Matailerhof

The pool is a highlight, with umbrellas, loungers, and a fantastic view across the valley. The start of the "Tappeiner" trail is just 100 meters away. It took a bit of effort to find the property, but I followed the owners' directions instead of GPS and made it to this little spot overlooking Merano. The wood-paneled apartment is cozy and charming, though it wasn’t particularly clean. The bathroom has an XL shower.

The place was very hard to get to, and the owners didn’t seem very attentive to guests. There wasn’t even a bottle of water waiting when we arrived. We’ve stayed at more than a hundred B&Bs in Italy, and in our opinion this was one of the worst.

The apartment is spacious, comfortable, well kept, and heated very well. It has two bedrooms, an eat-in kitchen, a bathroom, and a closet. The owner is available throughout the day and provided public transport tickets, access to some local museums, and useful directions to the Merano Christmas markets, about 3 km away. I booked at Matailerhof to explore the Merano area and nearby towns, and was pleasantly surprised. It’s in Tirolo (Dorf Tirol), though finding it can be tricky because the address differs from the GPS directions. The confirmation email has directions, but I set my GPS to "Tirolo, Via Laurin No. 19" and reached a roundabout, where the private road to the property begins. With its outdoor pool, it seems like a good place to stay in winter or summer.

The ride up is a bit of an adventure, but the location is stunning and that’s part of the holiday charm. I came back to Matailerhof after last visiting as a child, and I’m impressed by how beautiful the farm has become. Everything is very well maintained, and the landlady is so nice. The bread delivery is well worth it, and there’s wine and apple juice to try. The washing machine is great too. We’d love to return. Warm regards.