Ferienwohnung Stocknerhof

The Wi-Fi was so slow it was barely usable, and there was no phone signal inside, which left us cut off. We also heard the neighbors using the bathroom as if they were in our bedroom, and a dog barked at night and early in the morning. I couldn't tell whether it belonged to another guest or the owners. We kept the curtains shut for privacy because the road and another hotel were so close. The windows faced the shady side, so the apartment stayed dark. Our bed squeaked with every movement, too. I don't usually write bad reviews, but I was really disappointed. I booked through Booking.com because the listing photos and reviews showed off a lovely valley view. Instead, we got a dark apartment at the back, overlooking another hotel, the road, and the parking lot. When I asked at reception, they openly said the view apartments were already taken. It seems guests are assigned a good or poor view at random, and you only find out once you arrive, even though Booking.com shows only the valley-facing apartments. I've found better and cheaper places farther down the valley. Maranza also felt inconveniently out of the way for visiting other towns in the Puster Valley, and there isn't much in the town itself. I'd picked this place for the promised view, but the listing felt quite misleading. Maybe we were unlucky.

The Puster Valley is wonderful, with so much to see, and we left this morning feeling sad to go. I can't say the same for the Stocknerhof apartments. The place wasn't very clean, and the bed and bathroom linens were poor. Some dishes were so encrusted they couldn't be used. I'd requested an apartment for three people when booking, but we were given a very small studio. Once the third bed was added, there was hardly room to move. I was disappointed.

The shops are down in the village, about a 10-15 minute walk, with an uphill walk back. There aren't many shops in Maranza, though I doubt people come here expecting to shop. The house has stairs only, which could make getting to the upper floors hard for elderly guests. I stayed here last year and am coming back soon to the same apartment. It's a small studio, comfortable, quiet, and practical for one or two people. The view is breathtaking. There's a bike garage, and parking under the house, depending on how many guests are staying.

The Fischnaller family were so kind and friendly, and gave us lots of useful tips on places to see around the valley. We visited Brunico, Bressanone, San Candido, Bolzano, the Maranza cable car, the Earth Pyramids in Perca, Cortina d'Ampezzo, the Stalle Pass on the Austrian border, Lake Braies, Lake Misurina, Lake Anterselva, Lake Dobbiaco, Lake Landro, the Campanile di Curon at Lake Resia, the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, and Monguelfo. We stayed at the Stocknerhof apartments in Maranza in the second half of July. Our reserved apartment was very spacious and comfortable. The location was handy for reaching all the beautiful places in the Pusteria Valley. South Tyrol is wonderful! With mountains, forests, and wide stretches of untouched green all around, it felt like Heidiland. It was so peaceful, with birdsong and even deer visible from the balcony. We had a lovely time and will definitely return. We highly recommend the place. All the best, and keep up the good work! Roberto, Simona, and our Bernese Mountain Dog, Balto!