Nestled in a picturesque tea plantation, high above in the…
A luxurious getaway: Hotel Alpenpalace, South Tyrol
South Tyrol is a great place for all the senses. The mountains and the beautiful landscape make it a great place for a lot of outdoor activities like skiing in winter and hiking in summer. Influenced by Austrian and Italian cuisine the food is outstanding and delicate. The people of the region are warm and friendly and very hospitable.
If you are looking for all that, the Alpenpalace Deluxe Hotel& Spa resort is the best place to experience everything that South Tyrol has to offer.
Situated in the Ahrnatal Valley, the Alpenpalace has the perfect location surrounded by the Alps and close to some wonderful ski areas, provides an excellent service to its guest and especially the exclusive spa that spreads over 2000 m2 offers pure relaxation.
After a busy time, a relaxing getaway was needed: Some time to recharge the batteries, indulge in gourmet food and simply relax. Therefore I was really looking forward to my stay at the Alpenpalace, that is part of the group “Best Wellness Hotels Austria”.
We got picked up from Innsbruck train station and were warmly welcomed with a picnic basket filled with some homemade cookies, fruit, water and a bottle of champagne. A nice touch since they knew a long day of traveling was lying behind us. The 1.5 hour car ride lead us through valleys and mountains and we passed charming, little villages. Finally we arrived at the Alpenpalace and were greeted by the friendly staff. After we checked in, we got to enjoy a hot, mulled wine in front of an open fire in the tasteful lounge area. The interior is a great mix between modern and traditional- elegant with a touch of South Tyrolean coziness.
When we arrived in our room, our luggage was already waiting for us as well as a handwritten welcome card, some sweet treats and a bottle of Moet. The Suite Alpenpalace was our home for the weekend which was very spacious and comfortable with the warm, wooden interior. Highlights of the suite was the tilted stove in the living room, a large balcony with a panoramic view of the snowy mountains and of course (my beloved) nespresso machine.
The marble bathroom was also very elegant and luxurious with amenities from Bulgari, a whirlpool and even a TV.
We got ready for dinner and got shown our own table that was reserved for us during our entire stay. From the daily changing menu we could select a three course meal and tried the recommended wine of the day. The food with its freshness, quality and originality and its appealing presentation will enchant your senses and I have to admit I have never eaten so well during my life.
In addition to the selected menu, you can get salad, ice cream and cake as well as cheese from the buffet.
The next day we wanted to try out skiing. Luckily the hotel is very close to some of the loveliest ski areas in Italy, which are suitable for all levels of experience. The receptionist was very helpful and recommended us to go skiing at Speikboden which is very sunny and has excellent slopes between 1000-2500 meters altitude. She arranged ski lessons for me, since that was going to be my first time on skis and organized the free ski shuttle.
Before hitting the slopes we enjoyed a big breakfast. Once again the food was extraordinary – lots of choices and everything was fresh and from the region. You can help yourself from the buffet and there is also a pancake and egg station. A pleasant extra is the personal morning letter that was waiting for us on our table.
We enjoyed the day in the snow and since the ski area is not as well known as for example Ischgl, there are no queues for the lifts and the slopes aren’t very full.
After coming back from the cold, a visit to the spa area is perfect to end the day. We enjoyed to spend some time in the hot water of the outdoor pool and the whirlpool. It was truly magical to sit there and to enjoy the stars, the bonfire and the snowy landscape.
On our last day after breakfast we decided to spend the rest of our stay relaxing in the exclusive spa. The facilities are excellent: the indoor area has an indoor pool, a salt pool and a kids pool; then there is a sauna area with many different saunas and steam baths and the wonderful outdoor pool and whirlpool. Guests can also enjoy healthy snacks and drinks which are offered.
Also I can truly recommend to get a treatment. The full body massage we had was really good and the staff very friendly and professional.
To sum it up, the family run Hotel Alpenpalace makes sure that their guests have a memorable stay, the staff are professional and attentive and make sure that all needs are met but never forget to give a warm smile. This place is a true gem and perfect if you want to take a break to relax.
Info:
Alpenpalace Deluxe Hotel& Spa Resort
I-39030 Ahrntal Valley
(Traveler’s Little Treasures was a guest to this hotel, however my opinion is as always, my own.)