Hotel Sacher Salzburg review: Grand tradition meets homely vibes with mesmerising views of the city and Alps

In a nutshell: A grand hotel on the banks of the river with some of the best views in the city – and a surprisingly relaxed, homely vibe

The neighbourhood

While Vienna may be the first city that springs to mind when planning a weekend break in Austria, Salzburg is arguably more picture perfect. The twinkling Salzach river runs through the city. Baroque architecture and magnificent buildings scatter the banks and Old Town. The iconic Fortress Hohensalzburg perches overhead. All set against the breathtaking backdrop of the rocky Alps. Besides its beauty, Salzburg is best known as the home of Mozart and the setting for The Sound of Music. Classical music fans can visit the composer’s birthplace or catch a concert in a hall where he once played. For movie lovers, there’s a whole host of set locations to visit where you can sing your “Doe, Ray, Mes”.

And there’s still much more to see and do in this very walkable city. Climb the hill or take the funicular up to the fortress for some history and views of the Old Town, rent bikes and take a ride along the river, stroll through the picturesque Mirabell Gardens, kick back in one of the many old beer halls, and sample some traditional Austrian dishes. We visited on one of the last weekends of summer but the city is even more popular in autumn and winter when tourists flock to the famed Oktoberfest events and Christmas markets.

Hotel Sacher Salzburg is located right in the heart of the city just across the water from the Old Town and minutes walking distance from the most popular sites, so it’s a perfect base from which to explore. Perched right on the banks of the river – a few steps from the Lover’s Locks bridge – you can’t miss the facade of the impressive, Wes Anderson-style five-star hotel greeting you.

The vibe

At first glance, Hotel Sacher Salzburg appears to be a formal, fancy place. There’s the doormen in traditional attire greeting you at the entrance; the opulent antique furniture and mosaic tile flooring adorning the lobby; the crystal chandeliers and traditional Austrian artwork on display.

It’s the kind of place where you expect to be given a formal dress…