4 Best Hotels in Bolzano (Bozen), The Dolomites

You’ll get a warm welcome at this charming family-run hotel in the Sarentino Valley, which has incorporated natural materials into the design and an innovative philosophy into the menus, including a substantial cellar of natural wines. Bright, large rooms use local Alpine woods and have sleek, modern furnishings and views into the Sarntal Alps. Restaurant Alpes serves traditional dishes with a modern twist; La Fuga (Laboratory for Future Gastronomy), held for part of the year, offers a modern take on natural food and wines, served over many courses. Ask to get a peek at the impressive wine cellar, which holds more than 600 types of wine, mostly natural. The expansive spa offers a wide range of relaxing treatments, including pine, juniper, and hay baths, as well as an impressive outdoor “farmer’s bath,” with two saunas, a pool, an outdoor relaxation room, and two outdoor wood tubs. If you're after a vacation from your vacation, this is it.

Individually designed guest rooms in a centuries-old Bolzano landmark feature modern furnishings with clean lines, as well as contemporary art paired with 19th-century paintings and sketches. The small and intimate surroundings are enhanced by attentive service, perks like whirlpool baths, and views of the Gothic cathedral across the square. Guests can also use the Parkhotel Laurin's swimming pool.

The modern and the ancient contrast beautifully in the contemporary interiors of this renovated palace, only about a 10-minute walk from lively Piazza Walther, but in a quiet neighborhood that seems a world away. Modern, neutral-color guest rooms feature high ceilings, comfy beds, and sitting areas; good-size bathrooms have double sinks and large showers. For a more historical feel, the 936-square-foot Stube Suite has frescoed ceilings in the bedroom and park views. The Cantina Hörtenberg restaurant tucked down a flight of stairs, inside an atmospheric former dungeon, offers a fusion of South Tyrol and Mediterranean dishes. Save time for a swim in the heated outdoor pool, as well as a stop in the spa, with two saunas and a steam room; there’s also a well-equipped gym accessible 24 hours a day.

An exercise in Art Nouveau opulence, presiding over a large park in the middle of town, this elegant hotel features art-filled guest rooms, handsome public spaces, and an exceptional restaurant. The register is filled with the names of Europe's grand nobility, including Archduke Franz Ferdinand (whose murder in Sarajevo sparked World War I). The bar is popular with locals, especially for Jazz Fridays (held from October to May). Restaurant Laurin is superb, using only local ingredients and bringing a lighter sensibility to rustic regional dishes; ConTanima restaurant, in a glass house within the hotel gardens, serves up wonderfully creative cuisine.