3 bucketlist hotels in the Italian alps
The Italian Alps are a true dream destination - majestic mountains like the Dolomites, deep green forests and fresh alpine air that revitalizes body and soul. But what would a stay be without the perfect accommodation? A hotel that not only offers a dreamlike scenery and surrounding but also gives you the feeling of having arrived somewhere really special.
We visited the Italian Alps for the first time in January 2025. In this article, we will introduce you to three outstanding hotels that we had the opportunity to stay at on our small 1-week trip from Meran to Brennero.
San Luis Retreat Hotel & Lodges: Nestled in a beautiful large forest above Meran/Merano in the beautiful area of Hafling, this unique hotel offers various chalets and tree houses with access to a large natural lake. The heart of the hotel is the main building with its spa area, indoor and outdoor pool, saunas and first-class gastronomy. It is a property for relaxation, perfect for unwinding with a feeling of exclusivity.
Tratterhof Mountain Sky Hotel: Located at an altitude of 1,500 meters in Meransen, this 4-star superior hotel impresses with a breathtaking panoramic view of the Dolomites. The 4,000 m² Monte Silva Mountain Spa, luxurious suites and a varied activity program make the Tratterhof an ideal place for wellness and nature lovers.
Erlebnisort Gassenhof: Located in the idyllic Ridnauntal valley, this family-run hotel combines Alpine tradition with modern comfort. The Gassenloge offers luxurious rooms and suites with panoramic views, while the Logen Spa with infinity pool and a wide range of wellness offers ensures relaxation. The hotel is surrounded by a variety of activities, such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter and great hiking opportunities in summer.
San Luis Lodges in a nutshell
Location & Surrounding - Located in Hafling near Meran, nestled in a huge forest with a natural lake in the middle
Best time to visit - Attractive all year round: winter for a cozy break with fireplace & spa, spring & autumn for quiet nature experiences, summer for outdoor activities & moments of enjoyment
How to get there - Accessible by car (parking available), nearest train station in Merano/Meran with bus connection to Avelengo/Hafling. They also offer a taxi service from various train stations and airports
Accommodations & chalets - Luxurious chalets & tree houses with private sauna, open fireplace and free-standing bathtub
Restaurants - The hotel's own restaurant serves seasonal gourmet cuisine with local ingredients, breakfast is delivered directly to the chalets
Things to do - Relaxing in the stunning spa area, swimming in the natural lake, hiking & cycling in the mountains, wellness treatments, skiing in Meran 2000
General information - Adults-friendly concept, absolute privacy, sustainable design with natural materials, the area is acessible for hotel guests only
The San Luis Retreat Hotel & Lodges in Hafling near Meran is definitely not an ordinary hotel - it is a retreat for all those who want to experience peace, nature and luxury in perfect harmony.
If you are looking for a very special hideaway, you will love the unique chalets and tree houses at San Luis. Each of these hideaways is furnished with high-quality natural materials that harmonize perfectly with the surroundings. The chalets by the lake have direct access to the water, while the tree houses offer a feeling of absolute freedom high up in the tree tops.
All accommodations have the highest level of comfort with an open fireplace, a private sauna, a free-standing bathtub and floor-to-ceiling windows that provide a fantastic view of nature.
Privacy is one of the top priorities here: breakfast is delivered directly to the chalet every day, so you can start the day in absolute peace and calmness.
The huge spa area invites you to harmonize body and soul. A heated indoor and outdoor pool ensures year-round swimming with a view of the forest, the lake, the chalets and treehouses. The spacious sauna area includes steam baths and saunas as well as relaxation areas. You can also indulge in exclusive wellness treatments and massages and they also have a gym if you’re seeking some training time during the vacation.
The hotel serves regional and seasonal gourmet cuisine in a beautiful restaurant room illuminated by candlelight and the evening sun. You can choose your dishes from a daily changing menu, plus a salad and antipasti buffet.
The San Luis Retreat Hotel & Lodges is a unique hideaway that combines luxury and nature in perfect harmony. The combination of luxurious chalets and tree houses nestled in a tranquil forest with an idyllic natural lake, makes this place special. The focus here is on privacy, slowing down and being close to nature - whether it's breakfast in your chalet or tree house, a spa treatment or a cozy get-together by one of the fireplaces.
Tratterhof Mountain Sky Hotel in a nutshell
Location & Surrounding - Located in Meransen at 1,500 meters above sea level, with spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the Dolomites
Best time to visit - Winter for skiers (close to the Gitschberg Jochtal ski region), summer for hikers & nature lovers, spring & fall for wellness & relaxation
How to get there - Easily accessible by car, nearest train station in Mühlbach, Brixen or Franzensfeste, from there you'll have a bus connection to Meransen or you can easily take a taxi
Rooms & Suites - Exclusive suites & panorama rooms with modern alpine style, many with balcony or terrace
Restaurants - High-quality Alpine cuisine in the hotel's own restaurant, daily changing menus with regional specialties
Things to do - 4,000 m² Monte Silva Mountain Spa with infinity pool, guided hikes & activities, yoga & fitness offers
General information - Family-friendly, top wellness hotel with sky spa, member of the “Belvita Leading Wellnesshotels Südtirol”
High up in Meransen, at an impressive 1,500 meters above sea level, you’ll find the Tratterhof Mountain Sky Hotel - a place that combines spectacular nature with a unique wellness offer. From every terrace you can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the Dolomites that will impress you at any time of day.
