In South Tyrol a hotel
“silent luxury” in the balance
between alpine tradition
and exoticism
From Barbara Silbe
We know the Vinschgau Valley as the queen area of South Tyrolean agriculture. Its farmers produce vegetables, small fruits, apricots and cherries, not to mention its sweet apples grown at high altitude, favored by a microclimate that offers up to 300 days of sunshine a year. This western part of South Tyrol, however, which extends from Merano to the Resia Pass, is also dotted with beautiful towns, castles, sites of the Great War, suggestive treks and high peaks such as the Ötztal Alps and the Ortes Group which borders Lombardy. About halfway along its route of about eighty kilometers there is a strategic hotel structure to visit it far and wide and fall in love with it forever. Surrounded by vineyards and fruit trees, in a majestic landscape, the hotel Garberhof has its headquarters in Malles, 1,051 meters above sea level, and it is a 4-star superior hotel that can rightly boast the largest hotel hammam in all of Italy, ready to welcome its guests upon their return from every excursion. Here, the very strong local roots mix with Cuban warmth since the owner Klaus met his wife Yanelys and today, together, they run this hotel of discreet luxury, bringing together the territory with the exotic. Spending a holiday here means finding yourself in a world of quiet and refinement, where the very high quality service gives value to the food and wine and local products.
His Me:Ami spa of over 2 thousand square meters offers rituals, treatments and perfumes that speak of the East, an area dedicated to the well-being of the body and spirit that is much appreciated by those who decide to stay in this structure. The hammam area is divided into five rooms, as many as the steps of the purification path between steam, peeling, baths and relaxation areas and massages performed by highly qualified personnel.
All around, a landscape made of peaks that rise above three thousand meters, boundless meadows, alpine forests and vineyards, which contribute to spreading that priceless sense of tranquility that regenerates body and spirit. There are countless outdoor activities and routes that can be tackled on foot or by bike to alternate relaxation with physical activity: local guides accompany guests every day to discover the wonders of this valley. Among the most popular destinations, there is the Watles Peakor the Priest’s Lakesthe Malles’s mute, there Zerzer Valley up to the suggestive Brugger Alm and then descend to the shore of Lake San Valentino. And for those who want to move independently, and have little breath to go uphill, we suggest a visit to the famous bell tower of Curon, immersed in Lake Resia, to experience a surreal landscape and understand its history, or to the enchanted medieval town of Glorenza, another jewel of Alto Adige.
Last but not least, the accommodation: the rooms, chalets and suites, as well as the shared areas of the Garberhof hotel, are furnished with natural materials from the region, in harmony with the Alpine landscape. Some rooms are right next to the organic lake, another pride of the hotel together with the panoramic pool, and from their interior you can look out directly onto the body of water.
More info, packages and offers: www.garberhof.com