Hotel Schwarzschmied

You get the feeling in the southern Alps that the national borders are somewhat beside the point. The historic spa town of Lana, a few miles to the northwest of Bolzano, is Italian, sure, but this close to Austria it’s a vision of Italy that’s got very little to do with Rome, Venice or Milan. It’s a place where, for one thing, you’ll find Schwarzschmied — a hotel which, judging from the name alone, has strayed far from its Latin roots.

Look closer, though, and you’ll find a distinctly Italian version of the alpine good life. The design may veer towards Nordic simplicity but there’s also a thread of modernist-inspired contemporary Italian luxury design in the sleek, low-slung furnishings and the rich, earthy background colors. The open-plan spaces admit plenty of sunshine, and among the options are family suites which include separate bunk rooms for children.

The main attraction, obviously, in this most scenic corner of the Alps, is the outdoors, which in winter means skiing and in summer means anything from biking to hiking to golf and guided meditation walks. Wellness, naturally, is at the top of the agenda, and Schwarzschmied offers yoga, pilates, massages and spa treatments, and a culinary philosophy to match: in the restaurant, slow food meets minimalist design in an attempt to soothe the soul along with the digestion — with vegan and gluten-free options available as well.

How to get there: Hotel Schwarzschmied is approximately 148 km by car from Innsbruck Airport in Austria via E45, SS38, and SP69.