Forestis Dolomites in Brixen, Italy

Forestis is the perfect home base for mountain lovers looking to experience adventure in Europe.

This luxurious hotel can be found on a perch high above the clouds, with views of the mountains. The adults-only resort is surrounded by dense forest (hence its name) and combines outdoor activities and wellness with relaxation. Forestis is an all-year-round destination. In the summer there are many hiking trails, and during the winter, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and other outdoor activities can be enjoyed.

And don’t be deceived by the chic, modern design—this is a property with a past firmly rooted in the region’s history. The main building used to be a mountain retreat for the royal Austro Hungarian family. Some came here to recover from tuberculosis, while others came in order to breathe the fresh mountain air. The area was Italianized after World War II, when Austria-Hungary fell. The property sat vacant for 100 years before it was purchased, renovated, reopened and opened as a hotel by 2020. In addition to the original main building, Forestis has added two large towers, which house its Tower and Penthouse Suites—the views are stunning.

Forestis is a modern, minimalist design that feels like it belongs in a magazine. The details are minimal but well-curated. A concrete spiral staircase is found in the spa. There are also curved banquettes that serve as dinner tables. wine caveThe stone terrace is dotted with deep outdoor sofas and blankets made of shearling. The rooms have neutral decor with cream, gray and black, as well as wood walls and ceilings. Even the food store and clothing boutique on site have a carefully curated feel. On the long wooden shelves, you might find a hat with an embroidered tree logo or a few pasta bags arranged in a certain way.

There’s a reason why the hotel has kept the interiors understated. Forestis sends a clear message: the outdoors is the main attraction here, and the Dolomites snow-capped peaks are the star.

You can be a hiking enthusiastThis spa hotel is perfect for anyone who loves winter sports, food, or a quiet retreat. You can go on a guided ski or hiking trip, enjoy a seven-course dinner with a professional guide and a meditation session, or simply relax in your cozy spa corner before going for a swim in one of the heated indoor or outdoor pools. The entire experience is complemented by a breathtaking mountain backdrop.

Staying at Forestis Dolomites is a great experience.

The Rooms

Forestis Dolomites has 62 rooms, including suites. I’ll cut to the chase—if you’re going to stay here, you should absolutely splurge on a Tower Suite. It’s hard to impress me as a hotel reviewer who has been doing it for eight years. But the incredible mountain view I had from my room was something that made me pinch myself. The view from my suite was breathtaking. entry-level rooms The views from the main building may be nice, but they just can’t compare. Standard rooms are still cozy, but have single-paned windows.

The Tower Suites are so high up that you feel as if you’re in a forest. The floor-to-ceiling glass windows open onto a terrace with an outdoor daybed. This is a great place to relax after a spa session, to read a book or to just enjoy the beautiful setting. Even during a rainy day, I couldn’t get enough of the covered terrace—the gentle rain only added to the hotel’s peaceful ambiance, and watching the mist roll over the mountains was the perfect moody backdrop.

You can also enjoy the view from the communal patio and outdoor sofas. You can also choose to go for a standard SuiteThese suites still have bigger windows with better views but from a lower perspective than the Tower Suites. These suites have slim balconies, so you can still enjoy the fresh mountain air. They also feature separate seating areas and inviting sofas.

Each tower comes with a deluxe ice cream cone. Penthouse SuiteEach of these chalets has over 2,100 square foot space, a fireplace and a sauna with spruce logs. They also have an outdoor shower and a private pool that offers a breathtaking view. If you prefer a standalone chalet, Forestis sister property is located just up the street. Odles Lodge.

The rooms are equipped with air conditioning and heating. They also have writing desks and ample closet space. Bathrooms feature heated floors, heated towel racks, and showers with rainfall heads. No wellness hotel would be complete without robes and slippers. The Forestis robes are forest green, and they have hoods.

The two postcards that were on the desk at my arrival was a nice touch. The front desk staff will send them free of charge to guests who fill out the postcards. My parents and grandparents were thrilled with this vintage souvenir.

Food and Drink

Hotel restaurants are often not the best representations for local cuisine. The dinners at Forestis, as a foodie myself, were among the best I’ve had on my entire Italian holiday. Here, food is a priority.

A forest-to-table experience, dinner is a chef’s tasting menuYou can select a four- or seven-course meal depending on how hungry you are. The tasting menu will be included in the price of your stay if you choose half-board, full-board or a combination. A la carte is always available.

Menus change daily depending on the available ingredients. local, seasonal ingredientsThere’s plenty to keep you entertained, even if you plan on staying for several days. Highlights from some of the meals I enjoyed were homemade tortellini in a deliciously light and frothy sauce, wild herb dumplings with king oyster mushrooms, a perfectly tender veal rump in a mustard seed sauce, confit potatoes with a generous pour of alpine cheese and topped with grated summer truffle, crème brûlée topped with fresh raspberry jam and spruce. As I write this, my mouth is watering.

