"I'm back home again," 93-year-old Maria von Trapp told reporters in Salzburg after spending several nights in her childhood house, which has been transformed into a hotel.

Located in a posh part of Salzburg, the Villa Trapp once belonged to the von Trapps, who gained global fame in the 1965 blockbuster starring Julie Andrews, which tells the story of an Austrian woman who marries a widower with seven children and teaches them music.

The hotel is expected to officially open its doors to guests in October.

Fans from around the world will have the chance to spend a night or two in the house the von Trapps called home between 1923 and 1938 before emigrating to the United States.

Maria von Trapp, who was flown in for the hotel's inauguration with several relatives, appeared enthusiastic about the endeavour.

"I'm sleeping in the room where my brother slept ... it's very nice to be back again," she said.

The von Trapps' property was confiscated by the Nazis and SS chief Heinrich Himmler moved in. SS barracks were built in the garden and the property was secured with barbed wire and armed guards.

In the summer of 1947, the Missionaries of the Precious Blood bought the villa from the family. They later moved into a nearby building and rented it out to the business partners who spent 500,000 (about £390,000) to convert it into a hotel.

Johannes von Trapp, Maria's half-brother, who was born in the US, said the family had returned to Austria on numerous occasions over the years. He appeared pleased that the villa had been converted.