Prime Seats on the Danube

Between the spectacular Schlögener Schlinge in the north and the vineyards of Dürnstein in the south lie hotels, inns, and restaurants in an unparalleled setting: spectacular views to complement your gourmet experience are guaranteed.

CURTAIN UP A view of the scenic landscape, with the Danube as the star


GARDEN HOTEL & WINE ESTATE During summer, guests of Host Pfeffel enjoy the finest perspective on Dürnstein. Come autumn,



when the sun hangs lower in the sky, the vineyards around Dürnstein shimmer with warmer, golden hues, and down in the valley the Danube flows calmly between wooded slopes, the most beautiful time by the river has arrived. Anyone who now steps out of the water in the Penthouse Spa at Gartenhotel Pfeffel and finds complete peace in the spacious relaxation area will enjoy pure relaxation. The vineyards lie before your eyes, the river behind them, and the silhouette of Dürnstein rises on the horizon. Such scenic beauty becomes part of your hotel stay—and, at its best, it continues on your plate and in your wine glass. At Gartenhotel & Weingut Pfeffel, this connection is pursued with particular consistency. The family-run four-star property is situated west of Dürnstein’s historic town center, nestled between vineyards and the Danube. Those who stay here find themselves in the heart of the Wachau yet sufficiently removed from the throngs of day-trippers and riverboat passengers ashore. The property has maximised its hillside setting: rooms and terraces frame unobstructed views of the Danube. Even more spectacular is the vantage point at the summit, where a heated pool flows from the indoor space out into the open air. From the Finnish sauna with its panoramic window, the vista sweeps far across the countryside; there is also a bio-sauna, an infrared zone, a saltwater grotto, and a steam bath.

HOTSPOT New suites and a spa with a panoramic sauna at Pfeffel.



The true star of the show, however, is the wine. After all, Pfeffel is not merely a hotel surrounded by vineyards—it is a winery in its own right. The family cultivates its own vineyards around Dürnstein and produces wines ranging from Grüner Veltliner and Riesling to Smaragd-quality wines, a quality guaranteed by Father Pfeffel’s decades of experience. His daughter Karoline manages the hotel operations. Consequently, the dining experience is closely tied to the region. The culinary theme is: traditional Wachau tavern cuisine meets contemporary and creative preparation. Some of the ingredients come from the estate’s own produce—vegetables, fruits, eggs, and honey, for example. There are also delicacies from the “Wachau goat”; the animals’ barns are within sight. The four-star property has recently elevated its guest quarters. The new “Gourmet Rooms” blend generous floor plans and warm materials with balconies affording breathtaking vistas, while the junior suites offer heightened opulence, including soaring ceilings, expansive bathrooms, and a fabulous panoramic perspective of the Danube.

www.pfeffel.


### at
Travelling further upriver, the landscape becomes more rugged. ###
Heading north, the vineyards yield to denser forests, and the valley narrows. At Schlögen, where the river executes its famous bend, stands the Riverresort Donauschlinge. From the hotel’s dreamy terrace and elegant suites, guests enjoy a direct view of the Danube. Barges and sightseeing boats glide by, and the bike ferry carries cyclists from one bank to the other. The hiking trails of the Donausteig begin practically right outside the hotel’s door. Active guests love to rent a Zille and become captains themselves. Those who prefer a more leisurely pace can book a boat excursion. Guided mountain bike tours and yoga by the water are also offered. After an eventful day, guests return to the panoramic restaurant for a bountiful feast. The Riverresort’s all-inclusive concept provides effortless, regionally focused dining, from breakfast and a midday snack to coffee and a multi-course dinner, all perfectly complemented by fine wines from the resort’s own cellar. During the cooler months, the riverside resort focuses on relaxation with an indoor pool, saunas, a steam room, and a wellness area. Until then, the relaxation lawn, the neighboring marina, a private hammock, and the riverbank ablaze with fall colors beckon you outdoors: this is “the Danube in its purest form” at its most beautiful.
www.donauschlinge.at

RIGHT BY THE RIVER The Riverresort Donauschlinge

A Stay High Above the Danube Valley

SCHLOSSGASTHOF ARTSTETTEN

From an insider’s tip to a trendy gourmet destination in the Nibelungengau: the Schlossgasthof Artstetten is located directly beneath that fairytale-like castle, which made Austrian history as the final resting place of heir to the throne Franz Ferdinand. From the inn’s terrace, the view sweeps across the entire Danube Valley. Yet a delightful day or evening is especially enjoyable in the lovingly designed dining rooms.

