When heading south from Innsbruck, Austria, towards Bolzano, Italy, one can return to the 15th century. The village of Villanders and especially Ansitz Steinbock Hotel transport visitors right back in history. The lofty stone building of this residence, which could be called “At Capricorn”, offers friendly hospitality and magnificent accommodation.
Surprising Mansion
People go to South Tyrol for Nature and the breathtaking mountain scenery. However, in Villanders and especially in Ansitz Steinbock Hotel, one can experience much more. The harmony of the best of the past and the present can be absorbed. And, above all, peace and well-being. Elisabeth Rabensteiner, the hotel owner, takes care of all of this together with her team.
Everything has been sensitively and lovingly renovated. This includes a Gothic arch, a paved inner courtyard, a facade fresco with the coat of arms of the former owners, and the wooden interior décor. The exterior of the perfectly preserved hotel building guards a rare gift in its interior – a symbiosis of Gothic salons and modern design. Guests feel truly great here. The hotel has a total of 12 bedrooms, so guests are really well taken care of. A pleasant surprise is that each room has its own sauna.
Enjoy South Tyrol
The discovery of the unexpected continues in the three restaurants that are part of the hotel. They are the seat of joie de vivre, good food and drink. Tomek Kinder rules the kitchen. With love for local tradition, he invites diners to enjoy Tyrolean dishes, for example, a five-course Alpine dinner, in which he proudly presents ripe mountain tomatoes, delicious consommé, and their home-bred Angus beef.
Charming Surroundings
Villanders lies at an altitude of 880 metres above sea level in the middle of South Tyrol, just a few kilometres from Chiusa, the town of artists. The cobbled streets tempt visitors to take romantic walks, amidst the captivating mountain panorama of the Dolomites, crowned by the Alpe di Siusi peaks. Over 20 cable cars and lifts enable skiing on the almost 60 km of slopes. However, thanks to the connection with the Val Gardena ski area, the pistes can be extended to a respectable 175 km. Snowboarders will also be delighted, and cross-country skiers – both beginners and professionals – will be in their element. This is a paradise for cross-country skiers.
A stress-free family holiday? Is it even possible? Does it sound like a dream? At the Reiters Reserve resort in Austria, they know how to do it: Parents need to entertain their children, but they would also like to relax a bit or play golf. Grandparents like to spend the day with their children and grandchildren, but they would prefer a little necessary peace in the mornings and evenings…
Some are here to play golf, others to kitesurf or to lounge under a sugarcane umbrella, gazing out to sea on one of the endless beaches of fine white and golden sand.
In today's busy world, when overwhelmed by obligations and an endless stream of information, we often forget about our own needs. However, recognising and respecting them is the basis of a harmonious and fulfilling life. One of the key concepts that helps us to find a balance between self-care and consideration for others is healthy egoism.