Hohenwart isn't a hotel that was built all at once. It has grown organically over almost seventy years, beginning in 1957 as a small guesthouse founded by Franz Mair. Today, three generations of the Mair family continue to shape the property, proving that true hospitality cannot simply be designed, it has to be lived.
The hotel now unfolds across four interconnected houses, each with its own personality, all surrounded by gardens that naturally connect the different buildings into what feels more like a peaceful village than a traditional resort. Instead of replacing history with modernity, existing structures and natural materials have been carefully preserved and integrated into every new addition, allowing the property to evolve while keeping its original soul.
One sentence from the family stayed with us throughout the visit: "Hohenwart is not primarily made of walls, but of people." After a few days here, it is easy to understand exactly what they mean.
Perhaps the most beautiful space at Hohenwart is the 5,000-square-metre garden.
More than a landscape, it acts as the heart of the property, connecting every house, every pathway and every view. Mediterranean palms, cypress trees and olive trees grow alongside Alpine greenery, creating an atmosphere that somehow belongs to both Italy and the mountains at once.
The roses deserve special mention. They bloom throughout the gardens, appear in the spa rituals, decorate the dining tables and even find their way into fragrances and herbal creations. Lavender scents the air, herbs are picked for the kitchen, while every corner invites guests to pause rather than hurry somewhere else. It is one of those rare gardens that doesn't ask you to admire it, but encourages you to stay.
The VistaSpa perfectly reflects Hohenwart's philosophy of slowing down.
Reserved for adults, this peaceful sanctuary sits high above the rooftops, offering uninterrupted views across Merano, Schenna Castle and the surrounding mountain ranges. The panoramic saltwater pool seems to merge with the landscape, while the rooftop sauna, mountain sauna, rose steam bath and tranquil relaxation rooms invite guests to disconnect completely.
The wellness journey goes beyond classic spa treatments. The signature La Vie en Rose ritual, inspired by the fragrant roses blooming throughout the gardens, combines gentle body care with the calming essence of the flower, creating an experience that is as restorative for the mind as it is for the body. Complementing the treatments are immersive sound bath sessions, where soothing vibrations and carefully selected frequencies encourage deep relaxation, helping guests release stress and reconnect with themselves.
On the lower level, the hotel offers an equally impressive FamilySpa. Here, a spacious indoor panoramic pool flows into a heated outdoor sports pool surrounded by gardens and mountain scenery. Steam baths, saunas and dedicated family wellness areas ensure that every generation - from children to grandparents - can enjoy their own version of relaxation.
It is this thoughtful balance between adults-only tranquillity and genuine multi-generational hospitality that makes Hohenwart feel less like a hotel and more like a place families return to year after year.
Food at Hohenwart follows the same philosophy as the rest of the hotel: local, seasonal and deeply connected to the region.
Breakfast begins with fresh products from South Tyrol, while dinner celebrates Alpine traditions with a contemporary Italian touch. Herbs from the garden, vegetables from nearby farms, local cheeses, homemade jams and carefully selected regional ingredients shape a cuisine that feels authentic rather than elaborate. Every evening, the menus are paired with wines from South Tyrol, one of Italy's most exciting wine regions, where Weißburgunder, Sauvignon Blanc and mineral-driven wines flourish between sunny vineyards and Alpine peaks.
One of the culinary highlights is the generous afternoon buffet, when guests gather on the terrace for coffee and homemade cakes. Many of these recipes originate from Senior Hostess Mrs. Mair, a trained pastry chef who baked for guests herself for decades. Even today, she remains a familiar presence throughout the hotel, personally greeting visitors and making sure everyone feels at home. It is this combination of heartfelt hospitality and genuine culinary tradition that has become one of Hohenwart's defining signatures.
South Tyrol is one of Italy's finest white wine regions, although surprisingly few international travellers know it.
The mineral-rich vineyards around Merano produce exceptional Weißburgunder (Pinot Blanc), elegant Sauvignon Blanc and other Alpine wines shaped by warm days and cool mountain nights.
One of the highlights of our stay was a walk through the vineyards to Weingut Innerleiterhof, where we discovered just how expressive these wines can be. Every glass reflected the landscape surrounding us- fresh, vibrant and unmistakably South Tyrolean. The visit forms part of the hotel's carefully curated regional experiences.
In Berlin, we often travel looking for the next experience. South Tyrol quietly suggests something different: by how comfortable you become doing less.
A morning overlooking vineyards. An afternoon between rose gardens and panoramic pools.A glass of local wine as the mountains slowly change colour.And a family that has spent almost seventy years perfecting the simple art of making people feel at home.
Long after the mountain views fade into memory, what stays with you is a rare feeling: the warmth of genuine hospitality, the taste of South Tyrol and the quiet certainty that you'll want to return.
This visit took place as part of a media invitation by Hotel Hohenwart, South Tyrol.
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