Motel One Salzburg-Mirabell

Motel One Salzburg-Mirabell is the smart budget choice, set on Elisabethkai on the right bank of the Salzach, a short walk from the Mirabell Gardens and palace that give it its name. The design takes its cue from Mozart and 18th-century music, with trumpet-shaped lights, instrument details and a neon installation in the One Lounge, which serves as living room, coffee house and bar, with leather armchairs, velvet sofas and rustic wooden tables. Outside, a terrace looks over the river to the mountains. Rooms follow the Motel One formula: compact at around 16 square metres, with a quality box-spring bed, a large TV and a granite bathroom with rain shower. Special One rooms add a balcony, and there are accessible rooms with step-free furnishings. Some rooms have river views. A breakfast buffet with organic products and Fairtrade coffee is available, and the hotel holds Green Key sustainability certification.

Location and getting around: the old town is a pleasant walk along the river or across the Makartsteg, and Mozart’s Birthplace on the Getreidegasse is only a few minutes beyond. The main station and the Salzburg Congress are close by, which makes this a convenient base for train travellers, and buses stop at Saint-Julien-Straße nearby. The Kapuzinerberg hill is a short walk for a free view of the city.

Rooms: expect efficient, well-designed rooms rather than space, with hypoallergenic pillows and duvets and free Wi-Fi. Family rooms are available, and children up to 12 stay free in their parents’ room. Balcony rooms are worth the small extra.

Who it suits: budget-minded couples, solo travellers, rail travellers and young families who want a central, good-looking base and plan to spend their days out exploring.

Good to know: breakfast is charged separately and starts early on weekdays. Parking is limited, for a nightly fee, so reserve ahead if you are driving. Pets are welcome, luggage storage is free, and the local city tax is paid at the hotel. Check-in is from mid-afternoon.