Mediterranean vibes at Hotel Villa Eden & Hotel Castel Tirolo:

Recently I enjoyed another outstanding stay in beautiful Merano in the heart of the South Tyrol in northern Italy. If Swiss people (or German and Austrian ones) yearn for a nearby spa resort with almost Mediterranean climate, then this town is a favorable choice. And in case you look for high-end accommodation coming along with staff excel at hospitality too, all the better! After three stays here, I want you to know about two great luxury hotels in Merano!

This is on the one hand Hotel Villa Eden, west from the town center and near the gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle. Here my husband and I had a perfect three-day stay in last November. On the other hand, we were twice at Hotel Castel in Tirolo in the north of Merano, high above the town. And this as family some years ago.

About Merano

Think of Merano in Italy’s northernmost province of South Tyrol as place with Mediterranean vibes surrounded by snowcapped mountains. Thanks to its mild climate it has long been a popular residence for celebrities. The most famous one was possibly Empress Elisabeth of Austria (“Sissi”). The Sissi’s path from the town center to the Trauttmansdorff Castle and Gardens is called after her (A great thing to do!).

Situation/Culture mix

Merano is a historical spa town, surrounded by mountains up to more than 3,000 m (9,840 ft). It is of medium size (about 40,000 inhabitants) and features a medieval old town with arcades.  Another asset is its elegant art nouveau buildings.

Contrary to the rest of Italy, you find in the South Tyrol a mix of German and Italian culture. Both languages are equal here, actually more people are German-speaking. This fact together with the Alpine surroundings makes the region quite unique. Also the cuisine is like that, it is both, Mediterranean and influenced by Alpine traditions.

Things to do

In terms of activities, Meran and its surroundings is ideal for walking and hiking, with trails for every level of difficulty. For an easy walk, do not miss the Tappeiner Promenade.

It is possibly one of the most beautiful high promenades all over Europe. Here you encounter a wonderful mix of Alpine and Mediterranean vegetation in combination with panoramic views. And there is a myriad of canal trails, so-called “Waalwege”. These are easy walking paths (almost no slopes) along historic irrigation canals. If you know the “Levadas” on Madeira Island, it is exactly the same.

If you like going to the spa, then the Terme Merano might be the place to visit. Fifteen pools are available year round with indoor and outdoor areas. During the summer season, you even have access to ten more outdoor pools. And there are six different saunas to experience. I have not been here yet, but it sounds like a good thing to do when being a spa enthusiast.

Getting there

If you want to get here by plane, you can fly into Munich (then it is a four-hour drive) or Innsbruck (two hours) from north. From south, opt for Verona (two hours). If you are on a Switzerland trip, it is a drive of about four and a half hours from Zurich. In case you want to visit both Switzerland and Italy, it might be the ideal stop before going to Venice, which is another three-hour drive.

Two great luxury hotels in Merano

Merano and its neighborhoods are full of hotels in all categories. In terms of luxury accommodations, you are spoilt for choice too! When my husband and I headed to Merano last November in search of high-end lodging and (Michelin) fine dining, quite a number of hotels had already closed for the season. This was also the case for the one we knew from earlier trips, Hotel Castel in Tirolo, high above the town of Merano.

 

The same was true for another property that had caught my eye, Hotel Castel Fragsburg. It is situated in the southeast of Merano, a fifteen-minute drive from the town center. And it features not only a prominent location but also a Michelin one-star restaurant.

But we were lucky to find another great luxury hotel that was still open so late in the year, Hotel Villa Eden. And it is at the same time the most conveniently located among those three, close to the town center – and to Trauttmansdorff Castle and Gardens!

In the following, I will go into two great luxury hotels in Merano. I start with Hotel Villa Eden, then I will bring Hotel Castel closer to you.

Hotel Villa Eden***** in Merano

When I first came across Hotel Villa Eden, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, I was wondering whether I was in the right place. I was unsure if it is health wellness retreat only or a hotel for “normal hotel guests”, too. Fortunately, the second case applies! But more to this topic later on, first to the essentials.

Location

As mentioned, the hotel has a favorable location. It is in a quiet residential neighborhood, which is very upper class. And it is close to the town center (twenty minutes by foot) and Trauttmansdorff Castle and Gardens (ten minutes by foot). The building was not constructed as a hotel. It used to be an elegant private art nouveau villa, built in the 19th century.

The setting of Hotel Villa Eden is beautiful. The property features large gardens with lots of old trees. I think I spotted cedar trees amongst others. It is such a tranquil and serene place, and you have a splendid view of the Adige valley.

Facilities

The Mindful Restaurant serves healthy gourmet cuisine – as it should be for a health wellness retreat. You can have your meals – weather permitting – also on the terrace with park views. Find more details about food and meals under the food section. On site there are also several public rooms of timeless elegance that make you want to linger.

