Hotel Goldener Hirsch, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Salzburg

Impeccable service, exceeding expectations. Felt super homely without being distant from the staff ! Thank you to the team at Goldener H!

Rating: 7/10 My family and I stayed here in rooms 84 and 85 for two nights in July 2025. Goldener Hirsch has a ton of personality and historical weight, and for the right traveler—especially one who’s spry and unfazed by a few quirks—it offers a memorable, romantic stay in the heart of Salzburg. While our visit was marked by some mechanical hiccups and moments of uneven service, these may well have been one-offs rather than the norm. The charm of the place, paired with surprisingly reasonable prices for a five-star hotel in such a prime location, makes it easy to forgive the imperfections. It’s a property that remembers its past beautifully—and with just a little more consistency, could fully embrace its present. I’d return. Positives: • The location couldn’t be better. Step outside and you’re in the heart of Salzburg’s historic district, minutes from shops, bratwurst vendors, cafés, and more Mozart kitsch than you’ll know what to do with. The river, with its scenic running and biking trail, is just a short stroll away. You’re right in the thick of it, and that’s worth a lot. • The staff were friendly, helpful, and handled the not-insignificant challenge of valet parking in a tightly packed old town with ease. They also loaded up our car with our bags at departure, making the check-out process refreshingly seamless. • The rooms lean hard into their baroque heritage, but not in an oppressive or overdone way. The hotel building dates back to the 1400s, and a recent renovation has smartly layered in comfort and subtle modern upgrades. Think: charming antiques and wooden beams, but also in-bathroom music channels. It’s a vibe—and a surprisingly pleasant one. Negatives: • We were assigned connecting rooms with a shared private foyer—nice in theory. But when we instinctively closed the interior partition door on our way out for the evening, we returned to find that the keypad controlling it had failed. Suddenly, our rooms—and all our belongings—were locked behind a high-tech, non-functional door from which there seemed to be no escape. The front desk staff, increasingly concerned, confessed they might not even have a physical key. After multiple treks up and down to the fourth floor, one staffer made a final, dramatic attempt with an old-fashioned key, warning us that failure might mean spending the night separated from our luggage. Thankfully, he succeeded. Still, the whole thing felt a little too immersive in the “centuries-old” experience. • On our second day, the elevator broke—and never came back. Four flights of stairs became a recurring obstacle course, especially for my elderly mother, who started avoiding trips to the room entirely. One afternoon, while waiting in the lobby, a staff member did offer her a water… but frankly, more care or accommodation would’ve gone a long way. • We gave the hotel restaurant a shot one evening, hoping for a refined Austrian dinner. What we got was underwhelming and overpriced. My cream of mushroom soup was

The place to stay. Service was outstanding. Cudos to Paolo and Amanda at the front desk. Location is choice . The breakfast buffet is fantastic with many choices and the staff there are quick to help. Room AC and bidet worked flawlessly. We had a drink at the bar which has a cool vibe. This was the highlight of our trip through Slovenia, Italy and Austria.