Review of Gartenhotel Weingut Pfeffel, Durnstein, Austria

If the little touches make all the difference in a hotel experience, then the Gartenhotel Pfellel in Durnstein, Austria has a lot to learn. What did they not offer? Decor that matched the price, a location close to something to see and service that equals what we have found everywhere else in Austria.

This is an expensive hotel that tries to justify its very high cost by calling itself a spa. But it fails to achieve the spa experience. Our room looked like the European equivalent of a Wal-Mart clearance, circa 1980. All the furniture was cheap wood, painted pink. The outdoor-grade carpet was cheap and also from 1980.

Granted, the pool and sun deck are very nice—I have never seen a stainless steel pool anywhere before. But the spa never seemed to be actually open when my family and I were there. And the hotel did not allow alcoholic drinks on the pool deck. What gives? This is supposed to be a vacation!

We tried to book for a family of three through booking.com. The system would only allow us to book a minimum of two nights. We had to contact Booking .com to ask them to make a call to the hotel and change the arrangements for us. Then, we did not get an extra towel, housecoat, slippers or even a glass. And for a hotel that calls itself a "weingut," or vineyard, they did not even have wine glasses in the room.

Because we only stayed one night, the hotel charged us a higher rate, and then another 30 euros for our son. Sorry, the really bad fold-out bed and the breakfast were not worth 30 euros. The "mattress" was about an inch thick.

Yes, like all Austrian hotels, it was very clean. The food was good, but not great. And we found out it was over a kilometre outside of the town of Durnstein—there was nothing else around.

We had a much better place in Vienna and in the Salzkammergut, for less money.

So, for the price, the Hotel Weingut Pfeffel is not a good value.

We really lucked out on this hotel. We were travelling day-to-day in Austria and planned to cycle on the Danube but couldn't find anywhere to stay from Melk to Krems. This quiet hotel just outside of Krems in Durnstein was amazing. The hotel was recently renovated in 2010, and while we were in the old wing, the rooms here were renovated and were spotless, comfortable and completely updated.
The wireless internet ran perfectly on a laptop, iphone and ipad using Skype and remote access software, the internet speeds were the fastest we've encountered to date.
We had our own private balcony where we were able to sit and watch the boats go by on the Danube while sipping wine!
The hotel owners and staff were genuinely friendly and helpful. Bikes can be rented for 10 Euro/day and advice given for bike routes to travel was just what we needed.
Our room faced the road but there is a large wall completely screening the very light traffic and the hotel was extremely quite.
Breakfast was included for the special rate of 98 Euro/night (internet). Krems is just 7 minutes away if you need more shopping.
This was a perfect, quiet little place to stop for a couple of days!

A Lovely Hotel looking out over the Danube at Durnstein. The view is fantastic! It is managed entirely by a hard working family who are extremely pleasant and helpful to their guests. Nothing at all was too much bother for them. The restaurant is excellent as were the local wines which they were offered with knowledge and pride.

We stayed in a room with a fantastic view looking out over the Danube and there was absolutely no problem of any traffic noise.

There is a nice Bar, and Spa, Sauna and Beauty Parlour facilities are on the top floor and available to those who want this. I would say that overall this Hotel was good value, with safe, spacious and well lit parking bays at no extra charge.

The public rooms and bedrooms were exceptionally clean. The Hotel is pleasant and immaculate and I would recommend it to anyone.

We spend lots of time in Vienna, and wanted to head out to the country for a bit. Our friends recommended the Wachau, and I found this place over the internet and booked it over the phone from the states. It embodies every element of Austrian hospitality. Americans who love cushy and plush and effusive service may not be happy, but I would argue that very few Austrian accommodations would meet these needs.

We stayed in the main building in a larger room with a balcony overlooking the Danube. The whole place was exceptionally clean and perhaps some Americans would feel it a bit sterile, but our room was big, the common areas large, the restaurant spacious, and the staff helpful. The food was very good the second night, the first night it was a bit blah, but I overheard that the head chef was not working that night, so that would explain it. The wine was superb.

I must tell you that the new spa perched atop the main building is absolutely sublime. The pool is something like a steel infinity pool, with views of Schloss Durnstein, the Danube, and the vineyards. It is hands down the best part of this place. The inside spa area is beautiful... high ceilings, windows galore, lounge chairs and blankets and water and towels and a series of unbelievable saunas that I have never seen before. Aroma therapy, sea salt, UV, high heat/low humidity type saunas... it was so cool to try all these saunas, relax outside on the pool deck, swim, then feel like a million bucks as you stroll down to a heurigen or eat at the restaurant.