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Review: Rosewood Schloss Fuschl, Austria’s Most Enchanting Lakeside Escape
- Faye Bradley
- 2 hours ago
- 6 min read
SALZBURG
CSP Times checks into Rosewood Schloss Fuschl, a storybook escape set on the glassy shores of an Austrian lake. We arrived via Cathay Pacific’s new direct service to Munich — now flying four times weekly — spending two nights at the elegant Rosewood Munich before a scenic two-hour drive delivered us to the fairytale tranquillity of Schloss Fuschl.
All images are courtesy of Faye Bradley | CSP Times.
I can’t. I won’t. It’s seven in the morning, eight degrees Celsius, and here I am, swaddled in a bathrobe and slippers, debating whether to hurl myself into the icy embrace of an Austrian lake. A lake so pristine, so impossibly clear, it could double as drinking water. And maybe that’s the cruelest part — because yes, it promises miracles for my skin and hair, but more importantly, it promises something more challenging to quantify: a reset for my mind and body.
So, before anyone else arrives — they’re only a couple of minutes behind — and before I can talk myself out of it, I jump. And oh, it’s glorious. The first ten seconds are pure shock therapy, cold enough to make you question every life choice, but then…something shifts. It becomes weirdly, almost defiantly wonderful. The icy water kisses my skin in a way that’s both bracing and oddly tender, like cryotherapy for the soul — lingering coolness that seeps to the bone.
Five minutes later, I haul myself out, shivering but triumphant. And of course, when the others finally arrive, I plunge back in — not for the thrill this time, but for posterity. Someone has to capture proof that I actually did it. It’s a far cry from yesterday morning, luxuriating in the hotel’s glorious outdoor heated pool — less of a challenge, sure, but still a delight. Today, though, I’ve earned it.
And I’m so glad I did. After all, this is Lake Fuschl — the so-called crown jewel of Austria’s Salzkammergut region, nestled in the state of Salzburg. When, realistically, would I next have the chance to submerge myself in water this pristine?
It’s here that I’ve checked into Rosewood Schloss Fuschl, a historic lakeside hotel that seems to exist in a world all its own. Opened last year under the Rosewood banner, the property began its life in 1461 as a grand hunting lodge and summer residence for the Archbishop of Salzburg. Over the centuries, it has welcomed guests from Romy Schneider — immortalised in the Sissi films — to royalty and dignitaries, including the Queen of Thailand and Audrey Hepburn. After World War II, it even served as a home for US soldiers before opening its doors as a hotel in 1947.
Today, under the stewardship of the Schörghuber family in partnership with Rosewood and with renovations by G.A. Group and Bauer Stahl, the hotel strikes a perfect balance between historic grandeur and contemporary elegance. Interiors are a seamless mix of old-meets-new, enriched with art from the family’s extensive collection — a reminder that at Schloss Fuschl, history is never merely preserved; it’s lived.
Getting to this lakeside paradise has never been easier: I arrived via Cathay Pacific’s newly launched route from Hong Kong to Munich, which is only two hours from Salzburg. The flight itself felt like the perfect prelude to the retreat — comfortable, efficient, and a reminder that sometimes the journey is just as enjoyable as the destination.
The hotel itself feels like it has been lifted straight from a fairytale. Upon checking into my Premier Lakeside Room, my eyes immediately find the terrace, which frames the lake beyond and the trees that gently slope down toward it. Austria is strict when it comes to preserving its natural landscapes, and it shows — here, nature reigns supreme, and we are merely guests, quietly observing.
The room is modern, airy, and generously proportioned, part of the hotel’s 98 rooms — including 42 suites, a remarkable ratio that makes nearly half the property suites. Interiors combine sandstone-brown wooden flooring with marble-clad bathrooms, marrying contemporary comfort with a subtle nod to historic elegance.
When it comes to dining, expect to eat like royalty — across six restaurants, all guided by culinary director Julian Schwamberger — and to be utterly spoiled by the accompanying views. Take Schloss Restaurant, for example: the perfect spot for breakfast. Claim a window seat if you can, because the vistas of Lake Fuschl are as indulgent as the food. Think made-to-order eggs, sweet treats like French toast and Belgian waffles, and buffet essentials such as German sausages. My personal favourite? A simple pretzel with butter, somehow elevated to heavenly heights by European air and craftsmanship.
Dinner at Schloss Restaurant is no less spectacular, with a regal experience that includes delicacies like tender veal and delicate pastries shaped like pillows — so cute you almost don’t want to eat them — paired, naturally, with a local Austrian Riesling, my absolute favourite. For nightcaps, the Schloss Bar is a must; I highly recommend the spicy margarita while soaking up live music on select evenings.
Then there’s the See Terrasse, a glasshouse-like space with a terrace overlooking the lake. We dined inside, indulging in a seafood feast: Styrian Alpine prawns, Lake Fuschl fish, saffron bouillabaisse, and grilled fillet of char from the castle fishery, complemented by sour cream mousseline, bouchot mussels, and Barigoule Beurre Blanc. Dessert? A warm, oozing chocolate soufflé, served, naturally, with Tonka bean ice cream.
Other options include Vinoethek, a haven for wine lovers housed in a traditional “Wirtshaus” lodge; the residential-style Sisi Teesalon, offering handmade cakes in honour of the Empress; and See Club, where lavish dining by the water showcases fresh seafood and expertly grilled dishes. At Schloss Fuschl, each meal is a carefully curated blend of tradition, luxury, and, of course, the kind of views that make every bite taste even better.
The Asaya Spa — all 1,500 square feet of it — is nothing short of magical. Indoor and outdoor spaces intertwine seamlessly: an indoor pool, an outdoor heated infinity pool overlooking Lake Fuschl, a winter garden, and a gym whose treadmill offers arguably the best view in Austria. Three saunas and a steam bath complete the wellness trifecta, but the real indulgence comes from the spa treatments themselves. Alpine aromatherapy, cupping therapy, and deep tissue massages sit comfortably alongside facials like Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Sturmglow. Wellness extends beyond the spa walls too, with lakeside yoga, sound healing, botanical walks, and paddleboarding sessions ensuring there’s no excuse to skip moving the body. And yes, it wouldn’t truly be a stay without a dip in the pools — they are, quite frankly, out of this world.
Wellness at Schloss Fuschl also comes with a side of local lore. A herbal walk and workshop with Martina, a connoisseur of the region’s herbs, revealed the secrets behind the homemade salts we later sampled. We wandered through the hotel grounds and into the hills, which seemed almost to hum with life. The perfect finale was a visit to the Schloss Fishery, operating since 1987 under master fisherman Gerhard Langmeier, serving smoked fish from daily catches. As someone who isn’t usually a fish aficionado (though sashimi is my exception), I can vouch: this was sublime — fresh, delicate, and entirely un-fishy.
I’ve always wanted to visit Salzburg, and not knowing when I might next have the chance, I seized the moment and made the short 25-minute trip to the city that raised the incomparable Mozart. Small but striking, Salzburg exudes music from its very walls.
Yet while Salzburg calls, the hotel beckons just as insistently. Rosewood Schloss Fuschl has that rare quality of making you not want to leave. Arriving here from Oktoberfest and a stay at Rosewood Munich — which offered a wonderful city atmosphere within a historic building — this felt entirely different. It’s a nature-led retreat, a world apart from ordinary life, where the lake, the hills, and the quiet insist on slowing your pace. And for that, I am grateful. It’s a reminder that sometimes the best escapes aren’t just about the places you visit — they’re about the rare, restorative moments that make you feel utterly, blissfully present.
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