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Tens of thousands of lakes, valleys, and peaks create natural settings like no other in the Austrian Alps. Charming, historic villages only add to the allure, and we’ve been hooked on the major destinations and the hidden gems for years.
The place we keep coming back to is the Arabella Jagdhof Resort am Fuschlsee, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel just a few kilometers from Salzburg. This special place sits on a hill just above idyllic Lake Fuschl in the town of Hof Bei Salzburg.
We found it by accident – when we were searching for a place to stay for Munich’s Oktoberfest in 2017, we simply couldn’t find anywhere affordable. Our solution was to drive an hour and a half to a different country, because why not check off another city and country from our list if we could? We wanted a Marriott Bonvoy property, and this one looked sufficient.
What was originally supposed to be a semi-convenient stop turned out to be one of our favorite resorts, and we have returned to it numerous times. The Arabella, as we call it, embodies everything about nature and wellness in the Austrian Alps, and it’s our go-to place for relaxation. Therefore, we are more than pleased to give you our full review, based on many trips to this special place.
Also Read: The Best European Christmas Markets to Visit This Winter
Quick Summary: What to Know About Arabella Jagdhof Resort, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
- Boutique hotel part of Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio, meaning it retains its distinct local identity while upholding some of Marriott’s most important standards
- Casual but upscale atmosphere with a mountain lodge theme, appropriate for most types of travelers, including families
- For an ultra-luxe alternative, consider its sister property, the Rosewood Schloss Fuschl – it’s a centuries-old castle just down the road and directly on the bank of the lake, and we stayed here when it was under the Luxury Collection brand
- Quiet and peaceful location just 25 minutes from downtown Salzburg
- Big focus on wellness with a calm indoor pool, a free-access spa area with saunas and steam rooms, and an extensive spa treatment menu
- Most rooms have lake views and balconies
- Three restaurants serving some of the best food we’ve had in Austria, including trout from their own fishery on Lake Fuschl
- Summertime activities like boating, paddle boarding, and swimming; wintertime skiing and snowboarding nearby
Booking & Reservations: When to Visit and How to Get a Good Deal
There isn’t necessarily a bad time to visit The Arabella Jagdhof, and you’ll find relatively consistent rates throughout the year. There may be a small premium to pay during the summer and winter high seasons – the latter being popular for skiers.
One of the reasons we love this place is that it’s basically an all-season destination. In the summer, you can swim in and boat on Lake Fuschl, and hike around the alpine trails at your doorstep. In the spring, colors blanket the mountains that are still capped with snow. And winter brings the quaint Christmas markets that, in our opinion, are some of the best in Europe.
We book through Marriott Bonvoy to ensure we get our elite status benefits, points, and any special rates we qualify for (like the Business Amex discount). We also really like using points here, as the value is quite good, especially for free night certificates.
Location and Setting of Arabella Jagdhof Resort Fuschlsee
The Arabella is located in a region called the Salzkammergut, which is a mouthful to say, but basically describes the area of hills, mountains, and lakes around Salzburg. It’s less than a 30-minute drive from the city and its airport to The Arabella, which sits right off of the main road connecting the villages of Hof bei Salzburg and Fuschl am See.
It’s a few hundred feet above the shores of Lake Fuschl, giving it sweeping views from above of the mesmerizing azure water, and the peaks that surround it. It’s not hard to stroll down and walk the path around the banks. That’s also how you can get to its sister property, the Rosewood Schloss Fuschl, which occupies a centuries-old castle on the lake.
As close as you may be to a major Austrian city here, it is very much a quiet, peaceful countryside. Don’t miss the chance to take a quick stroll through the nearby villages, especially Fuschl am See and St. Gilgen. The Instagram-famous town of Hallstatt is an easy (and scenic) drive away, too. Of course, the old town of Salzburg is not to be missed.
