Hotel Hohenwart

Set in the hills above the Val Venosta (or Vinschgau Valley) amid vineyards and orchards, the Hotel Hohenwart opened in 1957, one of the first lodges in the area. The same family still manages it today, lending a warmth and personality to the place that keeps regular guests from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy returning each year. Family histories and photographs can be found on the walls past the lobby's rich wooden desk and rough stone walls. The halls open up into grand rooms with ornate wood ceilings, curving staircases, and circular balconies, with traditional wood furniture, modern artwork, and antiques arranges in nooks and by windows for picturesque lounging. The atmosphere is convivial, with plenty of activities for both adults and children, should they so choose, although the spa and extensive grounds provide heaps of romance, too. Signs with German as the top language and staff wearing traditional Tyrolean clothing add to the unique atmosphere.

Overlooking the mountain town of Scena, Hotel Hohenwart is walking distance from the town and a short drive from the spa town of Merano. The Merano 2000 ski area is also nearby, with peaks that can be reached by a cable car from the town in seven minutes. Though Italian in nationality, South Tyrol is marked by its Austro-Bavarian heritage as much as its mountainous geography. Italy’s northernmost province, it's known for its winter sports, wealthy economy, and German-speaking inhabitants. The town of Bolzano and its Dolomiti airport is a 33-minute drive to the south. The closest major Italian airport is in Verona, a two-hour drive away.

With only 80 rooms and suites divided into more than 15 different types and spread across three buildings, all with different furnishings and decor, Hotel Hohenwart offers a wide variety in style of lodging, although all rooms have private balconies with mountain views. Some rooms are rustic-style apartments furnished in natural pine, while others have dark-colored fabrics and rich walnut furniture. Many display the local Tyrolean character that reflects the region's German heritage, while others, renovated in 2013, are sleekly modern with polished hardwood floors, accent lighting, handmade pear-wood furniture, and colorful retro chairs. The bathrooms are equally diverse, some exhibiting more traditional luxury, with white tile, separate whirlpool tubs, and small walk-in showers; the updated bathrooms incorporate more natural wood than tile, and have larger walk-in showers, bidets, and little extras like foot stools. The private balconies or patios have comfortable outdoor furniture and spectacular views. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, safes, and mini-fridges, but no coffeemakers.

Visits to this hotel begin with a glass of Prosecco and a program for the week, with daily activities listed for the whole family, including hikes of varying levels of difficulty. In summer, there are guided high altitude excursions and climbing courses for children -- for when they're not playing in the indoor play room, on the climbing wall, or at the outdoor playground. Three pools include an indoor pool with a hot tub, and an outdoor heated pool with a great sun deck; the third pool is an outdoor, saltwater glass marvel on the spa's rooftop, with 360-degree views of the valley and surrounding mountains. An expansive, full-service spa opened in 2011, with multiple treatment rooms and a family sauna for children under 16. The adult-only second floor has more saunas, steam baths, aromatic caves, sensory showers, and relaxation rooms, some with mountain views. A modern fitness center has a large selection of treadmills and cardio machines. A free, hot buffet breakfast can be taken onto the outdoor terrace, and the afternoons see buffets of light snacks and cakes on offer. The restaurant serves a blend of Alpine and Mediterranean cuisine, using local products that include cheese, herbs, honey, smoked sausages, and meat from nearby farms.