DavidD

Folks,

As part of my summer '03 trip to Germany and Austria, I'm considering staying in Salzburg's Old Town, perhaps at the Rick Steves-recommended Gasthaus zur Goldenen Ente. If you've stayed here, I'd appreciate your thoughts. Would you return, and why?

Rick's feelings on the place are a bit mixed. In one of his videos, he sings the the praises of the Goldenen Ente, especially its location and restaurant. However, in his 2002 guidebook to Austria, he says its 17 rooms "are modern yet worn and the service is uneven - from friendly to brusque..." What gives?

Any comments on Rick's reflections would be appreciated.

Finally, as an alternative to staying in Salzburg, given the fact that I'll be spending two days and nights in Germany's Bad Reichenhall before heading into Austria, would it preferable to use my time in that part of Germany for a day trip into Salzburg? Or are two days in Salzburg proper warranted? Incidentally, my next stop after Bad Reichenhall and Salzburg would be two or three days in Austria's Halstatt region.

Thank in advance for your consideration.

Operaman

DavidD;
I have not stayed there but it looks like it would be very fun to do so.
They also have a website, just enter the name in search and you should be able to bring it up. I have found all of Rick's ref's to be very reliable.
We stayed at a place in Vienna he had given mixed reviews about and found it to be wonderful. If you are going in July, be prepared for crowds.
Enjoy, it sounds like a great trip.

rex

Yes, a lot of "us" have - - so much so that the concern has been expressed at the risk of the place becoming "Rick-Steves-ized" (over-run by Americans, with a resulting of character).

I was there in 2000 (twice, in fact) and loved it. The owner/manager, Robert is a great deal of the appeal. I never experienced any "poor" service from any of the rest of his (small) staff. Excellent casual restaurant is much of the appeal also. Rooms are NOT particularly special; location is excellent.

Search here and you will find many reports; hopefully some more recent than my own experience.

Best wishes,

Rex
[email protected]

rex

whoops - - left out a word: _loss_ of character...

kerryblue

I stayed there in 1999 and found it quite satisfactory. The room was large, comfortable and well decorated. My only complaint (not unique to this hotel) is that you can hear the hallway sounds through the door, so next time I would bring ear plugs. I would stay there again. Do try the duck dinner as Rick recommends. It was marvelous!

On length of stay, I think two nights in Salzburg giving you one full day to sight see is adequate.

Halstatt was wonderful! Try to get a room with a balcony that opens on to the lake. We stayed at the Gruner Baum. The room itself is two star, but the location and the view cannot be beat.

MGB

Hi we stayed there and totally enjoyed our visit. They helped with parking and tour and dinner was great. Small town feel and great ambiance.

bob_brown

I stayed there. Robert Dürnle is the man who makes the place tick. He is definitely THE man in charge.
You check in at the bar in the restaurant because there is no lobby.
Goldgasse is the street in front of the Gasthotel zur Goldenen Ente, and it is very narrow, but right in the middle of Old Town Salzburg.

Our room was up a couple of floors and comfortable enough.

The restaurant is good, very good for some dishes. The breakfast was quite good and there was plenty to eat.

I hope Herr Dürnle is still there. Otherwise, all comments are off!!

If he still there, take a look at his certificate for winning second place in a restaurant/hotel competition. It is or was posted on the wall opposite the door. If his team was second, I would like very much to experience the service of the team that finished in first place.

I just hope, like the othres, that being Rick Steveserized has not spoiled the place.
I almost regard that award as a danger signal.

ellenob

Stayed there a couple of years ago. Excellent location and reasonable price. My only advice is that you try to get a room in the back. My room was in the front on the second floor and it was noisy from the restaurant below - tables outside on the street in the evening, and in the morning, the clatter of silverware from the kitchen area.

EmilyC

Bad Reichenhall is easily reached from Berchtesgaden in about 30-40 minutes and I would say about 1 hour and 15 minutes from the center of Salzburg. Did you really want to change rooms that many times? I would pick one area and stay there for the whole time. Hallstatt is great but you can drive there in less than 2 hours from Salzburg. You could easily stay in the area of Berchtesgaden or Salzburg and visit all three spots.