Lake Wörthersee lies in the southern Austrian state of Carinthia. It’s the warmest of the Alpine lakes stretching 16.5 km with a depth of 85m edged with villages and exclusive mansions, forests lacing the guardian mountains and leisure cruisers crossing it. In the summer it’s a main destination as a bathing lake. But it’s not the only attraction in the area. On its western shore, standing regal and majestic is a castle, conspicuous by its grandeur, presidential presence and distinctive ochre-coloured exterior.
Falkensteiner Schlosshotel dates back to the late 16th century when it was built as a Renaissance castle. With tourism emerging on the Carinthian lakes in the late 19th century, Velden Castle was rebuilt in a Neo-Renaissance style and opened as a hotel in 1890. It became popular with celebrities and royalty and a backdrop for numerous film productions. Today it stands as a historic emblem in the heart of Velden surrounded by symmetrical and immaculately landscaped gardens while enjoying panoramic views over Lake Wörthersee with the mountains as a backdrop. Modern architecture has blended with historical grandeur to create a luxury resort.
Inside, wide corridors decorated with art works and sculptures lead to floors accommodating 105 elegant rooms and suites. The variety of room categories range from Superior Rooms to the expansive Infinity Suite. On one side there are five castle suites, each with their own character such as the Romantic Suite with a roof terrace and sauna and the Rose Garden Suite which extends over two floors with a second bedroom and views of the roses below. In the modern extension the Superior Junior Suites are styled with an elegant living wall dividing the lounge area from the bedroom and benefit from the ultra-modern touch panel controls for the modern amenities. The marble bathrooms are light and airy, flaunting an inviting bathtub positioned to soak up panoramic views and enviable views of the castle, garden or lake. The ultimate guestroom is the exclusive infinity accommodation of over 300 sq. m of living space with two bedrooms, ensuite bathrooms and living rooms.
Breakfast was very impressive with a great selection of breads, all labelled amidst its vast buffet. Healthy options were plentiful with a good choice of a la carte items. The Salons Restaurant & Atelier was refined dining at its best, serving multi-course menus with efficient, friendly service. All dishes use fresh local ingredients and created with international flavour combined with Austrian tradition. Rotating art exhibitions are an added feature as are the views from its first-floor location looking out over the lake. Aim for a table on the terrace for a fantastic view. And with an inhouse jeweller, you could splash out for a special occasion with their exclusive “Diamond for Dessert” package which includes a 7-course dinner menu tailored to guests’ wishes accompanied with a dazzling one-carat Triple X quality diamond for the dessert. This memorable, glittering affair is a mere £14,275 and served in any of a choice of settings, from outdoors in the the Rose Garden to the Chef’s Table in the kitchen, a private room in the spa (in bathrobes if it suits) or on a sunset cruise on Lake Wörthersee aboard the hotel’s luxury motor yacht.
Pouring a wide choice of beverages, The Schlossbar Charly Walker is excellent for cocktails, snacks and night-caps, occasionally accompanied by live music, its dark interior setting the scene for its thematic ambiance. With a wealth of knowledge on local and regional wines the hotel’s sommelier Markus Gladitsch offers guided tastings. Closer to the water’s edge, slow food sharing & tasting menus are served at the award-winning Seespitz restaurant, which holds 2 Gault Millau toques and 2 Falstaff forks. SeeSpitz Restaurant opens to the fresh air and outdoor elements in the warm months. It served dishes such as Lentils Taco, Snails from Krumpendorf, Karntner Kasnudeln (Potato & Curd Cheese Chives Butter Radishes), or Mochi Style Rib Eye Steak Dry Aged with Chives, Spicy Teriyaki, Lake Char with Honey Miso, Sesame Cucumber Tsukumone followed by and highly recommended Ovomaltine, (a dessert smothered in Salted Caramel). And just steps away is the beach club with its chic and sophisticated style with cream loungers and cabanas which all face the lake and swimming pool. This is the fashionable domain attracting the “in” crowd.
The 3.600 m² Acquapura lake Spa has relaxation at its heart with loungers around every corner, a gemstone steam room, saunas of various types, pools inside and out, a range of treatments and even a spa cinema to calm the mind. Do schedule the spacious Finnish sauna with the Augfuss Master performing his theatre complete with fan, towel and aromas of selected essential oils. It’s hot, but invigorating.
With such a refined location, it was hard to be tempted to explore elsewhere but the hotel offered local experiences which only enhanced this Austrian escape. A stroll along the promenade, shopping in boutiques, passing pavement cafes laden with sweet treats with happy conversations. Travellers arrived from boat trips in front of the hotel while walkers follow trails opening to lush alpine meadows. Alternatively the hotel offered guided e-bikes tours (Bärenbikes are designed and manufactured in Austria), along the Drau cycle path around the lake or to Pörtschach, passing fellow bikers along quiet roads, peeping into village life to an area of beauty amidst the forested area with picnicking families and Nordic walkers. Other activities on the lake include wakeboarding, stand-up paddling and sailing. There was also a day to explore the historic alleyways of Klagenfurt, capital city of the southern Austrian province of Carinthia and a visit to the Carinthian Museum of Modern Art or Mythos Edelstein Kranzelbinder in Pörtschach with its range of fossils, minerals and gemstones that keep history alive.
Another experience was the boat trip around the lake in the motor cruiser with Captain Robert who was keen to point out the millionaire homes, the modern designs rubbing shoulders with the traditional Austrian architecture, at the same time highlighting the tranquility of the region. With many restaurants bordering its shores, lunch at Südsee by Kirstin and Hubert Wallner was chic and stylish with a bistro atmosphere, serving Austrian-Mediterranean cuisine. Delicate designs added to the aesthetic of each course, an art form, too good to eat. But we did – colourful creations full of exquisite flavours.
The Falkensteiner Schlosshotel Velden stands as a testament to the harmonious blend of historical grandeur and contemporary luxury. It is a member of “The Leading Hotels of the World” and has received numerous accolades, including two Michelin Keys and recognition for its exceptional spa and culinary offerings. The hotel’s rich history continues to attract guests. In the past it has welcomed Ingrid Bergmann, Omar Sharif and Bing Crosby and today Formula 1’s Red Bull’s guests choose this as a place to stay during the event. Modern elegance, refined and relaxed. This is a place to unwind and give in to luxury wellness in an Austrian castle. And why not listen to Brahm’s concert for violin 77 as this was the region where it was composed.
Other Places to dine
Lunch at Landhaushof in Klagenfurt– traditional Carinthian cuisine serived in the same building that houses the Carinthian State Parliament, an impressive post-medieval urban building
The restaurant in Velden Casino
5-star Falkensteiner Schlosshotel Velden is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World
Book online at https://www.falkensteiner.com/en/schlosshotel-velden or https://www.falkensteiner.com/en
Double Room from €360 per night based on 2 adults sharing, includes breakfast (low season)
Getting there:
Flights, twice-weekly from Stansted to Klagenfurt, (the nearest airport 2 hours, 05 mins flying time) with Ryanair and a 25-minute transfer
Ljubljana (Slovenia) from Gatwick with Easyjet or Heathrow with BA – one-hour transfer to Velden
Return flights to Klagenfurt (20km from the hotel) from London Heathrow with Austrian Airlines start at £169pp.
https://www.visitcarinthia.at/destinations/summer/woerthersee/
https://www.woerthersee.com/en/
All images courtesy of and copyright FMTG