 

In terms of spa and relaxation, you find here an outdoor as well as an indoor swimming pool. Furthermore, there are a Turkish bath, an infrared cabin, a Shiatsu area, a whirlpool as well as a reading and video room. And best of all is, in my opinion, the ten thousand square meters centuries-old park.

Medical Services

As indicated, it is not just another hotel but a health wellness retreat. And it is indeed an exclusive one, for adults only. It calls its own the “Longevity Medical & Spa Center” where medical experts do everything for guests in this respect. And all this coming along with highest hospitality standards.

As my husband and I were not looking for such wellness and medical services, we were at first hesitant to book a stay here. We finally dared to do so, and we were not disappointed! No one let us feel that we were in the wrong place as “normal hotel guests”.  A bit unusual for us was the “bathrobe policy” at breakfast. But of course this was not a must.

And there was one more thing that was a bit special too, the Covid test we had to do when checking-in. Actually, I found it a great idea! All the employees have to undergo a rapid immunization test weekly. And the same is true for guests upon arrival. It is no big deal, a prick to the finger and twenty minutes of waiting. And then we were ready for our stay at the Covid safe hotel.

And a final remark to the health wellness retreat offerings. As we did not make use of the wellness and medical services, I cannot, of course, comment on those.

Rooms/Pricing

Out of the 29 rooms my husband and I went for the Serenity Junior Suite (60 sqm). As we visited Villa Eden in the off-season and it was far from busy, they were so kind to upgrade us to the Signature Park Suite (70 sqm).

And we thoroughly loved our room! It was recently updated in a gorgeously elegant style. While the living area – featuring a huge sofa and a dining table – is not separated, it is generous in size.

And the bathroom is heavenly! It boasts an extra-large shower, a stand-alone bathtub, double sinks and a separate toilet with bidet.

Furthermore, you find a high-quality walk-in wardrobe in the room. And to make the experience complete, there is a sizable balcony with views of the beautiful gardens.

As to the other rooms, the most “basic” one is the Elegant Room (30-35 sqm) facing to the main entrance. Then there is the Prestige Room (45-55 sqm) with terrace to the gardens. And on offer is also the Serenity Junior Suite (60 sqm), the room we originally chose. This beautifully decorated space features a balcony to the park and a spacious bathroom with furnishings similar to the Signature Park Suite we had. In addition, there are some more (junior) suites of exceptional quality.

In terms of pricing, we paid 650 € (SFR/US$) per night (Serenity Junior Suite, upgrade to Signature Park Suite). And this in off-season complete with half board, which we found reasonable.

Food

It goes without saying, food was in line with the health wellness retreat’s philosophy, too. You get light, nutritious meals at the Mindful Restaurant yet it is gourmet food too.

My husband and I were on half board. We could choose four courses from the daily changing menu or from the à la carte menu. And we were delighted by what we got! The cuisine comes with a healthy dose of creativity, in both the preparation and presentation.

The chef at Hotel Villa Eden is Philipp Hillebrand who has been in charge of the kitchen since 2019. Before, he used to work with Bobby Braeuer, a two star Michelin chef. He also did an internship with Eckart Witzigmann, an icon of high-end cuisine in the German speaking area (formerly three stars Michelin).

Of course they also cater for those who need or wish for a special diet. For all others there is yet another offer available, the Tasting Menu. We did not try it, but it sounds tempting. You are treated to a sublime dinner in the so-called Tasting Room. They serve you a variety of snacks followed by eight courses (135 €/SFR/US$). A wine pairing is also possible (7 glasses, 70 €/SFR/US$). I am sure it is well worth going for it!

Ambiance/Staff

Villa Eden is a family owned property. Angelika Schmid has been the proprietor since 1993. We caught sight of her several times on our stay. And she was always friendly, professional and attentive.

It is difficult to judge on the ambiance as there were not many guests around when we stayed here. We had the impression of a well-managed hotel. And we always felt well-cared for. Either on our arrival – where we had to undergo a Covid test – or during meals. Here Elisa Gufler, the head of service and sommelier, was responsible. She is a gracious person, engaging and knowledgeable.

After letting you know about our recent South Tyrol stay at Hotel Villa Eden in Merano, now a few details on another great hotel in the area, Hotel Castel in Tirolo near Merano.

Hotel Castel*****^S in Tirolo near Merano

I must say that my two visits to this hotel were longer ago. However, I have followed the developments here and the reviews are still fabulous! Please note in this context that my photos do not show Hotel Castel’s actual appearance. And this due to two reasons. First, the property has undergone several renovations since my staying here. Second, the biggest remodeling project is taking place right now. Find more details later on in this blogpost.

