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DolceVita Hotels in South Tyrol – the right hotel for everyone – Merano, or rather South Tyrol, was pretty much uncharted territory for me when it came to culinary delights. Thanks to the five DolceVita Hotels located in this region, I recently gained a good overall impression, spending two and a half wonderful days in one of these high-quality hotels, visiting three of the five, and being delighted by their respective cuisines. Even on the journey back from South Tyrol, I was already mentally crafting the sentences that, in this article, will best convey the feeling that Merano gave me – in my heart and on my tongue.

South Tyrol: Land, Life, People

I think South Tyrol is fantastic. The weather is great, it's just under four hours from Munich, and the people are wonderful. South Tyrol is Italy's northernmost province, nestled in the Alps, and has a population of around half a million. Its capital is Bolzano. Until 1919, South Tyrol belonged to its northern neighbors, Austria. German is spoken by approximately 64% of the population, Italian by 24%, and Ladin by 4%. South Tyrol is a wonderful place for a holiday, and with an average of over 310 days of sunshine per year, you can't go wrong with the weather. When you travel to South Tyrol, you're almost always surrounded by mountains! And that's pretty much true, as 8% of its approximately 7,400 km² are mountainous – only 6% of which is inhabited. South Tyrol lies south of the main Alpine ridge, which gives it its pleasant weather. Vineyards, orchards, palm trees in the sub-Mediterranean valleys, and dense deciduous and coniferous forests are all part of South Tyrol's vegetation. Besides excellent restaurants – from mountain huts to Michelin-starred establishments – countless luxury and wellness hotels are also among South Tyrol's most prestigious offerings. I recently had the opportunity to get to know one well-known South Tyrolean hotel group better.

View from my room at the Preidlhof

DolceVita Hotels – the perfect offer for everyone

The five DolceVita hotels in Völlan (approx. 1,200 inhabitants), Naturns (approx. 6,000 inhabitants), and Latsch (approx. 5,300 inhabitants) near Merano are all family-run, upscale activity and wellness hotels in South Tyrol. They have joined forces under the "DolceVita" brand and are committed to providing high-quality service to their guests. These hotels, or the DolceVita hotel of your choice, are perfect for you if you love nature, tranquility, and culinary delights. Each hotel offers different highlights, boasting its own unique charm, activity and wellness offerings, and ambiance. Each of the five hotels also presents its own menu and cuisine to satisfy hungry guests. Because each hotel caters to different needs, I've taken a closer look at the three DolceVita hotels that best suited me, but I've also compiled an overview for you.

My wonderful room at the Preidlhof

1.) I stayed at the five-star Preidlhof Luxury DolceVita Resort, a wellness hotel nestled amidst vineyards, orchards, and olive groves. This spa hotel is exclusively for adults aged 16 and over – children are not permitted (there are other DolceVita hotels for that). So, if you're looking for absolute tranquility combined with luxurious amenities and a touch of romance, the Preidlhof is the perfect choice. The Preidlhof boasts a six-story spa tower, a beauty and medical spa, five pools, an infinity sky pool, an integrated gourmet restaurant with Michelin-starred cuisine, and its own vineyard. Regional cuisine of the highest standard is standard here, and the Preidlhof also offers a daily fitness and hiking program with professional guides. Relaxation can be found in the inviting grounds by the pool, in the wellness area, or, of course, enjoying a meal at a beautifully set table in the restaurant.

2.) I also visited the four-star superior Lindenhof Experience & Gourmet Resort and enjoyed a two-course meal there. The Lindenhof is considered a top-class gourmet hotel and effortlessly combines relaxation and activity – not least because of its idyllic location overlooking the rooftops of Naturns. Just a five-minute walk from the town center, with its modern and elegant furnishings, a spacious wellness area (seven saunas, eight pools, eight themed relaxation rooms, and an "ArtSPA"), and delicious gourmet highlights (set menu or à la carte), the Lindenhof ensures a wonderful stay. I had the pleasure of dining on the inviting terrace and was served one of the best courses of my entire two-and-a-half-day stay. A glass of wine, good food, and the tranquil oasis surrounding you – the Lindenhof offers everything you need for the perfect short break. (My personal opinion: The Preidlhof is a touch more upscale than the Lindenhof, but I preferred the cuisine at the Lindenhof, including the wine pairings. My courses were: "Fillet of Passeier char with two preparations of cauliflower and sautéed chanterelles" with a "2016 Riesling | Lehengut | Thomas Plack Kastellberg" and "Kloaznravioli with Vinschgau mountain cheese fondue, pear and crumble" with a 2015 Kerner | Aristos | Eisacktaler Kellerei.) By the way: The Lindenhof is home to South Tyrol's largest whisky bar!

