• Hotel Alte Post-Wrann (Velden; tel. 04274/2141; www.wrann.at): In the sophisticated summer resort of Carinthia, at the western end of the Wörther See, this is an ideal choice for an "Austrian Riviera" vacation. Once the headquarters of a postal route station, it was long ago renovated, enlarged, and turned into this welcoming hotel. Rooms are sunny and traditionally furnished. The restaurant, with its massive ceiling beams, is very good. There's also a Viennese-style heurige (rustic wine tavern) serving the finest local wines.

 

  • Hotel Auersperg (Salzburg; tel. 0662/889440; www.auersperg.at): A traditional family-run hotel with generously sized rooms, this charmer has an old-fashioned atmosphere but is still beautifully maintained, from its antiques-filled drawing room to its convivial library bar. It's a warm, inviting, and cozy place to base yourself in the city of Mozart.

 

  • Hotel Goldener Adler (Innsbruck; tel. 0512/571111; www.goldeneradler.com): This hotel, which has hosted everyone from Goethe to Paganini, has a history spanning 6 centuries. Genuine art decorates the public areas, and the four dining rooms (including a Tyrolean cellar) are local favorites for eating and drinking. Rooms vary in size but are nicely appointed, with Tyrolean touches. The place isn't luxurious, but it's historic and comfortable.

 

  • Hotel Kaiserin Elisabeth (Vienna; tel. 01/515260; www.kaiserinelisabeth.at): Lots of famous folks, from Wagner to Franz Liszt, have stayed in this building, which dates from the 14th century. It manages to be stately and homey at the same time. Public areas are richly furnished with oriental rugs, a dome skylight, and marble floors. The most desirable rooms are furnished in a neo-baroque style with parquet floors.

 

  • Hotel-Restaurant Sänger Blondel (Dürnstein; tel. 02711/253; www.saengerblondel.at): Along the Danube sits this charmingly old-fashioned place, painted a bright lemon and accented with green shutters. It's named for the faithful minstrel who searched the countryside for the imprisoned Richard the Lion-Hearted. Today guests are housed in traditionally styled and cozy rooms; if your windows are open, you can sometimes hear zither music drifting in from the courtyard.

 

  • Hotel Seehof (Goldegg; tel. 06415/8137-0; www.derseehof.at/): This hotel, on a small alpine lake south of Salzburg, dates from 1449. Rustic artifacts and local painted furnishings add to its old-fashioned charm. In summer, guests can enjoy the outdoor terrace, but in winter, they come here for skiing. The hotel rents ski equipment and directs guests to the nearby slopes.

 

  • Romantik Hotel Traube (Lienz; tel. 04852/64444; www.tiscover.at/romantikhotel-traube): Deep in the heart of East Tyrol, this classic hotel, rebuilt after World War II damage, is the most desirable in this remote and offbeat part of Austria. Its prices are reasonable, and the hotel also offers the best restaurant in East Tyrol. Open your window, see the mountains, and imagine you're Julie Andrews.

 

  • Schlosshotel Freisitz Roith (Gmunden; tel. 07612/64905; www.oberoesterreich.at/schlosshotel): Built as a summer house by the Hapsburg Emperor Rudolf II in 1597, this castle hotel, in one of the most popular summer resorts in the Salzkammergut, is now open to the masses. Converted into a hotel in 1965, it's a winning combination of a baroque private residence and a Victorian hotel.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.