Falkensteiner Schlosshotel Velden – the Leading Hotels of the World

Preliminary remark: For a review of my stay kindly watch my comprehensive video review on my YouTube Channel Truly Excellent Hotels & More (link can be found in my profile) & don't forget to subscribe for further reviews of Truly Excellent Hotels & More around the globe. Nestled in Velden on Lake Wörthersee, in the Austrian province of Carinthia, the Falkensteiner Schlosshotel Velden is a luxurious retreat with a rich history dating back to its origins as a Renaissance castle in the late 16th century. As a member of the Leading Hotels of the World the Schlosshotel Velden is operated by Falkensteiner Hotels & Residences, which took over the ownership & management of the hotel in 2011. The hotel boasts 105 exquisitely designed rooms & suites, offering breathtaking views of either the castle garden or Lake Wörthersee. During my stay, I was allocated a Junior Suite Deluxe in the contemporary annex building. The Junior Suites Deluxe offer an expansive area ranging from 58 to 78 square meters & feature separate living spaces, king-size beds, lounge sofas, work desks, reading chairs, two flat-screen TVs & luxurious marble en-suite bathrooms. Additional amenities encompass touch displays for room control, complimentary Wi-Fi, a Nespresso coffee machine, a minibar, a complimentary bottle of water daily, & welcome sweet treats upon arrival. The white marble bathrooms, illuminated by natural light, feature dual washbasins, a freestanding bathtub, a rain shower, a separate toilet & bidet, as well as Falkensteiner branded bath products from dispensers. Spacious, furnished terraces, complete with a sun lounger & a table with two chairs, offer exceptional views of the historic castle grounds, the garden, & Lake Wörthersee. The Schlosshotel Velden was originally built in 1590 as a Renaissance castle for Count Bartholomäus Khevenhüller. After changing hands multiple times it became an inn after a 1762 fire, & was transformed into a hotel in the late 19th century. The Schlosshotel Velden is also known from TV due to its appearance in the popular German TV series "Ein Schloss am Wörthersee" (a Castle on Lake Wörthersee), which aired in the early 1990s. A sumptuous breakfast buffet is typically served in the elegant ballroom overlooking Lake Wörthersee or on the terrace in summer. During my stay, breakfast was relocated to the "Salons Restaurant & Atelier". The buffet selection includes fresh pastries & breads, spreads & jams, regional cold cuts & cheeses, smoked fish, cereals, yoghurts, vegetables, salads, fresh fruit juices, including those you can prepare yourself on a juicer, & hot breakfast dishes. À la carte breakfast dishes such as freshly prepared omelettes, Eggs Benedict, Austrian pancakes, or porridge are offered on a complimentary basis. The breakfast service was friendly, though it lacked efficient coordination. An underground tunnel conveniently connects to the hotel's beach club, which is located across the road in front of the hotel, featuring a

Everything about this hotel is first-rate. My fiancé and I stayed in a tower suite and were greeted with handwritten stationary congratulating us. The front desk was also outstanding and their Ritz training and influence is evident. Jean and Domen were there the majority of the time and I can’t say enough kind things about them. Lastly, having spent many years rehabbing sports injuries, this is hands down the nicest spa I’ve ever seen or experienced and my fiancé and I left feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and appreciated. P.S. Don’t miss their brunch, it is truly spectacular!

This renovated castle is well appointed on the lake. Lots of long hall ways with mirrors making it appear more spacious. Breakfast buffet was amazing with carrots and other vegetables to make fresh juice. Our room overlooked the garden courtyard with big closets, a mini bar and desk. There was only a bathtub which made it difficult to wash my hair. However the spa is the best part. It has indoor and outdoor pools, wet and dry saunas and options for massage and other treatments. Staff are very helpful and polite.

This place is one of the best spa hotels we have ever been to. The chateau is just a small part of the whole property with more modern, superbly finished sections including rooms, spa and the pool. There is also Beach Club that is adjacent to the hotel and several restaurants. It is rare to see a perfectly run property but this one is it! The staff are great, friendly and courteous, the breakfast out of this world. If you book, you will be spoiled.

As said, the hotel is great. Beautiful location, really nice and big rooms (new building), beach club beyond description, restaurant quality above expectation. But... two things were really very bad, therefor one year after our stay still this review. First, if things are broken and your guests ask if they can be fixed, don't say yes and then do nothing. Several lights in our room, including the encased ceiling lights in one room, were not working. I asked the first day, the second day, the fourth day. The desk was very apologetic, very helpful, very kind. But the whole week of our stay nothing happened, nothing was fixed, not a new bulb screwed in. Second, one of the reasons for choosing this hotel was the quality and reputation of the restaurant. Since we would be arriving around 18:00-19:00 I made a reservation for the restaurant when booking the hotel. That night was the only time we ate there because for the rest of the week they were fully booked... I think, maybe I'm wrong, that a restaurant that is part of an hotel like this should keep table available for hotel guests. I've stayed in comparable (and better) hotels all over the world and hotel guests were always let into the hotelrestaurant. Last, when checking out we mentioned the three things above. Yes - you have a great hotel, no - you should walk the talk and do your maintenance and no - the restaurant thing. Nice girl behind the desk: "so sorry to hear that, see you!". Do I recommend the hotel? I really don't know...

Falkensteiner Schloßhotel is a hotel with 400 years of history and tradition. We really liked the place - meaning both, the location and the hotel - especially the customer orientedness of staff from the very first contact until the last one. The food was also excellent and I appreciate the super tasty vegan menu prepared for me. Special thanks to Amir, the reataurant manager for his care and professional approach.