on the walls and woodwork. Full-length French windows with cheery yellow curtains soak up the sunlight and lead out on to the terraces. Parquet flooring, exposed beams and antique fixtures add chic historical touches but the overall feel is contemporary modern.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Coffee / tea making
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- Radio
- Safe box
- Satellite TV
- Slippers
- Terrace/balcony
- Toiletries
- WiFi
Eating
Breakfast is a regional affair with homemade bread, freshly cooked egg dishes, granola, local meats etc as well as coffee and juices – to be enjoyed on your terrace or down on the sundeck overlooking the water. The kitchen can also prepare lunch on request (vegetarian and vegan options available) – think pasta, salads and sandwiches from a weekly menu with daily specials and a focus on seasonal produce (perhaps strawberries during the strawberry season) – or you can help yourself to snacks and drinks from the honesty bar. The hotel hosts a barbecue for guests on Saturdays during July and August too.
A short stroll, however, will lead you a host of upmarket eateries in St. Gilgen – the hotel can provide recommendations and reservations. The fare here is very much local dishes (hello schnitzel) and a big emphasis on meat. But almost all also offer vegetarian and vegan options and, this being Austria, the desserts are extravagant and hearty. One experience that everyone raves about is Das Zwölfer atop the nearby Zwölferhorn mountain. With panoramic views of neighbouring peaks and the vast lake below, it’s an unpretentious spot to enjoy breakfast, a leisurely lunch or even a late afternoon Kaffee und Kuchen after a healthy hike.
Features include:
- Breakfast
- Coffee maker
- Kids' meals
- Lunch by arrangement
- Restaurants nearby
- Vegan options
- Vegetarian options
Activities
- Take a scenic ride on the Zwölferhorn cable car to experience breathtaking views of the Salzkammergut region. At the top there are hiking trails, from easy circular routes to more challenging mountain treks, all with spectacular panoramic views
- Cruise the lake on the traditional Wolfgangsee fleet, including the historic paddle steamer Kaiser Franz Josef I. Hop on and off to explore charming lakeside villages such as St. Gilgen, St. Wolfgang, and Strobl
- From St. Wolfgang, you can jump on a little cog train up to the 1800m summit of Schafberg for more Alpine vistas and outstanding hikes
- Or follow the lovely lakeside trail from St. Gilgen past Fürberg and the Falkensteinwand to St. Wolfgang (a 2.5-hour hike), catching the ferry back
- Paraglide from the Zwölferhorn, soaring over the stunning lake and surrounding mountains for an unforgettable aerial adventure
- Visit the crystal-clear mountain lake of Gosausee with stunning views of the Dachstein glacier, or explore Hallstatt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its picturesque alpine scenery and rich history
- Unsurprisingly water sports feature heavily with a host of activities to choose from – rowing, water skiing, wakeboarding, paddleboarding and tubing. You can even hire your own electric boat to explore the lake
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Paragliding
- Skiing
- SUP
- Swimming
- Waterskiing
- Watersports
Kids
Kids of all ages are welcome – there’s plenty of things to keep them occupied. We think this is better suited to older kids and teens but baby cots, extra beds and high chairs are also available.
Best for:
Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
The Lakeview Family Suite with its two rooms, and the Superior Lakeside Studio with its added sofa bed are the best bets for those with older children.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available, Family Rooms
Children's meals:
There are kid-friendly options such as pasta dishes on the lunch menu
Families Should Know:
There is direct lake access so keep an eye on little ones.
Distances:
- Airport: 45 minutes
- Hospital: 40 minutes
- Shops: 5 minutes
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Villa Alma is situated on the shores of Lake Wolfgang (Wolfgangsee) in the Unesco-listed Salzkammergut region of western Austria, near the German border.
By Air:
The nearest airport is Salzburg WA Mozart, about 40km away.
From the Airport:
Taxis and rental cars are freely available at the airport and the drive is around 40 mins. If you want to hire a car, see our car rental recommendations. You can book a private transfer via the hotel too.
By Public Transport:
There is the regular 150 bus service (about 50 mins) and also a train from the airport to St Gilgen which includes one change and can take up to 90 mins.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com
Airports:
- Salzburg Airport W. A. Mozart 41.0 km SZG
Other:
- Beach 380.0 km
- Shops 0.2 km
- Restaurant 0.2 km