The Falkensteiner Schloss Hotel in Velden directly on the shores of the Wörthersee can look back at a very long and interesting history. Its roots dating back nearly 500 years, it has been a hotel since the late 1800s. In more recent times it was owned by Gunter Sachs, since 2012 it is part of the Falkensteiner hotels.
The hotel has 104 rooms, some are located in the castle but most are located in the extension wings on the backyard of the castle. Underneath the garden is a large parking garage and it is frequently visited by supercar owners and clubs. But also for those without a car Velden is within easy reach via airports in Klagenfurt, Ljubljana and Graz.
We stayed in room 350, a superior room in the new wing that was added 10 years ago. The room has a spacious marble bathroom with separate toilet, separate shower and bathtub. It is spacious and features a (fake) fireplace, flat screen tv, sitting area and large and super comfortable double bed.
The style is modern with an American twist – this is thanks to the former owner: US hotel chain Capella that reopened the hotel in 2007. Overall the room is nice and luxurious but the design can do with an update.
The hotel features three restaurants – two fine dining restaurants (Bartholomaus and Schlossstein) and the lakeside restaurant (Seespitz) which is only open in Summer. We tried both Seespitz and Bartholomeus. Both offer indoor and outdoor dining with views of the lake. Seespitz has a large open area directly on lake level, where Bartholomaus is more intimate and located on the first floor. The lobby bar is located directly near the entrance of the castle. The service and drinks selection is great but the seating could be a bit nicer.
The Acquapura Spa offers a large indoor and outdoor pool, several treatment rooms and a range of sauna and steam baths which are open all year long. There is also a well equipped gym and some shops.
My personal highlight of the Falkensteiner Schlosshotel Velden is the beachclub which is located directly on the shores of the Wörthersee. It offers plenty of sun loungers, a heated pool, cabanas and direct access to the lake. The dressing rooms are modern and clean and the staff is very alert and friendly. They serve drinks and snacks from the beachclub bar as well as from the adjacent restaurant Seespitz. Relaxing, swimming, eating and drinking at the beach club the days just flew by and the beach club alone is a reason to come back to the Schlosshotel. It opens every year in May and stays open until mid September.
Overall the Schlosshotel Velden is a great place to unwind at the Spa or beach club. The rooms are well equipped and comfortable but a small design touch up would take them to a higher level. The choice of restaurants is nice and the food is very good. The service throughout the hotel is very attentive and friendly. The beach club is unique in the region and I’m sure I will come back!
