Silena

We spent five nights at Silena Hotel in June and loved how peaceful it was, surrounded by nature. The weather was great too, which made the stay even nicer. The food and service were consistently good, and everything felt well looked after without being overdone. We’d love to come back in winter and see what it’s like covered in snow.

We spent three weeks at SILENA, and it became one of our most memorable wellness hotel stays. The staff were the biggest part of that. They were kind and genuinely welcoming, and the small thoughtful touches each day made us feel at home. We even made new friends while we were there. I also have several dietary restrictions, but the kitchen went out of its way to make lovely meals for me instead of simply leaving things off the plate. They made me a dairy-free crème brûlée and adapted a cordon bleu to suit my needs, which made me feel very well cared for. The wellness area was spotless, beautifully designed, and clearly looked after with care. The interior throughout the hotel was harmonious and full of personal touches, with spaces that felt both relaxing and inspiring. Outside, the natural scenery was breathtaking, the guided hikes were well organized, and the bar made exquisite cocktails. Thank you, SILENA, for such a nourishing and unforgettable stay. We can’t wait to return.

The view from the top floor across the valley was fabulous. In late winter and early spring, the grass, trees, and mountains have unbelievably beautiful colors. My photos might look filtered, but that’s just the real landscape in all its rugged seasonal beauty. We stayed for a week in February 2023, and the whole place felt full of warmth and joy. The black cubical hotel sits in a small village in a skiing area. The owner’s family are present in the hotel. One of them welcomed us and showed us to our room, and we later bumped into them and had a chat. The rest of the staff were kind, helpful, and caring too. There’s so much thoughtful detail in the decor. To me, it feels like someone has considered what would make each room more welcoming. The weekly program on a blackboard added a personal touch. There are several spots around the hotel for relaxing, with books and magazines to browse and fireplaces to make things even cozier. The breakfast coffees, cappuccino and flat white, were excellent. The coffee is still in my top ten. You can also make fresh juice by choosing your own fruit and vegetables and putting them through the press. The alcoholic drinks include familiar choices and some new flavors. The food looked as good as it tasted. It wasn’t often fancy, mostly simple, high-quality ingredients prepared in sometimes unusual ways. There was a small yoga class every morning from 0800-0900, with two or three different teachers. We tried the pool and massages, but not the other spa facilities. Lounging by the pool on the giant beds was very relaxing.

The evening bar with its library was a nice place to spend time, and the Negroni was tasty. Breakfast and dinner were also delicious and beautifully presented, and the restaurant staff were great. We booked late and got a lovely suite over two floors. The open bathroom layout isn’t really my thing, but the outside blinds that made the room completely dark at night were fantastic. The terrace had nice views, though it only had two ordinary garden chairs and a random sun bed that didn’t suit the hotel’s style. The hotel itself is beautiful, with scenic surroundings, and the team were friendly, helpful, and engaging throughout our week. The gym is one of the better hotel gyms I’ve seen. The wellness area is beautiful, especially the Onsen Pool. I liked the outside pool, but the area around it felt uninspiring, and the wooden floor looked a hundred years old. The garden is lovely, but the sun loungers are standard. I’ve seen better in the area, perhaps some gazebo loungers would suit it. There’s lots of parking, including a garage. The hotel is up in the mountains, about 30 minutes from Brixen. There’s a lift up a mountain that’s free to use, with plenty of hiking options, but otherwise there isn’t much to do. I’d definitely return. 8.5/10.