DolceVita Hotels Suedtirol Italien Restaurant Lindenhof

The DolceVita Hotel Lindenhof

DolceVita Hotels Suedtirol Italien Feldholf

The DolceVita Hotel Feldhof | © Michael Huber

3.) Number three, the DolceVita Hotel ALPIANA RESORT, which I also visited via a hotel tour, is located between Merano and Bolzano. A true "mountain oasis" above Lana, 14 kilometers from the center of Merano. Ideal for all wellness enthusiasts, it includes an attractive restaurant area, a fantastic pool garden (four pools) with a Mediterranean touch, and a stunning mountain backdrop. Whether you're an active vacationer, a gourmet, or a fan of sophisticated architecture, you'll find something to love here. Under the motto "green luxury," the idyllic natural surroundings of the ALPIANA RESORT play a major role. Here, too, there's a Sky Spa, a sauna with infusions, and Sky Luxury Suites for couples who want to enjoy a touch of romance. Unlike the Preidlhof, families with children are also welcome here. Within the ALPIANA RESORT, I also enjoyed a special seminar on coffee as a beverage and a trending topic – led by the South Tyrolean Schreyögger coffee roastery. Various small bites were served, which simultaneously gave a good overall impression of the cuisine to be expected. Fresh food, refined creations – combined with relaxed yet competent service. (My personal opinion: If I weren't staying at the Preidlhof, the ALPIANA RESORT would be my second choice from a hotel perspective. From a culinary point of view, my ranking is exactly the opposite, and I would visit the Lindenhof first, then the ALPIANA RESORT, and then the Preidlhof – although the food was also good at both.)

4.) I wasn't able to visit the four-star superior Hotel Feldhof, also located in Naturns. It has 57 rooms (between 22 and 80 m²) and focuses on wellness and relaxation. The Hotel Feldhof has been recently renovated and shines with a new luster (Alpine-Mediterranean design, natural wood furniture, wooden floors, etc.) and offers an unforgettable view of the romantic hotel garden and the Merano mountains. The DolceVita Hotel Feldhof is ideal for family vacations and leaves nothing to be desired in terms of wellness, with its 2,000 m² spa area including a spacious water world (nine different pools, seven different saunas, a beauty area, a rooftop sky spa with 360° panoramic views, etc.). A children's adventure pool and two family saunas are also part of this stylish hotel.

5.) For those of you who associate wellness more with activity than lounging around, the Aktiv & Spa Resort Jagdhof in the Vinschgau Valley is likely the perfect DolceVita hotel. The Jagdhof is the smallest of the Superior DolceVita hotels and offers a diverse range of activities for outdoor enthusiasts and wellness fans: biking, hiking, swimming, a spa (six saunas, two pools, a jacuzzi, and massages), and much more. The Jagdhof is particularly popular with hikers and bikers. The hotel is decorated in an alpine style, and the restaurant serves alpine-Mediterranean delicacies. The atmosphere is relaxed and informal, and the hotel aims to impress with its activity program for discerning guests.

Sushi at the ALPIANA RESORT

The amuse-bouche at the Preidlhof

Culinary delights and enjoyment

I've already shared a little bit about my culinary highlights in South Tyrol with you. At my "home away from home" there, the Preidlhof, there was a choice of a six-course gourmet dinner (appetizers from the buffet, soups – three to choose from, intermediate course – three to choose from, main course, cheese & fruit, and dessert), as well as a varied and generously stocked breakfast buffet each morning, with a different theme. One day there were numerous small sweet pastries (donuts, chocolates, etc.), and the next day a more Bavarian selection with white sausages, cold roast beef, and the like. Of course, fresh fruit, cheese and cold cuts, fresh juices, jams, breads and rolls, as well as egg dishes prepared to order and hot drinks were always available.

