photography. Amelie Niederbuchner
There’s something about the Austrian Alps that evokes feelings of nostalgia. Maybe it’s the combination of the region’s mysterious forests and towering mountains or the fact that the beloved ‘Sissi’ movie (and, of course, ‘The Sound of Music’) was filmed around these parts.
Then there are the country’s castles – over a thousand of them. On the peaceful shores of Lake Fuschl, you can find one that looks like something sliced out of a fairytale. After turning down an unassuming, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it winding road, you’ll be greeted with the sight of a 15th Century castle-turned-luxury-lakeside-retreat: Rosewood Schloss Fuschl.
The castle holds a wealth of history within its walls. Originally constructed in 1461 as a hunting lodge for the Prince-Archbishops of Salzburg, Schloss Fuschl served as the backdrop for legendary hunts (that even monks participated in) and court gatherings for over three centuries. It was only in 1947 that its transformation into a luxury hotel began.
Schloss Bar. image. Courtesy of Rosewood Schloss Fuschl
Thankfully, the hotel hasn’t been stripped of this heritage but rather leans into it. In the lobby, there are antique wooden chairs with carved hearts, painted vases and plates, wrought iron chandeliers and a handful of mounted deer antlers overlooking the reception desk, complemented by contemporary accents in the form of sheepskin chairs and a large painting by German artist Georg Baselitz.
The rooms, meanwhile, are flooded with natural light and boast postcard-perfect lake and mountain views. They are filled with all the charms of classic Alpine living: dark parquet floors, cosy furniture in plush woollen fabrics and curated artwork by local artists. Even the mini-bars are aesthetically pleasing with scenes depicting the four seasons – all hand painted by Austrian artist Marie Hartig. With only 98 rooms (including 42 suites and 6 old-school timber chalets located along the lake’s edge), the atmosphere here is intimate and tranquil.
Left Schloss Restaurant. image. Courtesy of Rosewood Schloss Fuschl. Right. Schloss Bar. Photography (right). What The Fox
Because the original architectural elements have been kept in place, there are many charming hidden nooks (where there’s always a great chair to sit on) scattered throughout the hotel. The halls are winding and almost labyrinthine, but if you do get lost, simply enjoy the artwork which, at Rosewood Schloss Fuschl, is all around you: in the corridors, restaurants, bars… everywhere you turn, there’s art. In fact, there are hundreds of (predominantly 17th Century Dutch) paintings, including great classics by Old Masters such as François Boucher, Jacob Marre and Giulio Carpioni – all from the private collection of the Schörghuber family, who have owned the castle since 2001.
image. Courtesy of Rosewood Schloss Fuschl
There’s also Rosewood Schloss Fuschl’s biggest draw: the impossibly turquoise and pristine lake. In fact, it’s one of the clearest lakes in Austria and Rosewood takes full advantage of this proximity to something so special. At the foot of the castle, there’s See Club, a Mediterranean style beach club lined with sun loungers and daybeds. There’s a pontoon for kayaking and paddleboarding and a swimming ladder with direct access to the lake. You can also go on guided fishing excursions (or some forest foraging with an expert herbalist for those who prefer to remain on shore).
If swimming outdoors in the crisp Alpine air might be a little too adventurous for some, there’s also the hotel’s incredible Asaya Spa. At 16,000-square-foot, it has everything: an indoor pool, saunas, a solarium and the most beautiful heated outdoor infinity pool that almost touches the surrounding forest and gives you incredible lake and mountain views as you swim. There’s also the option to do some morning lakeside yoga and sound healing.
left. Schloss Restaurant. Photography. (left) Amelie Niederbuchner. right. image. Courtesy of Rosewood Schloss Fuschl
Dining-wise, there are six restaurants and bars, all embracing regional cuisine, meats and local fish. Standouts include Sissi Tee Salon, where you can tuck into a life-changing Kaiserschmarrn, and the moody and mysterious Schloss Bar (which is accessed via a set of winding stone steps), where you can sip on fantastic cocktails in front of a 15th Century fireplace.
Whether you’re searching for serenity and seclusion or you love nature and/or history, Rosewood Schloss Fuschl is the place you need to be. It exists in its own perfectly peaceful world.
See Club restaurant. image. Courtesy of Rosewood Schloss Fuschl
Discover Rosewood Schloss Fuschl here.
words. J. Bibi Cooper
edit. Huma Humayun
imagery. Courtesy of Rosewood Schloss Fuschl
In the heart of East London, the 
