Hotel Haus am See
by the TopOfHotel team
Hotel Haus am See is the value play on the Obertraun side — the Lake Hallstatt view is just as good, but it is quieter and the price is far easier to swallow.
Hotel Haus am See is the value play on the Obertraun side — the Lake Hallstatt view is just as good, but it is quieter and the price is far easier to swallow.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
Rooms are clean and well kept. They are not large, but they work fine for two, and each opens onto a private balcony looking out at the lake and the village of Hallstatt across the water. As one review puts it, the view from Obertraun is arguably better than from the town itself, because you can see the entire village mirrored in the middle of the lake. Bathrooms are small but clean and have everything you need. The decor is simple, standard Austrian, nothing fancy — but it is tidy and everything works. A recent review summed it up: small room, very clean, great view, more than worth the price.
Food and amenities
The hotel runs on a self check-in system that some reviewers found convenient and others found unclear at first, so it pays to get in touch before you travel for the code and directions. A small lakeside garden out front is a good spot to relax in the evening. Breakfast is available, but several guests felt it was overpriced for the portion and suggested heading to a cafe in the village instead. The one amenity that stands out: parking here is the easiest of any stay on this list.
Location and getting there
Parking is far simpler than in Hallstatt because Obertraun has no car ban. Obertraun station is close by, with train connections on to Bad Goisern and Bad Ischl. A boat crosses the lake to Hallstatt on a set schedule, taking about 10 to 15 minutes with a scenic ride along the way. The Dachstein Ice Cave is on the Obertraun side too, so you actually reach it more easily here than guests staying in Hallstatt do.
Things to know before booking
The main trade-off is access: reaching Hallstatt itself means a car or the lake boat, which is inconvenient if you are not driving, and the boat runs to a timetable rather than whenever you want it. The rooms run small — comfortable for two, but no more. And while breakfast is on offer, several reviewers found it pricey for what you get and ate in the village instead. None of these are dealbreakers if you have a car, but they are worth weighing before you book.
Our take
Hotel Haus am See suits travelers with a car who want the lake view at a lower price. If you are flexible about taking a car or boat into Hallstatt, this side gives you a view that holds its own, a quieter setting, and a rate that is clearly cheaper — from around $110 a night. The easy parking makes it an especially good fit for families arriving by car.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- The view of Lake Hallstatt from the Obertraun shore is a real selling point — several reviewers say it beats the view you get from inside the village, because you can see the whole town mirrored in the water.
- Rates are noticeably lower than the hotels on the Hallstatt side, starting around $110 a night for the best-value lakefront stay on this list.
- The setting is genuinely quiet, away from the daytripper crush that fills Hallstatt during the day.
- Parking is the easiest of any hotel on this list — Obertraun has no car ban, so there is parking at the hotel and in the village, unlike car-free Hallstatt.
- Rooms open onto a private balcony facing the lake and village, and a small lakeside garden out front is a nice spot to wind down in the evening.
- Getting to Hallstatt itself means a car or the lake boat, which is inconvenient if you are not driving — the boat runs to a schedule rather than on demand.
- Some reviewers note the rooms run small, comfortable for two but no more.
- Breakfast is available but several guests found it overpriced for the portion, and suggest eating at a village cafe instead.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Hallstatt
Day tours, attraction tickets and experiences around Hallstatt — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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Insider Tips
- Contact the hotel before you arrive to get your self check-in code and detailed directions — the self check-in can be confusing the first time without that information in hand.
- The Hallstatt view from Obertraun is at its best in the early morning before 8am, when the low light makes the village reflect off the water and the crowds have not arrived yet.
- Skip the in-house breakfast and walk to a village cafe in Obertraun instead — reviewers found the hotel breakfast pricey for what you get, and parking here is easy so you are not stuck.