We skipped Salzburg to be able to visit Hallstatt, and we are so glad we did! We could see Pension Sarstein riding the ferry boat from the train station and knew we had a winner. Just up the street from the ferry dock, the pension has outstanding views of the lake and mountains. I got some of my best pictures of our two-week Germany/Austria trip from the balcony of our apartment at dusk. The room was very clean and new-feeling. We had a drying rack for laundry on the balcony and a kitchen (which we didn't use). The owners were very nice and helpful as far as hiking suggestions. The breakfast was not as full as some other pensions, but it was optional. The coffee and views of the lake from the breakfast room, however, made it more than satisfying. The combination of views, quiet, and comfort made this an outstanding stay.

Hallstatt is a piece of heaven on Earth! It's no wonder people were living there from ancient times. Pension Sarstein is the perfect choice due to the great location, the magnificent view and, not in the end, to it's owners. The rooms are very nice and clean, the owners gave us a lot of helpful information and maps of the region. Although during all our 7 days stay it rained, we found a lot of interesting things to do and we are already planning another trip to Hallstatt for this year.

We stayed there for 3 nights but wished we stayed there longer.
If you have a chance to get to Hallstatt by train, you will have the most spectacular arrival of your life because the view is breathtaking when you get across the lake on a small ferryboat.
The Sarstein pension is very well located on the side of the lake and has been completely renovated. The room was perfect and had a fantastic view on the lake. We had room #4 with a balcony.

The owners are charming and are the third generation of the family to run the pension. He is Austrian and his wife is French. Since we are French Canadians, we enjoyed talking french with her.

The room where we had our breakfasts was cozy with panoramic windows overlooking the lake. A big fridge was available to the clients. Mr Fischer was always there in the morning to prepare the coffee and the boiled eggs to complete the rest of the meal.

They effectively gave us good advice as when we should visit some places. When we went to Gosausee glacier in the afternoon, we took the bus at the entrance of the mountain tunnel which is near the pension (5 minute walk) and it took approx.40 minutes (with a transfer). The view was outstanding by the glacier lake, a perfect spot for a picnic, especially when it is sunny like we had.

One important fact that you should know is that this village is car free during most of the day (the cars have to go across a tunnel that runs trough the mountain) so it is very relaxing to go by foot across the village and take the time to enjoy all there is to see.

Another must when in Hallstatt is to eat the local fresh catch fish: the blue reinanke which melts in your mouth. The one served at the Gasthaus Grünen Anger was delicious.

It's a stay that we will remember for a lifetime.

Just as many other reviews for this pension (Pension Sarstein), I also have many positive comments for it.

The location of the pension is very closed to the ferry pier and town center. But, it is situated in a quiet and convenient place.

My wife and I stayed there for 3 nights in Sep, 2007. We were offered to stay in the apartment on the 1st floor. It costed us EUR 60 per night including the breakfast. Most of the rooms have balconies and each room has a nice view of the lake. It could be even better if it can see the Church view from the Pension. Actually, we found out that the Fischer family who run this pension only lives several houses away. Their house has a very nice view of the Church.

The apartment is tidy and clean. Just the towel is not too clean (we could still see marks on the towel). So, I suggest to bring your own towel when you stay there.

As for the breakfast, you should not expect too much for a continential breakfast. However, it can fill you up and get you ready for your day.

The Fischer family (a couples) is very nice. The husband knows the area around Hallstatt very well. He also can point out the right time for the place you will visit. For example, we were to visit GouSau See one day. If the husband did not tell us to go there at round noon, we would have gone there in the morning when the Sun is still behind the mountain and the lake is dark.

I would recommend anyone to stay at this Pension when they visit Hallstatt.