Hotel Bristol Salzburg

A piece of Austrian history can be found in almost every part of the Bristol Hotel Salzburg from the carved stone arches over the windows to the painted chairs in the lobby to the blown-glass chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Even the current running through the walls is historic: The Bristol Hotel Salzburg was the first hotel in the city to have electricity. Sitting in chairs with gilt frames looking up at masterful paintings can make it feel a bit like you're staying in a living museum, which history buffs will appreciate. There aren't many other places where the Emperor Franz Josef, Sigmund Freud, and Ricardo Muti have all been guests. To accompany the noble decor, the staff also aspires to "silver plate" service.

While this property is a little ways from the center of Salzburg, the city is a manageable size, so the location isn't much of a problem. Travelers who like to bike might even want to consider renting one to get around town. The car trip from Salzburg Airport will take about 15 minutes. For those arriving by train, the ride is only five minutes. Fans of Mozart will be happy to know the hotel is only a two-minute walk to Mozarts Wohnhaus Museum (the composer's home now museum) and Mozarteum University of Salzburg, which hosts many concerts. One of the most significant buildings of Salzburg's old city -- the Church of the Holy Trinity designed by Johann Baptist Fischer -- is just a three-minute walk away. The Mirabell Palace and Gardens are four minutes by foot.

While the size of the rooms at the Bristol Hotel Salzburg vary in size from single to a double to deluxe suite, each of them is individually designed to recall different eras in the history of the hotel and Salzburg. One room evokes a concert hall with a mural of seats and a gold-framed mirror. Another looks like the set of a Cary Grant movie with a royal blue polka-dot carpet and balcony overlooking the city's rooftops. Several of the suites could be royal living quarters, detailed with flowery decorative molding and hand-carved wood furniture. Not every room is a winner, though, some guests complain of being shuttled into a small room that has a view of the building next door. The bathrooms are similarly distinctive: some are sublime, others a bit garish, but most have shower/tub combos and bidets. All of the rooms come with free Wi-Fi, luxe toiletries, safes, air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and minibars.

Given all of the rich dishes served by Bristol Hotel Salzburg's kitchens, it's unfortunate there's no fitness center to work off the calories. The Polo Lounge serves traditional continental dishes such as "Rib-Eye Steak with Potatoes Au Gratin," "Pan-Fried Goose Liver with Truffled Mashed Potatoes," and "Cheese Gnocchi with Walnut Pesto." The excellent free breakfast includes traditional Austrian cakes, cereal, eggs, and beans. Souvenir hunters can browse in the boutiques on-site. For business travelers, there's a business center with a computer and printers, plus meeting rooms available.