Hotel Stein

Though Salzburg’s hoteliers clearly would prefer that travelers not forget about its rich musical heritage, the fact remains that this is a city with plenty to recommend it in the here and now. Hotel Stein, like much else in this corner of Austria, has deep historical roots — there’s been an inn on this site since the year 1399. And while its present-day exterior blends seamlessly with the rest of Salzburg’s picturesque architecture, what’s inside is a luxury boutique hotel that’s as modern as they come.

The thinking, it seems, is much like that displayed by Italian hoteliers in places like Florence: leave it to the rest of the city to create an atmospheric backdrop, and inside, go wild with contemporary art and design, mixing references to traditional Venetian glass art with modern furniture and wall-sized murals. The result would be eye-popping in Vienna or even Berlin; for Salzburg it’s nothing short of extraordinary.

So, too, is the restaurant, Steinterrasse, a terrace bar and restaurant with an impressive view of old town Salzburg from the height of the seventh floor. Meanwhile LIEBHABEREI, the ground-floor bakery and market, serves up quick, healthy bites (and sips) to guests and locals alike.