In the baroque centre of Salzburg, City of Mozart, in the famous
Getreidegasse stands the Hotel Goldener Hirsch, rich in its tradition of
luxury and combining the romantic magic of the 15th century with the luxury of a
modern five-star Hotel. The Hotel Goldener Hirsch owes its individualistic charm
to its management. Every guest is a friend of the house and is greeted as
such with cordial warmth and is served with pleasure.
HistoryThe Goldener Hirsch Hotel in Salzburg, today meeting-place for the
international society, goes back to 1407: Back then the first inn opened it's
doors. Since 1564 the name Güldener Hirsch appears. The façades
of the old building and the adjoining building, which was acquired in the
Seventies, have been kept simple and unobtrusive. Understatement to the outside,
luxury only behind the bulky old door. The Goldener Hirsch Hotel is just
completely different from all the other world-class hotels, of which it is one.
Very unusual was the rise of the hotel when it was opened in 1948 by the
Walderdorff family. Harriet Walderdorff made her dream, to be hostess of the
international society, come true in an unconventional way. Of course the
building was furnished with functional and modern sanitary equipment, but the
furniture is antique and had been collected with persistence and connoisseurship
by Countess Walderdorff, who had foreseen a trend to be popular only 30 years
later. Guests who expect the closet to the right and the bathroom to the left of
the entrance have to re-think completely, as all rooms are situated and
furnished differently.
The Hotel was in possession of the Walderdorffs until 1970 and their passion
for collecting has marked the atmosphere of the hotel persistently. With every
step you will discover new treasures: here a painting, there a wooden sculpture,
even the bar was made from an antique trunk. Very unique is also the old Refektoriumtisch-
an old table from a refectory in a monasetry- which is very popular with our
regular guests. Some years ago a historical decision was made here: the location
for the new Festival Hall was negotiated at this table, which only documents
again the close connection between the Goldener Hirsch and the Salzburg
Festival. The interaction of the persistently growing international reputation
of the Salzburg Festival and the one of the Goldener Hirsch Hotel has been
proved repeatedly in the Fifties. For an audience with high cultural standards,
it was an additional incentive to find an international first class hotel in the
city of Mozart.
At the same time the Goldener Hirsch Hotel profited from the fact that the
artists performing at the festivals, became regulars. This was as well a
compliment to the cuisine of the hotel's restaurant, which developed to be
renowned not only in Salzburg, but throughout the entire world. The leatherbound
visitors book documents the rise of the "Goldener Hirsch" with it's
collection of autographs that will not find equal anywhere else in the world.
Late Herbert von Karajan's unmistakeable signature was one of the first in
August 1949. And although he was said to be unsteady, he was faithful to the
hotel for 3 decades. Nach 30 Jahren immer noch"- After 30 years still...
Karajan wrote on the last page of the then current book.
In 1976 the hotel came under the ownership of the IMPERIAL HOTELS AUSTRIA AG
and since 1998 is able to take advantage of international reservations and
management network provided by Starwood Hotels & Resorts. Herbert Pöcklhofer,
who assumed the daily management of the hotel from Count Johannes Walderdorff
in 2002, shares his own personal recipe for the unbroken success of the hotel:
The Goldener Hirsch Hotel is the epitome of Salzburg hospitality. For decades,
an experienced and proven team has been continuing this tradition for
international guests and local Salzburg society demanding the highest standards
of quality: Each and every guests feels as though he himself were a friend of
the house.
In spite of its international renown, the Goldener Hirsch - with only 69
Rooms still a rather small house - has managed to retain the character of an
elegant and noble patrician home. This is a fact that the organisers of
executive board meetings and seminars know to appreciate, as well as private
hosts, who prefer the Goldener Hirsch for individually arranged birthday
parties, weddings and anniversary celebrations bringing together an
international and cosmopolitan circle of friends. In addition to these, the
Hotel's Bibliothek, with its state-of-the-art technical equipment, is also the
ideal venue for corporate training sessions, presentations or other similar
functions.
For all those who travel by private car, valet parking is available. The
guests leave the car, with the luggage in front of the hotel and everything,
i.e. parking the car and bringing the bags up to the room, will be taken care
of. The Restaurant Goldener Hirsch Hotel with ist Austrian and Interantional
specialities is the most exclusiv rendez-vous in Salzburg. The excellent cuisine
caters for gouvernment receptions, parties, weddings in castles and other
events. Wherever gourmet services and perfectly trained staff are in need, the
Goldener Hirsch Hotel will live up to it's reputation. The tavern Herzl
has become the place to meet in the city centre. The folkloristic, cosy
atmosphere, together with high quality cuisine attracts not only our hotel
guests, but also quite a few "real" citizens of Salzburg.
The Hotel Goldener Hirsch is located directly in the city centre and
the heart of Salburg's old town, near the house where Mozart was born and close
to the famous Festival Hall and all major sights. Therefore it is the ideal
point to start for cultural activities, sightseeing and shopping tours.
The reputation of the Hotel and the Restaurant Goldener Hirsch are
linked inseperably. The excellent cuisine caters for government receptions,
weddings in castles and other events. Where ever gourmet services and perfectly
trained staff are in need, the Goldener Hirsch Hotel will live up to its
reputation.
The Tavern Hertzi is the more casual Restaurant of the Hotel Goldener
Hirsch and has become the place to meet for locals and all international
clientele. A favourite Meeting Place of many well-known international
personalities is the Green Bar inviting guests to its beautiful covered
inner courtyard for aperitifs. It is a must to try the famous drink of the House
Susanne, a great taste combined with a story of tradition.
