Property
Salzburg is the kind of town that is often overlooked. Visitors to Austria may opt only to stop in Vienna – and they are missing out. Salzburg is a great city for kids. Medieval fortresses, horse-drawn fiakers and Mozart-inspired chocolate will excite children of all ages. The Sheraton Salzburg is a large hotel close to the Altstadt but out of the hustle and bustle of the city proper. And the staff are great with kids. The lovely woman who checked us in even happily entertained my son after he barfed all over the reception desk while we were checking in.

Location
The hotel is just across the Salzach River from the Altstadt. A quick walk takes you to the start of perilous hike up to the Hohensalzburg (or to the less exhausting tram ride).

Sleeps
Up to 4, with cribs and rollaways available.

Highlights
Yes, the hills are alive with the sound of music. But Salzburg has much more to offer — there really is a little something for everyone. Mozart’s birth house, the Altstadt and the Mirabell gardens are all worth a trip. In addition, Salzburg is a very dog-friendly town. During a visit to an ice cream shop, my son was delighted to see a Saint Bernard seated at a table enjoying his own icy treat.

Good to know
Salzburg is more of a backpack kind of town – especially if you are going to walk up to the Hohensalzburg, the fortress above the city. Travel strollers don’t do well on all of those crazy steps. But strollers are necessary at any museums. If you wander in with the backpack, the staff will inform you that “wearing” your child is not allowed. We found our convertible stroller to be well worth its price here.

Contact
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton

Written by Kayt Sukel

Property
A family resort with the emphasis firmly placed on “family,” this all-inclusive hotel is 100% focused on meeting the needs of families vacationing with young children.

Location
The gorgeous mountains and lake in Zell Am See make the area a popular resort destination in both summer and winter. The skiing is said to be superb (we were not there during ski season), and the beautiful hiking and fabulous lake activities make the summer an equally great time to visit. This is where the locals vacation, always a good sign that the place is special!

Sleeps
3-8 in a variety of thoughtfully designed family suites

Highlights
If you’re looking for a true vacation for every member of your family, this place may be just the ticket. Thoughtful touches, from baby food freely available on the dining room buffet to potty seats hanging beside each and every toilet, show just how much this establishment understands and appreciates its youngest guests. The food is better than many all-inclusives and the accommodations, while not the height of luxury, are perfectly suited to families of all sizes.

Good to know
Visiting Zell Am See is unfortunately not a simple fly-in, fly-out proposition. The area is accessible by air via Salzburg, Munich or Innsbruck, but not without a healthy drive from any of the three. We chose to arrive via train from Salzburg, a picturesque journey through the mountains which the kids loved. Based on some fellow guests’ descriptions of their hair-raising taxi rides through those same mountains, we made the right call.

Contact
http://en.hotelhagleitner.at/

Written by Rebecca Tompkins