The most convenient way to get to The Arabella is by flying or taking the train to Salzburg, but that’s not the only option. Munich, which has flights from around the world, is less than two hours away by car or train. The Austrian capital of Vienna is about three hours away. A car is handy in this area, but not absolutely required if you don’t want to explore much – there is a local bus and taxis available.
Checking In at The Arabella Jagdhof
Guests will be pleased to find that parking is free at The Arabella Jagdhof, with plenty of open-air spots and a small underground garage. Electric car charging is also available. You may even be lucky enough to witness one of the helicopter parking spaces in use – there is a helipad right there out front!
We always try to arrive in the morning, even though our room probably won’t be ready yet. It’s the perfect opportunity to store your bags and relax at the wonderful pool and spa. We also find that the room is usually ready early anyway, and the front desk will call you to inform you of that.
The lobby is designed to feel like a traditional mountain lodge. A glass breezeway takes you to the building where most of the rooms are found, as well as the pool and spa, and it will give you a glimpse of the views behind. You can go back there to walk around the golf course trails, or to find a spot to admire the panorama.
Rooms & Suites at Arabella Jagdhof
There’s a wide variety to choose from at glance when making your reservation, but the rooms aren’t all that different at The Arabella. It mainly comes down to some size variation and view.
It’s easy to tell which categories are more “premium” based on their names: Classic, Nature, Comfort, Deluxe, and Superior, for example. They are essentially all designed in the same way, especially after a recent renovation. They feel like modern, luxury mountain cabins.
The more premium a category is, the better the view of the lake. That’s at least what we’ve found. Rooms with balconies and extra interior space are clearly noted, and it is certainly nice to have that outdoor space. We also find that it doesn’t really cost that much extra to get a view, a balcony, or larger space, so it’s definitely worth considering.
Then, there are Family Rooms and Suites. The one we stayed in was a duplex, with a bedroom upstairs and a pullout sofa downstairs. It was beautiful! The Arabella Suite, which serves as the top category, even has a rooftop terrace that overlooks the lake. Again, it’s really not that much more expensive, so if you are looking for a big upgrade, it’s worth it!
This hotel, like others in Austria and surrounding countries, will put two smaller duvet blankets on the bed – one for each person – rather than just make it with a big one. We actually like this setup, but we’ve heard that it bothers some people. They also only leave one pillow per person, so we proactively ask for extra.
Finally, we used to make it a habit to specifically ask for a room in Building 3. It always had the most updated rooms, but that seems to have changed after the recent renovation, because we had a lovely stay in Building 2 the last time we were there in a very modern room. However, Building 3 gives you easiest access to the pool, spa, and underground parking, so it’s still a nice place to be.
Arabella Jagdhof Pool & Spa Experience
This is one of the main reasons we come to The Arabella Jagdhof. The indoor pool and expansive wellness area are the icing on the cake when combined with the stunning setting, beautiful rooms, and great dining. We reserve, at a minimum, one full day to simply relax here.
Your room will have a unique backpack that you can take to the pool and spa, along with towels and robes. Ask for spa slippers at the front desk. You’ll find that everyone wears robes and slippers to the wellness area, including through the hallways and lobby to get there.
In the back corner of Building 3, you will find a glass-walled indoor pool area. It’s surrounded by comfortable loungers and couches, and the water is the perfect temperature. There’s more seating outside for days with nice weather, although you can’t really see the lake from here.
There is also a small children’s pool on one side, and the main pool has a little square with jets and seating. To be honest, we wish they would put a hot tub somewhere, but we’re not complaining!
Just outside the pool, beside the spa desk, is the wellness area. This is a large, peaceful room with saunas, a steam room, UV light therapy, and both indoor and outdoor relaxation areas. It also has a cold-water foot pool and several types of showers.
We could spend the whole day swimming, using the wellness amenities, and relaxing on lounge chairs, alternating for hours. In fact, we seem to get the most vacation writing done on this cycle! There is free hot and cold water and all kinds of tea to enjoy during the day, as well as fruits. We usually grab a dessert from the lobby café or a sandwich from the fishery to hold us over until dinner.
