Even when it's raining and grey in September this hotel is a pleasure to stay in. The staff are friendly and extremely helpful - Herr Weiss had lots of appropriate suggestions for me - and the food is good. The house is full of lovely wooden furniture, comfortable corners to sit in and a small library to enjoy, while the semi-wild garden is full of surprises. Narrow-gauge Mariazeller trains stop just behind the house so this is a plus for railway freaks. The lovely countryside around the hotel is ideal for both easy and more strenuous hiking, and there are plenty of places of interest nearby (Mariazell, Lilienfeld, Lunz-am-See, Gaming, etc.). Oh, and I had a brilliant massage!