The same table is used for breakfast and dinner. Waitstaff remembered my coffee orders or noticed I’d eaten the whole loaf of homemade bread, and left extras for me the following day. Breakfast includes pastries, hand-pressed juices and fresh fruit. There is also an a-la carte menu if you’d like the kitchen to prepare you eggs, pancakes or omelets.

Just off the lobby, you can find a bar that serves light snacks, lunch favorites such as burgers, sandwiches, and beer. You can also enjoy wine, cocktails, and beer. In a dark, moody setting, the cocktails have a similar sense of place to the rest of property. Ingredients like local berries and herbs, fir leaves, and smoky wooden flavors are often used.

The hotel has recently opened. new restaurant space and a wine tasting room Yera opened its doors in June. The new dining area has a menu that is lighter but offers more variety and choices than the bar lunch menu. While the new tasting room, which is located at the bottom of a flight stairs and designed to make you feel like you are in a cave filled with wine, was built to give off the illusion of being inside a winery. The tasting room is available for private events and tastings.

Activities and Amenities

Forestis is the perfect playground for outdoor enthusiasts all year round. Summer hiking trails are right outside our doors. We also offer complimentary morning guided hikes that are tailored to your level of fitness and ability. Winter, when the landscape becomes covered in snow, can be replaced by guided skiing or snowshoeing outings.

There are also yoga and meditation rooms. Yoga, meditation, and stretching classes are offered free of charge on a weekly basis. There are a variety of cakes and snacks available each afternoon in the lobby.

You can find hats and water bottles in the onsite shop, as well as sweaters, jackets and vests. You’ll also find a nearby food shop, where you can buy everything from chocolates to jams and homemade pasta.

Staff are also extremely attentive and nothing is missed. Valet parking is complimentary. We were welcomed with a hand-pressed fruit juice on a wooden plate with a pine branch. We returned to our room after a long day of hiking and found not only a clean bed, but also clean boots.

The Spa

Forestis is centered around the spa, both literally and spiritually. A heated indoor/outdoor pool overlooks the mountains. Relax on the cozy daybeds or nooks to take in the views between trips to saunas and pools. The spaces can be enjoyed without having to book any treatments. It’s the perfect place to hang out on rainy days.

If you want to go to the next (pun intended) level, climb the concrete spiral staircase. You’ll find several treatment rooms. Standard massages, pedicures, and facials are offered, but they still feature local touches. The stones and wood pieces I selected for my hot stone treatment were based on what I felt intuitively. They included stress relief, better sleeping, calming my mind and clarity.

Other unique treatment options are available as well, including healing tree circle ceremony based on ancient Celtic practices and an energy flow therapy that helps restore inner balance by reconnecting the emotional field with the mental field.

Offerings Family-Friendly

This hotel is suitable for guests aged 14 years and over. The hotel is dog friendly, as I observed several dogs, big and small, taking advantage of the nearby hiking trails and enjoying the hotel. If you request it, the hotel can provide you with a dog bowl and bed in your suite. You can also dine with your dog at a separate area.

Accessibility, Sustainability and Sustainability

Forestis is built with natural, locally-sourced materials. Hotel ethos is built on respecting the local environment. Property has taken care not to disturb its natural surroundings. The hotel offers guests the option to opt out of daily towel and housekeeping changes. This allows the hotel to use its time and resources for planting trees.

Forestis rooms are currently not available.

Location

Forestis can be found in Brixen (Italy), in the Dolomites. Rent a car to get to the property. You will need to climb up steep winding roads to a height nearly 6,000 ft above sea level. The drive is worth it because of the tranquil and secluded destination.

Innsbruck Airport (INN) in Innsbruck, Austria, is about an hour and a half drive to the north. Valerio Catullo Airport (VRN) is approximately three hours away to the south. Innsbruck Airport, Austria (INN), is located about an hour-and-a-half away from the hotel. Valerio Catullo Airport, Italy (VRN), is approximately three hours south.

Santa Maddalena panorama trail was my favorite of the many hiking and skiing trails in the area. The trailhead for the loop is only 30 minutes from your hotel. It’s a beautiful, easy hike with views that make you feel as if you are in “The Sound of Music.” Pragser Wildsee, the lake with its Instagram-famous wood boats, is only an hour and half away.

Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the During the Winter Holiday Season. Christmas markets in Brixen Shop for local craft, enjoy the lights and warm up with some mulled wines and biscuits.

Book Now

Full or half-board is the best way to make the most of your trip. Forestis offers delicious meals that you’ll want to enjoy at least some of the time.

Forestis Dolomites forms part of American Express’ Fine Hotels + Resorts If you book a stay on the Amex Express Travel site with a travel card that qualifies, you can enjoy perks such as late checkout, an early check-in and daily breakfast for two. The hotel also belongs to Small Luxury Hotels of the WorldThe program allows you to earn points and redeem them on an array of luxury, independent hotels located around the world.

Get special rates on nights at Forestis Dolomites Start from as low as $850

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