A selection of luxurious rooms and suites await you at the Tratterhof, combining modern Alpine style with comfort and coziness. You can choose between comfortably and stylishly furnished double rooms, with warm wooden elements, elegant fabrics and high-quality equipment or luxury panorama suites. Many rooms have their own balcony with mountain views. The hotel's highlight accommodation are the beautiful suites. They offer floor-to-ceiling windows, private loggias or terraces with spectacular views of Val Pusteria/Pustertal and the Dolomites. Some suites even have their own infrared cabin or sauna - the perfect place to relax after an active day.
An absolute highlight of the Tratterhof is the 4,000 m² Monte Silva Mountain Spa, which ensures maximum relaxation. It combines modern wellness facilities with alpine nature. In the heated infinity outdoor pool and the infinity whirlpool with a view of the Dolomites you feel like you're floating above the mountains. Various saunas, including a Finnish panorama sauna with infusions and a bio sauna ensure deep relaxation and cozy daybeds and relaxation rooms with large panoramic windows invite you to switch off.
The morning at Tratterhof begins with an extensive breakfast buffet that leaves nothing to be desired. A large selection of freshly baked bread and croissants, accompanied by various jams, honey and savory spreads. Regional cheeses, speck and sausages from South Tyrol, reflecting the best of Alpine cuisine. Fresh fruit, yoghurt, muesli and healthy options ensure a vital start to the day and there is also a live cooking station where fresh egg dishes can be prepared on request. High-quality coffee and tea, a juicer for freshly squeezed juices and smoothies round off the breakfast experience.
The cuisine at Tratterhof focuses on fresh, regional ingredients and authentic South Tyrolean specialties. The daily evening menu combines Mediterranean influences with Alpine tradition - accompanied by an excellent selection of wines.
The Tratterhof Mountain Sky Hotel in Meransen is the perfect place for anyone looking for a harmonious blend of luxury, nature and wellness. With its unique location at 1,500 meters above sea level and the breathtaking panoramic view of the Dolomites it offers a scenery that impresses at any time of year.
The rooms and panorama suites are characterized by modern design and alpine cosiness, while the Monte Silva Mountain Spa with its diverse wellness options invites you to completely relax. The spacious sauna area, the infinity pool and the exclusive spa treatments offer relaxation at the highest level.
Erlebnisort Gassenhof in a nutshell
Location & Surrounding - Located in the idyllic Ridnaun Valley, surrounded by beautiful nature and alpine scenery
Best time to visit - Ideal all year round: winter for ski tours & wellness, summer for hikes & mountain biking, spring & autumn for wellness and relaxation holidays
How to get there - Easily accessible by car, nearest train station in Sterzing with bus connection to Ridnaun
Rooms & Suites - Comfortable to luxurious rooms & suites, especially in the “Gassenloge” with panoramic views
Restaurants - Excellent South Tyrolean cuisine in the hotel's own restaurant, in-house distillery with specialty tastings
Things to do - Spacious spa area with infinity pool, saunas & wellness treatments, hiking, biking & guided outdoor adventures
General information - Family-run, relaxed atmosphere with South Tyrolean hospitality, perfect for active vacationers
Erlebnisort Gassenhof in the idyllic Ridnauntal valley is a true oasis of well-being for all those in search of a harmonious blend of nature, wellness and active relaxation. Surrounded by beautiful nature and majestic mountains, the Gassenhof offers the ideal setting for a vacation that is perfect for active holidaymakers as well as those seeking relaxation and pleasure.
Gassenhof offers a wide selection of rooms and suites that combine comfort and traditional charm. We stayed in the Gassenloge - the new extension to the main building, where the rooms impress with a unique panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The rooms and suites in the Gassenloge are equipped with modern amenities to ensure a relaxing stay. Some of them even have their own whirlpool.
After an active day in the mountains, you can relax wonderfully in the Gassenhof's wellness area called Logenspa. The infinity pool not only offers a fantastic view of the surrounding nature but also the perfect ambience to unwind with a long swim. The spacious sauna area with sauna and steam bath provides cozy warmth and relaxation. The hotel also offers a varied spa program with massages and treatments using high-quality natural products as well as yoga.
The Gassenhof offers culinary delights at a high level: the regional South Tyrolean cuisine is prepared with lots of love and fresh ingredients and reflects the tradition and diversity of the region. A rich buffet awaits you for breakfast - from freshly baked bread and croissants to hearty specialties such as bacon and cheese. In the evening, a menu of local delicacies is served in the restaurant, perfectly rounding off the day with regional flavors. The salad buffet at the Gassenhof is particularly well selected.
The Erlebnisort Gassenhof is the ideal place for anyone looking for nature, enjoyment and relaxation. Here, South Tyrolean hospitality meets high-quality wellness and culinary delights - perfect for active vacationers and relaxation seekers alike. The atmosphere and breathtaking mountain views make your stay an unforgettable experience. Whether in winter or summer, the Gassenhof is always worth a visit.
After our trip, we can definitely say that each of these three must-visit hotels - the San Luis Retreat Hotel, the Tratterhof Mountain Sky Hotel and the Erlebnisort Gassenhof - is unique in its own way and guarantees an unforgettable stay in the Italian Alps. Whether you are looking for peace and exclusivity at the San Luis, the perfect combination of wellness and mountains at the Tratterhof or the range of activities and closeness to nature at the Gassenhof - there is something for everyone.