Hotel Försterhof in St. Wolfgang, Austria

Our Stay and Honest Review of the Hotel Försterhof Wolfgangsee

There are plenty of places to stay around Wolfgangsee, from apartments and guesthouses to luxury resorts. For this trip, though, we were looking for a proper hotel that offered good value for money and a few extras that would make our stay even more enjoyable. A private beach, breakfast included, comfortable rooms, and a great location were all on our wishlist. After comparing quite a few options, we booked Hotel Försterhof. It seemed to tick all the right boxes without stretching our budget, so we were curious to see whether it would live up to our expectations. Here’s what our stay was really like.

Hotel Försterhof is a family-run, four-star hotel in St. Wolfgang that combines traditional Austrian hospitality with modern comforts. The hotel has welcomed guests for decades, and the property dates back to 1769. Today it continues to be run with a personal approach, reflected in its motto, “Lebe pur, genieße den Tag” (“Live purely, enjoy the day”). Over the years, the property has been modernized while retaining its warm Alpine character, offering comfortable accommodation, a private lakeside beach, wellness facilities, and a relaxed atmosphere for guests exploring Wolfgangsee.

Location and Accessibility

📍Address: Ried 14, 5360 St. Wolfgang, Austria

Hotel Försterhof is in the village of St. Wolfgang, just a short waddle from the shores of Wolfgangsee. We really liked its location because it felt peaceful yet close enough to the lake promenade, restaurants, cafés, shops, and the Schafberg Railway on foot. It gave us the chance to leave the car behind and enjoy exploring St. Wolfgang at our own pace. The hotel also has its own private beach just a few minutes away, which quickly became one of our favorite perks of staying here.

We arrived at Hotel Försterhof by car as part of our Austrian road trip, and getting here was straightforward. The hotel offers free parking directly in front of the building as well as additional parking spaces on the side. During check-in, we received a paper parking permit that had to be displayed inside the car to show that we were hotel guests. Having dedicated parking made our stay much easier, especially in a popular destination like St. Wolfgang, where parking can otherwise be quite limited during the busy season.

Check-In Experience

Our check-in experience was very positive. We arrived around midday, a few minutes before the official check-in time, during one of Austria’s summer heat waves. By the time we waddled from the parking area to the reception, we were definitely feeling the heat. The receptionist immediately made us feel welcome. Before we even started the check-in process, he kindly asked a member of the restaurant staff to bring us two large glasses of ice-cold water, a small gesture we appreciated after being outside in the scorching sun. The rest of the check-in was just as smooth. He explained everything we needed to know about the hotel, including the parking permit, where to find our room, the breakfast, and the private beach. Within a few minutes, we had our room keys and were ready to start our stay.

The reception is open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Standard check-in starts at 4:00 PM, while check-out is until 11:00 AM. If you plan to arrive earlier or need a later departure, it’s worth contacting the hotel in advance. Depending on availability, the staff may be able to accommodate your request or store your luggage while you start exploring St. Wolfgang.

The reception is easy to find as soon as you enter the hotel, turn right, and you’ll arrive at the reception desk. The area has a comfortable couch where you can sit down while waiting or planning your day. We also noticed plenty of brochures and maps with information about St. Wolfgang, Wolfgangsee, and the surrounding attractions, making it easy to pick up ideas for your itinerary. If you need any help, the reception staff are more than happy to assist. They can answer questions about the area and even help you book experiences, such as tickets for the famous Schafberg Railway, making planning your stay even more convenient.

 

Room and Amenities

Hotel Försterhof comprises two connected buildings with 48 guest rooms, offering a range of room categories while maintaining a welcoming, family-run atmosphere. The hotel has three floors, and an elevator makes it easy to reach the upper levels, although stairs are also available. We never felt the hotel was too large or difficult to navigate. Everything was a short walk away, which added to the relaxed feel of our stay. The property was also extensively renovated in 2017, combining modern comforts with its traditional Austrian character.

