Set above the town of Bressanone in South Tyrol, Forestis is a bucket-list destination for anyone seeking peace and quiet high up in the Dolomites
At 1,800 metres on the southern slope of Mount Plose, embraced by views over the Peitlerkofel massif and sunsets that never disappoint, Forestis is a bucket-list destination for anyone seeking peace and quiet high up in the Dolomites. Set above the town of Bressanone in South Tyrol, guests have easy access to the ski slopes in winter and hiking trails in the summer, if they can leave the hotel’s serenity at all.
Designed by Armin Sader, an architect based in Brixen, Forestis fits right at home in the mountains with its natural geometry. The stone house, originally constructed in 1912 as part of a sanatorium project, is connected to three timber towers inspired by the surrounding trees. Inside, a minimalist palette of spruce, stone and glass gets its fair share of natural light, filtered through expansive windows that draw in uninterrupted views of the Dolomites.
Between the rooms on offer, the crown jewel is the 1,200-square-metre villa, built for as many as 10 people. Remodelled as a private retreat with a concierge, butler and private chef available at all times, the villa is drenched in all-day sunshine and completely sheltered from view. Guests also have the luxury of a home cinema, wine cellar, private spa and a large private garden with pool.
Couples can instead opt for the two-storey penthouse, built with a spacious living room with an open fireplace, a terrace that opens to the south, and a rooftop pool with a sauna. The tower suite, with its floor-to-ceiling windows, isn’t too shabby either, and neither are the suites, each with a south-facing balcony offering a direct view of the mountains.
While the nearby villages are worth exploring for their markets and traditional craft shops, it’s easy to stay in with everything else on offer at Forestis. The hotel’s main restaurant, named Panorama for obvious reasons (read: again, the view), never feels crowded, and Yera, the hotel’s new immersive restaurant, centres itself around a fire pit and a 14-course tasting menu developed in harmony with the nature and seasons of the Alpine regions.
Equally centred on nature’s healing power is the recently renovated spa, where its saunas, steam rooms and relaxation spaces open directly to the forest. A series of new spa suites are each equipped with two treatment beds, a large round bathtub and steam bath, and treatments continue to draw on the natural teachings of the Celtic druids.
