Hotel Stefanie

Our apartment-style double room was spacious, with plenty of space for hiking gear and backpacks. The little kitchenette and dining table suited us perfectly. We were very happy with the food, the clean rooms, and the service at this lovely small hotel.

The dinner was excellent, and the chef is outstanding. Housekeeping deserves a lot of credit too, the ladies were hardworking and friendly. But there were several things that made our stay difficult, especially with my parents, who are 80 and 85 and no longer very mobile. Our spacious panoramic room on the second floor had a south-facing balcony and a very nice view. The beds were decent, but the walls were thin. The bathroom was traditional, and we were told only the first-floor rooms and bathrooms had been renovated. A kettle and a comfortable sitting area would have been welcome. When the temperature dropped from 15 to 5 degrees Celsius, the heating was rationed and came on only for a few hours a day. My elderly parents’ ground-floor room got very cold, so they were given an electric heater. I don’t understand why the heating wasn’t left on when temperatures were in the single digits, with guests able to adjust it themselves. Getting a naturally lit table in the restaurant seemed to come down to luck. Ours was at the back in a completely dark spot. Our request to move to a brighter area was refused, and even when a table for four by the windows opened up after some guests checked out, it wasn’t offered to us. We still enjoyed dinner, but could only have the appealing, if not exceptional, breakfast with the lights on. In cold or bad weather there was nowhere to sit except our room. We asked if the family could use the dining room during the day, perhaps to play a board game, but were told no because the tables had to be set for dinner after breakfast. Maybe they also didn’t want to turn on the lights and heating. We ended up going regularly to a wonderful nearby hotel for coffee and games, where we were warmly welcomed into the lobby. At Hotel Stefanie, the owner, Ms. Geier, explained that guests are expected to be out on excursions or hikes between breakfast and dinner. That’s a real challenge if you’re travelling with older family members who can’t get around easily. It would probably be easier in warm weather, when the rather pleasant outdoor area is available.

The owners gave us a very friendly welcome, and the hotel is in a peaceful spot about a ten-minute walk from the bus stop. Our recently renovated room was practical and cozy, with thoughtful details like plenty of hooks, space for luggage, and storage. From the south-facing balcony we had a nice view of Meran. Breakfast was fresh and plentiful. Dinner was excellent, with a choice of two starters and two main courses, plus a varied salad bar. The senior chef also gave us useful tips for walking routes. You can start several hikes right from the hotel, and the hiking bus makes various cable cars easy to reach. We’d happily recommend this hotel!

Sylvie greeted us with a smile that stayed with us through the whole visit. She and her staff are lovely and really special. Surrounded by apple orchards, the hotel and its green space make a peaceful place for a quiet holiday. A wonderful experience.