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Pretend it's 1965. You've just arrived at a Catholic boarding school. Now open your eyes and have a look around Institut St. Sebastian. Seem familiar?
This austere, 50-room spot serves as both a guesthouse and a student dormitory. Thus it's not surprising that St. Sebastian is popular with school groups and university students. But younger travelers and families on a budget will feel welcome here too. And with a cobblestone courtyard right off Linzergasse, a roof terrace with incredible views, and a beautiful graveyard next door, there's plenty to like.
The Spartan rooms are reminiscent of when the building housed a hospital: plain white sheets and mattresses on pine frames, dorm-style desks and chairs, and little else. All rooms are equipped for students with phone lines and Internet access. Windows overlook the nearby mountain and church spires.
The cheapest boarding option is the dorms—large airy rooms filled with bunk beds and lockers that share WC and shower. Private rooms are pricier. These come either with a choice of shared or en suite facilities. Despite the dated aura of the place, all bathroom fixtures are completely up-to-date.
Every floor has a guest kitchen and a bizarre smoking area with simple wooden "thrones" for chairs. On the ground floor, vaulted ceilings, leafy plants, and Catholic iconography are complemented by retro curtains and furnishings.
The graveyard next door—final home of Mozart's wife—is an attraction unto itself.
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