Hotel Goldgasse

From Salzburg you might expect wedding-cake opulence and a relentless focus on opera. So when a hotel like Hotel Goldgasse challenges your expectations with a healthy dose of modern design, it’s a welcome surprise. A central Old Town location on the south bank of the Salzach has much to do with the hotel’s appeal, barely a stone’s throw from the university and the Baroque cathedral. Goldgasse’s public spaces and guestrooms retain some period ambience, clad in classic stucco and antique stone flooring. On the ground floor, the hyper-regional Gasthof Goldgasse preserves the essence of a traditional Austrian inn, down to the knots in the ceiling beams and the wine list bursting with national pride. You’ll get a sense of the building’s heritage in the copper tableware; these Kupferpfandl’n reflect the livelihood of the skilled coppersmiths who once ran a workshop here. Be sure to try the city’s famed specialty, Salzburger Nockerl: golden-brown peaked dumplings crowned with powdered sugar.

Oversize, vivid prints cover swaths of wallspace, but also pop up in unusual spots — ceilings, closet exteriors — with overt reference to the Salzburg of yore, and particularly its century-old Festival. White and off-white predominate, the better to sustain the brightness and evenness of the light, imparting an unmistakably clean and orderly Austrian feel. Small touches of humor go a long way here: the flatscreens, for instance, come pre-loaded with The Sound of Music, and Smeg fridges (crammed with snacks) add a retro wink. Salzburg oak and marble highlights hint at more traditional luxury, especially in the bathrooms, which come with vessel sinks and natural bath amenities. The best views accompany the suites, including one with a private rooftop terrace, a suitable staging ground for each day’s exploration (Herr Mozart’s birthplace is just a few blocks away). In any case, no one would fault you for staring at this gorgeous picturebook of a town.