I dined at the Preidlhof twice. Once as part of the aforementioned set menu (Course 1: Buffet, Course 2: Cream of cherry tomato soup with oregano, Course 3: Tuna tataki with watermelon and soba noodles, Course 4: Homemade flatbread tagliatelle with chamois salami, Course 5: Cheese and fruit buffet, Course 6: Nut and chocolate brownie with citrus fruits), and once as a seated dinner on the second evening. This dinner included an amuse-bouche (scallops with cauliflower and apple balsamic vinegar), a main course (small variation of veal with parsley and fig), and a dessert (mascarpone parfait with strawberries and aged balsamic vinegar). Each course was accompanied by a suitable wine, which was presented in detail (main course: Lagrein Riserva | Burgum Novum | Castelfeder, Neumarkt, 2013; dessert: Gewürztraminer Roen | KG Tramin, Tramin, 2015).

On the first day, we went to the ALPIANA RESORT described above for a generous lunch. A meal was prepared for us, including an amuse-bouche and a wonderfully fresh berry dessert with vanilla cream. The South Tyrolean chef Arnold Nussbaumer prepared the food, and we enjoyed a superb menu, starting with homemade steak tartare and sushi. The main course was a lentil risotto with fresh scallops, shrimp, and seared bacon. Delicious! Before it was served, we enjoyed some refreshing drinks, cocktails, and milkshakes at the sunny bar, along with delicious finger food that whetted our appetites even before the meal began. Click through the slideshow below to see in detail where I ate what.

At the coffee seminar at the ALPIANA RESORT

Hall 2 in the Lindenhof – my favorite

My overall impression

Trying to cram everything I experienced in just 2.5 days, especially when it involves five fantastic hotels, into a single article is simply impossible. However, I absolutely must share my overall impression: a stay at a DolceVita hotel is definitely worthwhile. Firstly, because each hotel has its own unique design, and secondly, because there's something to suit every need – whether it's the rooms, the facilities, or the food. All in all, I didn't have a single bad meal, I was treated with the utmost friendliness and warmth everywhere I went, and during my rather short stay, I already fell a little bit in love with South Tyrol. What I find particularly appealing is that DolceVita consciously unites five hotels under one umbrella brand, ensuring they don't compete or rival each other, but rather stand on their own merits and individual concepts. Guests staying at one DolceVita hotel are, of course, also welcome to dine at the others – another great advantage.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in South Tyrol, and although I certainly didn't fully experience the wellness facilities (in this case, at the Preidlhof) or the culinary offerings – I was, after all, on a hotel-hopping trip – the experience was impressive enough for me to return. The ALPIANA RESORT, with its warm and inviting atmosphere, and the Lindenhof, with its gourmet cuisine, were particularly memorable. The Preidlhof, however, impressed me most with its ambiance and the diversity of its programs and amenities. I slept wonderfully in my open-plan room, complete with a freestanding corner bathtub and a four-poster bed.

The next time you're looking for wellness for body, mind, and palate, consider the DolceVita Hotels and find the perfect offer for you. Even if you were to stay at the ALPIANA RESORT or Preidlhof, for example, the Lindenhof is just a stone's throw away. The other two hotels are also just a short drive away. "Hotel-hopping" has already proven worthwhile for me and is sure to delight anyone who loves short breaks, the mountains and nature, and good food.

+++ This article was created in cooperation with DolceVita. Thank you! +++

Contact for inquiries

DolceVita Hotels in South Tyrol
Website1.) Luxury DolceVita Resort Preidlhof | St. Zeno Street 13, 39025 Naturns | Tel. +39 0473 666251
2.) DolceVita Resort Lindenhof | Kirchweg 2, 39025 Naturns | Tel. +39 0473 666242
3.) DolceVita ALPIANA RESORT | Propst Wieser Weg 30, 39011 Völlan near Lana | Tel. +39 0473 568 033
4.) DolceVita Hotel Feldhof | Rathausstraße 4, 39025 Naturns | Tel. +39 0473 666 366
5.) DolceVita Hotel Jagdhof | Herrengasse 15, 39021 Latsch | Tel. 0039 0473 62 22 99

Contact via telephone: +39 0473 720165

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