Dining at Arabella Jagdhof
The food is the cherry on top at this resort. There’s a traditional Austrian steakhouse, a more formal restaurant, and a casual bar with very tasty dishes as well. We rarely go out to dine anywhere else, as the food is just so good.
Breakfast is free for most guests and consists of a large buffet. You’ll find all the usual breakfast foods, plus smoked trout from the lake, which is a must-try. You can take a table inside the cozy lodge-style dining room or on the large terrace overlooking the lake and mountains.
For lunch, the traditional Austrian restaurant, called Wirtshaus Cervus (or just “Cervus”) is the main option. The lunch menu is similar to the dinner menu – but do save room for the evening, as the food is exceptional.
We usually do a lake fish starter, with the catches of the day served in different ways. Our favorite main courses are Austria’s famous wiener schnitzel, local steaks and game, spaetzle noodles, and more. The traditional decor, a good glass of Austrian wine, and a dessert or two complement the flavors very nicely.
On select nights of the week, Gourmet Restaurant Fuxbau is also an option. This fine dining experience combines French and Austrian cuisines. We’ve tried it and the food is fantastic, but we actually prefer Cervus.
The final option is the Halali Bar, which is a more casual option with Mediterranean dishes and creative cocktails. Halali Bar is also a lunch option on the days that Cervus is not.
Resort Activities & Things to Do Around Fuschlsee
Although we spend a lot of our time at the pool and spa, there is so much to do in the Salzkammergut region. Having a car is a great way to see it all from this resort, but you can also take public transportation or have pickup service from tours and activities.
Importantly, don’t miss the chance to see the beautiful, old city of Salzburg. It’s barely 20 minutes away and very walkable. We park in the Raiffeisen garage and cross one of the bridges over the river to reach the historic center, where Mozart was born, and you can even tour the house where he was born.
If it’s Christmas season, come back to this part of town in the evening. Beautiful lights and decorations blanket the city and the large Christmas market is full of hot wine and tasty treats.
If it’s summertime, you must enjoy the activities of Lake Fuschl. There’s a nice little swimming beach on the north side, while the south shore has the little village of Fuschl am See, where you can rent a small electric boat. You can also fish, paddle board, and hike around the electric blue waters of this lake.
Some more ideas for the region:
- Tour Hallstatt – Perhaps the most famous of little Austrian villages, with a picturesque setting on a lake. You can drive there on your own, take a bus, or join a guided tour.
- Sound of Music Sightseeing – You may recall that this famous movie took place in the Salzburg region, and it really was filmed here. You can easily find the big filming sites (like Mirabell Gardens) by searching online, or take a Sound of Music tour.
- Zwöfelhorn Cable Car – Soar high above the neighboring lake of Wolfgangsee for magnificent views of the lakes and surrounding mountains, plus enjoy a network of hiking trails up there.
- Christmas Festivities – The Salzburg Christmas Markets, as mentioned above, are not the only way to celebrate the holiday season. We highly recommend going over to St. Gilgen, St. Wolfgang, and Strobl to enjoy their tiny markets and beautiful village decorations. There’s even a nighttime boat cruise across the lake to see them all.
Final Thoughts: The Verdict on Arabella Jagdhof Resort am Fuschlsee, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
If it isn’t clear, the Arabella Jagdhof Resort am Fuschlsee gets a twenty out of ten from us. They don’t sponsor us – we just truly love this place. We are so glad to see it back in the Marriott portfolio too!
You just can’t beat the close proximity to Salzburg, placement in quiet and pristine nature, perfect execution of ambiance, and fair pricing. This is a place for roaming, relaxing, and any combination. Amazing food and views are extras that set it apart even further.
While we can’t wait to try the Rosewood Schloss Fuschl down the hill, where we stayed before the big renovation when it was a Luxury Collection, we will always come back to the Arabella. We’ll continue to update this review as we go back, so check back in soon!
