Surrounded by various national parks, nature reserves, and other biodiversity, South Tyrol is a destination worth visiting at any time. Since the climate is already warmer, especially in spring, you can enjoy warm sunny days quite early. Hikes, city, and museum visits are at the top of the to-do list in spring, summer, and fall. In winter, travelers can expect a magnificent snowy landscape for the perfect skiing trip or relaxing wellness days in the midst of the mountains.
There is no question that the region is incredibly beautiful. Picturesque mountain villages, lakes, and culinary delights make South Tyrol a popular and much-visited vacation destination. But tourism and high visitor numbers are usually not in harmony with the preservation of landscape, nature, and culture. South Tyrol recognized this early on and has been striving for a more sustainable future for several years. With its seven nature parks and the Stilfser Joch National Park, the popular vacation region preserves and explores flora and fauna and enables all ages to discover nature in a responsible way.
In addition to the extensive hiking and biking trails, South Tyrol also offers its visitors a gentle arrival and departure and a well-connected infrastructure. Therefore, you will not need your own car during the entire vacation. Arriving by train from Munich or Innsbruck is just as easy as exploring the towns and mountain villages with all forms of public transport.
The three best hotels in South Tyrol
South Tyrol promotes sustainable tourism and offers you the opportunity to travel the region in an environmentally friendly way. Many conventional hotels that do not act in an environmentally friendly and resource-conserving approach become a problem. However, following hotels set a good example so that your vacation can take place with a clear conscience:
Ecohotel Saltus – Wellness time out in the middle of nature
The stunning Ecohotel Saltus is nestled in the woods above Bolzano and serves perfectly for a relaxing getaway. The natural shades, vintage furniture pieces, and natural materials are in harmony with nature – truly mirroring its surroundings. The large windows and balconies overlooking the spruce forest create the feeling of sleeping in the middle of nature. Pure relaxation is offered by the outdoor Skypool, the forest spa, yoga classes, and various wellness treatments. You can enjoy delicious menus from local and seasonal cuisine with ingredients from the hotel’s own fruit and vegetable garden.
Ecohotel Saltus is strongly committed to sustainability. For example, the hotel is carbon neutral and offsets its emissions through reforestation projects. In addition, the entire hotel is free of single-use plastic and all waste is separated and recycled. Furthermore, solar panels are used to heat water, and electricity is purchased from renewable sources. To ensure no water is wasted, the outdoor sky pool is filled with water from surrounding mountain springs and filtered without chemicals. Rainwater is also collected and used for air conditioning and watering the gardens.
Living up to the local culture is the essence of this hotel. For example, Saltus celebrates ancient customs and traditional South Tyrolean dishes and service methods. A special feature is the Digital Detox. There are no TVs in the rooms and the Wi-Fi is turned off at midnight, giving you the chance to completely switch off and enjoy nature to the fullest.
ALDER Lodge Ritten – luxurious hideaway overlooking the Dolomites
Alder Lodge Ritten offers 5-star luxury in a tranquil, natural setting, amidst the Dolomites. The twenty spacious suites in the main house are made of local Tyrolean oak and furnished with local designer pieces. In the twenty chalets you can experience nature up close, as floor-to-ceiling windows offer a dreamlike view of the nature and the Dolomites. A real highlight is the private bio sauna in the suites and in the chalets, allowing you to relax undisturbed. In the hotel, an all-inclusive arrangement of regional and seasonal dishes and a wide range of relaxation options await you. Enjoy relaxing hours in the open-air infinity pool, in the sauna area or unwind in one of the treatment rooms during a selected massage.
Sustainable action and the conservation of resources are just as important to the hotel as the satisfaction of its guests. For example, the entire hotel is free of single-use plastic, waste is separated and recycled, and all paper communication is done on eco-paper. In addition, water used in the hotel comes from sustainable springs. Even the pool is filled with rainwater and treated with sand, ozone and chlorine electrolysis.
Along with food that comes from the region, all other materials used are locally sourced: furniture, floors and rooms are made of local natural wood.
The hotel preserves the South Tyrolean nature and culture. It promotes the balance of the natural ecosystem and biodiversity: wild ducks, a fish pond, beehives and a wildflower meadow are located on the hotel grounds. Furthermore, the hotel supports numerous local associations and enters into partnerships with local farmers. To ensure that nature is not harmed by the construction, the forest sauna and terrace were built on the basis of the existing trees.
SILENA, your soulful hotel – relaxation in a Southeast Asian atmosphere
SILENA, your soulful hotel, welcomes you in the middle of the mountains. The natural Designhotel combines Southeast Asian culture with South Tyrolean tradition – an ensemble that transforms your vacation into a unique experience. Enjoy wellness hours in the outdoor infinity pool, in the Zen Garden or take part in the yoga program, Qi Gong or guided meditations. In summer, the extensive activity program includes guided hikes, excursions in the surrounding area or numerous mountain sports activities. In winter, the 55-kilometer ski slope Glitschberg-Jochtal awaits you, which you can reach from the 300-meter distant valley station. In addition, enjoy a Southeast Asian menu made from seasonal ingredients in the gourmet restaurant and choose one of the 400 international or South Tyrolean wines to complement your meal.
SILENA is also committed to sustainability. Electricity is supplied by the surrounding hydroelectric plants to ensure an environmentally friendly energy supply. The pool is heated with wood pellets from the local cogeneration plant.
When it comes to food, you can be sure that the ingredients come from the surrounding area, because the family-run hotel sources food from local farmers, hunters and dairies. The menus often include ingredients, herbs and berries from the high moor located behind the hotel. For pure relaxation, a large selection of teas and books awaits you in addition to the wide range of wellness offers. Perfect to let your soul unwind.