During our stay, we were assigned room 111 on the first floor. We took the elevator when we first arrived with our backpacks, but after that, we mostly used the stairs. The elevator worked fine, but it was quite slow, so walking up one floor was faster. As you enter the room, you’re greeted by a small entrance area with a large wooden wardrobe. It offered plenty of space for our clothes and backpacks and included lots of hangers, a safe for valuables, bathrobes, and slippers, which was a nice touch considering the hotel’s wellness area. We always appreciate having enough storage space, and that definitely wasn’t an issue here.

The bedroom itself was spacious and centered around a large double bed with bedside tables on both sides. One thing we particularly liked was that there were power sockets right next to the bed, making it easy to charge our phones overnight. There were also bedside lamps, although the light bulbs were positioned inside the lampshades, so the lighting wasn’t the most practical for reading in bed. To the left of the bed stood a TV on top of a small cabinet, which provided a bit of extra storage for our belongings. The room also included a table with two chairs, giving us a comfortable place to plan our itinerary or relax. One small thing we noticed was that the bathroom door felt a little heavy and took more effort to open than expected.

Our room didn’t really have a view. The windows overlooked the roof of the adjacent part of the hotel, so if you’re hoping for mountain or lake views, it’s worth checking the room category before booking.

As for the bed itself, this was probably our biggest downside. The mattress was by far the softest we’ve ever slept on. We usually aren’t particularly picky about mattresses and adapt quite easily, but this one felt noticeably softer than what we’re used to. Of course, mattress firmness is very personal, so what didn’t work for us may be perfectly comfortable for someone else.

Bathroom

The bathroom door was a little heavier than expected, as mentioned, and took a bit more effort to open, but once inside, the bathroom itself felt spacious and well laid out. It featured a toilet, a sink, and a walk-in shower. A basket with complimentary toiletries, including shower gel and other bathroom essentials, was waiting for us, which was a thoughtful touch. We also appreciated the shelf above the sink, as it provided enough space to keep our toiletries organized instead of leaving everything around the sink. There were, however, two small maintenance issues we noticed during our stay. The washbasin tap was a little loose, and the washbasin itself had a small crack. Neither affected our stay in any significant way, but they were details we think are worth mentioning in an honest review and could easily be addressed by the hotel.

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Culinary Experiences

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Breakfast

Breakfast is served daily from 7:30 AM to 10:00 AM in the hotel’s ground-floor restaurant. We usually prefer an earlier breakfast, especially on hiking days when we like to be out on the trails as early as possible, so the 7:30 AM start felt a little late for us. The breakfast is served buffet-style, and we couldn’t think of much that was missing. There was a wide selection of fresh bread and pastries, eggs, cold cuts, cheeses, cereals, yogurt, fresh fruit, vegetables, juices, coffee, tea, and sweet options. One thing we appreciated was the use of regional products, adding a local touch to the breakfast experience. As always, we use scrambled eggs as our personal benchmark when judging a hotel breakfast. Unfortunately, these didn’t quite live up to our expectations. They were rather dry and tasted as though they had been made with powdered eggs rather than freshly prepared ones. Of course, this is just one item on an otherwise varied buffet, but it was the only breakfast option that left us a little disappointed. You also have the option to boil your own egg or make a scrambled or fried one in the pan that’s already there.

One detail we liked was that each room is assigned its own breakfast table, so you don’t have to look for a free seat every morning. On our first morning, our table was already prepared, which was a nice touch. On the second morning, however, it hadn’t been set up yet, and we had to ask a member of staff, who quickly sorted everything out. It was only a small oversight, but overall, we still found the breakfast experience organized, relaxed, and a pleasant way to start each day.

