This trip was a gift from me to my travel companion. So, keep that in mind when I keep saying: this is so not me. Not my scene, not my usual getaway. But here we are.

Bad Ischl had been on my list for a while. If it was good enough for the Emperor’s summer retreat, maybe it could be right for me too. Funny enough, I wasn’t even looking for a trip here. I was browsing hotel options in Amsterdam when I stumbled upon a Secret Escapes offer for Bad Ischl. It seemed like a great birthday present—and just quirky enough to work.

So here we go: 24 hours in the spa town of Bad Ischl in the Salzkammergut region. (Doesn’t “spa town” sound weird in English?)

Lunch at the k.u.k. Hofwirt zu Ischl

**k.u.k. Hofwirt zu Ischl**

Salad with grilled chicken and a big bread basket.

We started with lunch at k.u.k. Hofwirt zu Ischl—and it was absolutely delicious. If you plan on going, definitely make a reservation. We were lucky to snag a spot at a shared table for just one hour, but the place was completely booked.

Exploring Town – No Plan Needed

After lunch, we just wandered. No plan, and honestly, none is needed. The town is compact, charming, and entirely walkable. You’ll naturally circle around a few times, but you won’t mind. The architecture is a real treat—from 19th-century historism buildings like Villa Seilern (right across from our hotel) to the Trinkhalle, a perfect example of classical design.

My personal favorites? The “unknown” houses—just everyday homes with character, details, and a lived-in beauty.

Coffee at Café Zauner

Of course, we had to stop at the famous **Zauner Café**. I was still too full for one of their legendary pastries, so I stuck to coffee. My friend went for a local specialty—coffee with a shot of apricot liqueur. Sounds odd, but it was surprisingly good. Sadly, it was ordered with regular milk, which I can't handle—but oat milk is widely available, a good sign for Austria’s tourist-friendliness (or progressiveness?).

Hotel Time – Grand Elisabeth Hotel

We stayed at the newly opened Grand Elisabeth Hotel, which had launched just two days before our arrival. I grabbed a solid deal on Secret Escapes (still available, though slightly pricier now—still worth it!).

**The package included:**
Standard double room
Breakfast buffet
Welcome drink
€20 restaurant voucher
Daily spa and wellness area access
Daily fitness room access
Salzkammergut WinterCard

The design? Gorgeous. The bed and pillows? Super comfy. And the chocolates in the room? A personal highlight. The toilet is separated from the shower (rare and welcome!), and amenities included everything from bathrobes and slippers to a Nespresso machine and tea setup. And hey, there are sockets on both sides of the bed!

Wellness? Not My Thing... But I Tried

Here’s the thing—I’m not a spa person. I don’t know what to do in pools, hot tubs confuse me, and I don’t enjoy sitting in extreme heat. But my travel buddy *lives* for it, so I tagged along.
I made it 10 minutes in the pool, 6 (okay, almost 10) in the sauna. But I will say—it was beautifully designed. Comfy loungers, privacy curtains, and surprisingly good tea in the spa area. For what it’s worth, I enjoyed it more than expected.

Room for Improvement

As with any new opening, there were a few hiccups. The glass in our room was chipped, some towels had makeup stains, and the bedsheets—while comfy—held onto fluff and hairs a little too well. A small hole in the wall was awkwardly hidden behind a picture frame. The restaurant was also closed during our stay, both in the evening and the following day at lunch, so we couldn’t use our voucher. Growing pains, I assume. But the staff were friendly throughout.

Breakfast: Worth Waking Up For

I never eat breakfast—except when it’s included in a room rate. (Mornings are just hard, okay?) But this buffet? Exceptional. Best I’ve ever seen, hands down. Everything was there. Even a cappuccino option with oat milk at the self-serve machine.

The restaurant itself is also beautifully styled—modern, cozy, and thoughtfully designed.

The Next Morning – More Wandering, More Coffee

Instead of visiting the Kaiservilla (too obvious), we hoped to check out the Marmorschlössl—but it doesn’t open until May. So we opted for another scenic stroll through town and landed at Zweitwohnsitz Café Boutique.

It’s a newer place, beautifully decorated with vintage flair. The coffee was delicious, and I’m still sad I couldn’t try the cakes—still too full from that epic breakfast. Everything had those little thoughtful touches I love.

Final Thoughts

Bad Ischl is wonderfully idyllic. I was especially charmed by the two old phone booths turned into free book exchange libraries—such a small but lovely touch. This place really felt like a vacation, and I finally get why people keep telling me how beautiful Austria is. Even the drive through the Salzkammergut is enough to make you sigh in contentment.