Italy - Site map   Italy - Places to stay Italy - Things to see Italy - Things to do Italy - Bring Italy Home   Italy - Email Us


Alpine Chalet Hotel

Authentic Italy - Best-Value Hotel - Green Vacations - Romantic Historic Lodging

     

Character: Historical mountain chalet with charming guest rooms and killer views.
Advantages: A great stopover for anyone coming from Austria; visit the picturesque local towns and do some skiing or hiking before continuing your Art Marathon.
Location: Thirty minutes from Bolzano, in Siusi (Seis), near the largest high-alpine pasture in Europe, 75 km of marked footpaths, 20 ski lifts and 50 km of cross-country trails. Click here to see a map.
Size: 27 rooms, including singles, doubles and two-room suites.
Features: Elevator, telephone, safe, television, private bathrooms with telephone and hair dryer. Many rooms have balconies. The property is in the mountains, so air conditioning is rarely needed. Good local restaurant; bar; sauna; swimming pool. Price includes breakfast.
Minimum stay: Two nights.
Disadvantages: We can't think of any.
Car needed: Yes.

Nestled at the feet of the massive peaks of the Schlern region, Seis (Siusi) first became a destination for travelers thanks to the Brennerbahn, a railway built to cross the Brenner Pass in 1867. In those days, a horse-drawn "express" carriage rolled in once a day from Waidbruck, bearing the wealthy gentry of nearby Bozen (Bolzano) to the pretty villas they built for their summer retreat. The area's superb climate - dry and almost always sunny - kept them coming for decades. Eventually the casual traveler discovered this remote ShangriLa, thanks in part to a gentleman from Meran (Merano) who moved the entire staff and furnishings of his hotel up the valley at the end of the ski season, thus creating a new summer resort 1000 meters above sea level.

Before that happened, back in the days when this was the well-kept secret of the Tyrolean aristocracy, someone invited the Russian Tsar's last ambassador at the Austrian emperor's Court up for a month in the mountains. The diplomat was so enchanted by the verdant valley that he purchased an idyllic farmstead at the edge of the Laranzer wood. Inspired by the dramatic backdrop of the Alps, in 1909 he ordered renowned architects Amonn and Fingerle to build a villa whose silhouette echoed the very peaks which framed it. After the Russian Revolution, the Count wisely decided to make this little corner of heaven home for himself and his wife. In 1921, economic crises and inflation caused him to convert his villa into a private hotel. Here he lived until 1936 when it was bought by the grandfather of the present owner. During the Count's residency, this was the meeting place for the Russian aristocracy then living in Seis. Over the past century many famous celebrities have called this elegant mansion their home away from home, including Marcello Mastroianni, King Frederic August of Saxony and his family, Henrik Ibsen, the Duke of Aosta, and Arturo Toscanini.

All these illustrious guests stayed, as will you, in twenty-seven charming rooms reached by elevator. They are divided into three categories: Rosentraum is a double room measuring about 375 square feet, with a balcony facing south; Dornroschen is a small suite measuring 415 square feet, with a living room with double sleep sofa, plus a separate double bedroom, as well as a balcony with southern views; Turm is a 480-square-foot suite with a living room, separate bedroom, and panoramic balcony. Each type of room has plenty of room for an extra bed, and features a private bathroom with hair dryer and bathtub/shower, plus telephone, safe, and television.

The fascinating landscape and mild climate are only two of the many advantages of this incomparable holiday resort, tucked away in its valley just across the border from Austria. The world famous Seiser Alm, the largest high-alpine pasture in Europe, lies only eight kilometers away and offers unlimited possibilities for serious athletes or amateur nature lovers. Hikers, trekkers and climbers will find 75 kilometers of marked footpaths through the Schlern National Park, home to boundless flora and fauna (best appreciated in June and September). Many of these trails were used by the pilgrims of yore, as testified by the numerous tiny chapels and memorials flanking them. Skiers, who will find the least number of tourists and the best quality of snow in January, can choose from twenty different lifts and 50 km of Langlaufloipen (cross country trails). Only a 10-minute walk from the hotel is the charming alpine village, where you will be able to organize forays to a 12-hole golf course, outdoor and indoor tennis courts, squash, minigolf, riding schools, paragliding, fishing, and bowling. History buffs and children will delight from a visit to Castle Prösels, only one of the many medieval fortresses in the vicinity. Or leave your car at the hotel and take a bus to Bozen, Brixen (Bressanone) and Meran, whose charm can rival any Tuscan hilltown's. Just slightly farther away are stately Trento and picturesque Innsbruck. At the end of the day, relax at the hotel's panoramic swimming pool, or have a sauna or beauty treatment at the brand new Wellness Center.

     

CLOSED APRIL 6-MAY 21, 2010


For this property:
Half board (includes dinner): Add 30 Euro/day per person
Children in the same room with their parents have from 10% to 70% discounts depending on the time of year

It is possible to get to the hotel by bus from Bolzano (the bus stop is just a five-minute walk from the hotel). There is also a bus which runs frequently between the local villages, and a skilift right in town. However, unless you are staying for an extended period you will find it is easier to tour the area by car.
Mountain bikes are available for hire at the hotel.
There is a restaurant in the hotel, as well as a bar which is open until 11 p.m.

Please note that it is not possible to guarantee Internet access at any property, because the property does not generate the service, it merely provides access from a server. If the server experiences any kind of problem at all, the property regrets it cannot be responsible for any inconvenience caused by subsequent lack of service.

Lodgings Nearby
Things To Do Near This Property
Other Authentically Italian Properties
Other Best-Value Properties
Other Green Vacation Spots
Other Romantic Historic Lodgings