Location

Hotel Castel sits on the slopes of a vineyard high above Merano in the small town of Tirolo near Merano/(Dorf) Tirol bei Meran .

Not far from the hotel you also find the Tyrol Castle towering high above the landscape. It gave the whole Tyrol region its name (a part of the Tyrol belongs to Austria).

In this regard, I have to make some remarks. On the one hand, the location is undoubtedly favorable. The views from here of Merano and its surroundings are stunning.

Furthermore, it is more pleasant here on the slopes in summer time. At this time, Merano – sitting within a basin – can become quite hot and humid. And it is a ten-minute drive to Merano only. On the other hand, if you are on foot, it is quite a walk to the town of Merano (45 minutes) and even more so back to the hotel. Having said that, there is a chairlift between Tirolo and Merano (from 09 a.m. to 7 p.m. resp. 6 p.m.).

Facilities

On site are two restaurants. First, the signature place is the Castel Fine Dining, where Gerhard Wieser’s Michelin two-star cuisine mesmerizes its clientele. Then there is the Castel Restaurant, where the same award-winning chef is responsible for the à la carte concept within the half board arrangement.

My family was on half board on our both stays here some years ago. At the time, we were absolutely delighted by the offerings. Gerhards Wieser was already in charge then. Unbelievably, and fortunately, he has been working at Hotel Castel since 1992!

The Vintage Bar, redesigned 2019 in the style of an Italian bar, is the place to have a drink before or after dinner. Moreover, you get here also beverages, small bites and baked goods from the in-house patisserie during the day. And the bar service takes also place on the stunning terrace, if the weather allows it.

There are two large, heated pools, one indoor, the other outdoor. Please note that the pool you see below is not the current one. They replaced it after our stays by a more contemporary one. Also at your disposal is a spa complete with five saunas and fitness room. It is part of the mentioned ongoing remodeling project. More on that in the next chapter.

Current remodeling project/owners

Hotel Castel is undergoing a remodeling project right now. They are completely reconstructing following building parts: the kitchen, both restaurants, the spa and the reception area.

The story of the hotel and its ownership is quite a special one. The Castel and the owner family go back to 1986. As from this point of time, Evelyne Dobitsch and her family were regular guests at the hotel. When it was for sale in 2001, she fulfilled her dream of running her own hotel and bought in on the occasion of her 50th birthday. Later on, her son Daniel and her daughter in law Maria joined her in managing the resort. And now, on Evelyn Dobitsch’s 70th birthday, the threesome completes their dream of the perfect Castel, as they have always imagined.

Rooms/Pricing

Over the years, family Dobitsch did invest much in order to keep Hotel Castel up to date. All this time, they did not add more guest rooms but did everything to make the best of the existing ones (25 rooms & 20 suites). All of them underwent a renewal in the past years. And as the junior boss, Daniel Dobitsch, puts it in words, following the premise of modern zeitgeist without sacrificing style. I do not have any pictures to offer, but check out for yourselves, the rooms are gorgeous! And all of them have the same amazing view of Merano against the backdrop of the mountain world.

As to the rates, they seem reasonable to me in light of what you get for it. The room, I would probably go for, the Junior Suite Vista (50 sqm, 3rd floor, two rooms, shower & separate bathtub, separate bathroom/toilet) costs 616 € (SFR/US$). And this in the shoulder season and coming with gourmet half-board overseen by a Michelin two star chef.

Staff/Ambiance

I cannot say much to the current staff as I have not recently been to the Castel. But I can point out the following facts. There are 45 employees at work, many of them are long-term ones. This is true for Iris Pelizzoni (hotel manager), Gerhard Wieser (head chef), Kristina Ciapaite (housekeeping) or Simon Oberhofer (restaurant manager).

As to the owner, I remember Evelyne Dobitsch as accommodative and attentive host. I found the hotel ideal for discerning guests who appreciate personal service, stylish casual ambience and maximum privacy. And of course, if you are a gourmet in search of best (Michelin) food, you are here in the right place!

Overall

Merano in the South Tyrol in northern Italy, where more inhabitants speak German, is the perfect symbiosis of Italian and German culture. And you do not have to decide between pre-Alpine feels and Mediterranean vibes! Because you have it both thanks to a mild micro-climate of its own. While the town of Merano sits in a basin, snow-capped mountains rise around it.

And hotels are ubiquitous here, which is a good thing when it comes to receiving value for the money spent! Of course, this spa town offers accommodation in the upscale segment, too. I let you know about two great luxury hotels in Merano, Hotel Villa Eden in Merano and Hotel Castel in Tirolo near Merano. Do not think long and go for it as soon as the opportunity arises!

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Date of last stay: November 2020

The post 2 great luxury hotels in the spa town of Merano/Italy first appeared on Swiss Traveler