OT: Which is your favourite hotel in the world?
Shovana Narayan: When travelling with my family, we love to stay with friends. However, one immediately comes to mind — while in Salzburg, on a personal or a professional trip, I look forward to staying at Hotel Elefant (from €102; elefant.at), a small boutique property. I first visited in 1982, on our honeymoon. Later, I had occasion to stay during several performances.

OT: When did you last visit?
Shovana Narayan: Altogether, I have stayed there on four or five occasions. My last visit was in 2009.

OT: What keeps you coming back?
Shovana Narayan: It is situated in a picturesque part of the old town and I love the traditional ambience of the hotel (it is some 800 years old), though it is equipped with all modern facilities. It is centrally located on one of the most traditional streets, Sigmund-Haffner-Gasse, which is a pedestrian zone. I could not ask for more as a culture buff. From here, I could walk to Mozart’s birthplace, the Archbishop’s residence, the cathedral and the festival halls, where I performed on a few occasions and spent several hours at Western classical concerts and the fantastic operas.

OT: Do you like the food?
Shovana Narayan: Any special dishes? On all my stays, I gorge myself on the lovely traditional cuisine. I keep trying various dishes, but always end my meals with the mouth-watering Salzburger Nockerl, a very light egg custard with berries.

OT: Will you visit again soon?
Shovana Narayan: I like to visit this town and this hotel whenever I can!