Castel Hörtenberg

The staff were warm and friendly, and the character of the property made our stay enjoyable. Still, service didn't feel as professional as I'd expect from a five-star hotel. It could be disorganized: nobody was at reception when we arrived, our reservation couldn't be found at first, and the checkout bill was wrong. At times it felt as if enthusiastic amateurs were running the place rather than experienced professionals. With more training and polish, the service could match the setting. We stayed in two rooms, one spacious with a sofa and coffee facilities, plus drinks from the bar, and another much smaller one. Both were comfortable, though their size and layout differed a lot. Breakfast had a decent range. The spa was a highlight, with several saunas, Turkish baths, and an outdoor pool, perfect for unwinding after sightseeing. Free electric bike rentals were a great extra, and the mountain scenery was stunning. The hotel is in a charming old castle-like building, about a five-minute walk from Bolzano's city center. It's close to town and also a handy starting point for exploring the surrounding mountains.

Tomasso looked after us incredibly well and gave us great recommendations. Samir, the sommelier, picked the wine just right, and we liked the restaurant food enough to have dinner there two nights in a row. The whole hotel felt magical, from the hospitality and service to the room, spa, and lovely clean heated pool. If I could give everything a sixth star, I would. I hadn't planned to return to Bolsano, but after this stay we'll be back very soon!

The staff are the real standout, they go out of their way to make sure you have a great stay. The rooms are spacious, well arranged, and have incredibly comfortable beds. The castle has been remodeled beautifully, with no expense spared. It feels warm, modern, and sexy, just right for couples. The spa is great too, with several dry saunas, a steam room, a salt room, and a heated pool kept around 90F all year. We first stumbled on Castel Hörtenberg in 2022 and have returned three times since. It's one of our top three hotels in the world. You can walk to the train station in about 10 minutes, the Ritten gondola in five, and downtown in around eight.

We had the most comfortable bed we've ever slept in, and the staff were friendly and down to earth. There were good drink and breakfast choices, and it's well placed for walking to the old town or the cable car. The rooms are large and comfortable, and the inside and outside are both beautiful. For the luxury and class of the place, the prices are good. I'd highly recommend a night here. Thanks again for a really memorable stay.