I was in Vienna at a conference as was looking for somewhere close by to ski for the weekend. I found Hotel Belvedere on tripadvisor and I am so glad I did!

It only took us 45 mins to get from Vienna Airport into Semmering. It is a small Town but for a weekend that is great as you can walk from the Hotel down to the gondolas.

I am also glad I took the advice to go half board. I think we all put on weight because Karl's 4 course dinners were amazing and great value!

Rooms are basic but big and airy with lots of hot water which is what you need after a day on the slopes.

Skiing is good especially for a beginner like me as you can go from top to bottom on a long blue. Only 5 runs were open when we were there (4 red and one blue) so you might get bored if staying more than a few days. Slopes are also open for night skiing but you need to pay extra.

We will definitely book to go back and stay with the children.

Thank you Hotel Belvedere.

Semmering is the only ski/snowboard area within an hour's drive of Vienna. Also, it is VERY difficult to find on TripAdvisor the hotel's in the proper town right walking from the lifts. Panhaus I think is the only hotel that comes up as in Semmering but in fact thats a 20 minute walk from the lifts and there are many other places. Belvedere we booked no problem one day in advance, was family run by a nice Eastern European family, super simple cheap delicious meals, nice clean basic but very pleasant rooms. A bit on the cold side ... and you must not expect to receive sample shampoo soap, etc. But I really recommend for being close to the slopes - also great that its so close to Vienna but for sure not difficult skiing.

The Hotel Belvedere is a beautiful chalet-like building in the centre of Semmering. I travelled there by train from Vienna (the train journey itself is highly recommended with great views), but would suggest getting a taxi from the train station to the hotel upon arrival in Semmering unless you have no or little luggage as it is quite a steep walk to drag a large case as I did! Once installed, there is a supermarket two doors down from the hotel for those packed lunches that you will no doubt want to take up into the mountains, accessible by the cablecar which is just 3 minutes walk from the hotel.

Staying at the Belvedere felt like being a house- rather than hotel-guest. I had a large, very comfortable, high-ceiling-ed room with flat-screen tv and balcony looking out up into the mountains. The owner met me himself, emerging from the kitchens, since he is also the main chef. I dined in the hotel restaurant on the night that I stayed and the food was very good. The breakfast the following morning comprised a very good and homely spread - no complaints at all!

The "house-guest" experience was finished off by being driven by the owner of the hotel back down to the train station rather than making me take a taxi!

I would definitely stay at the Belvedere again.

What a lovely little hotel on the Semmering!. Only stayed the one night but it was a delightful experience. Nice comfortable big rooms and the food was good.