DANUBE INN CULTUREMaria Luise Niederleitner is the discovery of the year.

The defining personality of the establishment is Maria Luise Niederleitner. Now in its third generation under her leadership, the landlady herself works in the kitchen. Her signature style: classic Austrian and Waldviertel cuisine. Depending on the season, the menu features game, pasture-raised beef, wild garlic, or Austrian classics like Blutwurstgröstl. These dishes are paired with carefully selected wines from the Wachau, the Kamptal, and the Wagram. This is tavern culture at its finest—a fact that’s also evident in legendary desserts like the famous apricot dumplings, for which some guests make a special trip from Germany. Marie Luise Niederleitner presides over a kind of tavern that is becoming increasingly rare: personally managed, firmly rooted in the region, and sufficiently self-assured to eschew the temptation to reinvent traditional dishes, preferring instead to prepare them fresh and impeccably. Guests who wish to linger may spend the night in the quiet, cosy rooms of this venerable establishment.
www.schlossgasthof.atTERRACES FOR CONNOISSEURS Between Schlögen and Dürnstein, connoisseurs will discover additional exceptional addresses that pair a passion for gastronomy with panoramic vistas.

HOTEL SCHLOSS DÜRNSTEIN
Among the Wachau’s most distinguished hotels, Hotel Schloss Dürnstein commands a perch directly above the Danube. Within its historic walls and antique furnishings, contemporary comfort is offered in elegant rooms and balcony suites. The culinary centerpiece is the castle restaurant with its terrace. The experience is complemented by the laid-back Schloss Greisslerei, offering culinary delights and specialty foods—including options to go. www.schloss.at

HOTEL-RESTAURANT DONAUHOF, EMMERSDORF
Directly across from the Baroque town of Melk lies the Donauhof, the flagship property of the Pichler family of hoteliers. Thanks to its location along the Danube Cycle Path, it is a favorite among active vacationers who appreciate the finer things in life. The restaurant serves Austrian and regional dishes, including game from the family’s own hunt, fish from the Waldviertel, and seasonal Wachau specialties. A first-class wine cellar awaits guests in the vaulted cellar. www.pichler-wachau.at

LANDHOTEL WACHAU – THE PICHLERS’ PLACE TO RELAX
Like the Donauhof and Schloss Luberegg, the Landhotel Wachau in Emmersdorf is also part of the Pichler family’s hotel group. This unpretentious, personally managed vacation hotel offers modern, renovated rooms and straightforward regional cuisine. At Schloss Luberegg, an historic 18th-century country castle, renovated suites are also available for booking. www.pichler-wachau.at

HOTEL RICHARD LÖWENHERZ, DÜRNSTEIN
A 4-star hotel located in a former Poor Clare convent directly on the Danube, featuring historic walls, a courtyard, a garden, and exceptional character. Particularly charming: the large terrace directly overlooking the river—under old chestnut trees, the view stretches across the Danube to the Baroque abbey tower and up to the castle ruins. www.richardloewenherz.at

GASTHOF PRANKL, SPITZThe establishment is distinguished by its historic boatmaster’s house, award-winning cuisine, and a riverside terrace. The kitchen focuses on local ingredients, and in season, fruit, vegetables, and herbs from its own garden are served. Host Martin Prankl personally forages for mushrooms in the fall. The menu ranges from classic Wachau cuisine to more modern, international dishes, complemented by an extensive selection of Wachau wines. Guests may dine in historic dining rooms, in the garden, or on the aforementioned terrace. www.gasthof-prankl.at