Hotel Restaurant & Bar

Hotel Försterhof also has its own restaurant serving traditional Austrian cuisine with regional and seasonal dishes. Although we didn’t have dinner there during our stay, we did stop by both evenings for a few drinks after returning from our daily adventures. Over the two evenings, we tried a glass of white wine, a beer, an Aperol Spritz, and a gin and tonic. None of the drinks stood out to us. They were prepared quite simply and, considering the prices, we expected a little more. That said, the service was consistently friendly. On our second evening, we decided to sit outside on the terrace overlooking the garden, and the staff happily brought our drinks out to us, which we really appreciated. We also noticed that the hotel has a bar near the entrance. However, during our stay, we never saw it open, so we weren’t able to try it ourselves.

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Facilities and Services

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Lobby

One of the first things we noticed was how spacious the lobby is. The moment you waddle in, you’re welcomed by an open area with plenty of comfortable seating where you can relax, wait for your companions, or take a break after a day of exploring.

Something that caught our attention was a row of electric scooters parked and charging in the lobby area. The hotel offers e-bike and e-scooter rentals for an additional fee, a great option if you want to explore more of the Wolfgangsee region without relying on your car. We also peeked into the adjacent building and appreciated that both parts of the hotel maintained the same welcoming, well-kept atmosphere. There is even a conference room you can book for an event.

Private Beach

Without a doubt, the hotel’s private beach was one of our favorite amenities. While there are plenty of public places around Wolfgangsee where you can swim, having exclusive access to a private lakeside area made the experience feel much more relaxing. The beach is about 300–500 meters from the hotel, and you’ll receive a key at reception to unlock the entrance gate. From there, it’s just a short waddle before you’re standing by the crystal-clear waters of Lake Wolfgang.

The private beach is equipped with everything you need for a comfortable visit. There are sun loungers, umbrellas, changing cabins, and toilet facilities, so you can easily spend a few hours there without needing to return to the hotel. We headed there on our first evening after check-in, found a pair of free sunbeds, and relaxed by the water. The lake was definitely on the chilly side, but after a hot summer day, it was exactly the refreshment we needed. Access to the private beach is included with your stay and is available throughout the hotel’s operating season.

Other Facilities & Services

Besides the amenities we’ve already mentioned, the hotel offers several additional services that can make your stay even more comfortable:

• Private beach with sun loungers, umbrellas, changing cabins, and toilet facilities.
• E-bike rental available directly at the hotel for exploring the Wolfgangsee region.
• E-scooter rental is perfect if you prefer an easier way to get around the village.
• Free, lockable bicycle garage with an e-bike charging station for guests bringing their own bikes.
• Free Wi-Fi throughout the entire hotel.
• Wellness area with a sauna and relaxation facilities.
• Massage treatments can be arranged on request.
• Pet-friendly rooms are available for an additional fee, and there is even a separate breakfast room for guests traveling with dogs.
• Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free breakfast options are available if requested in advance or at check-in.
• Baby cots and extra blankets are available upon request.
• Fans in the rooms for warmer summer days (the hotel does not have air conditioning).
• Mini fridges can be added to the room on request for an additional charge.

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Value For Money

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For our stay at Hotel Försterhof from 27 June to 29 June, 2026, we paid €388 for two people, including breakfast and free parking. Considering the location in the heart of St. Wolfgang, access to the hotel’s private beach, free parking, breakfast, and the overall facilities, we found the price fair and reasonable.

Compared to many other hotels around Wolfgangsee, accommodation prices can quickly climb to much higher levels, especially during the summer season. While Hotel Försterhof isn’t the cheapest option in the area, we felt it offered good overall value for money thanks to its convenient location, included amenities, and the added benefits that made our stay more enjoyable.

All Ratings

Category	Rating
Location and Accessibility	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Cleanliness	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Comfort	⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Staff and Service	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Value for Money	⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Dining and Food Quality	⭐⭐☆☆☆
Amenities	⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Check-In/Check-Out	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
WiFi and Connectivity	⭐☆☆☆☆
Overall Experience	⭐⭐⭐☆☆

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Official Penguin Rating

(2.5/5 Penguin Stars)

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