Relais & Chateaux Hotel Castel Fragsburg

Castel Fragsburg occupies what may be the most privileged position in this spectacularly beautiful corner of South Tyrol, Italy’s famous patch of Alpine-style paradise. It’s located inside an elegant hunting lodge that first opened its doors nearly four centuries ago — and on a nearby cliffside is the 14th-century castle for which it was built. (The castle now serves as a thoroughly unique events venue for hotel guests.) You’ll spot its red gables from afar as you navigate the hairpin roads leading up from the ancient spa town of Merano; you’ll know you’ve arrived when you see a antique motorbike, complete with a sidecar, parked outside.

It’s details like these that make Castel Fragsburg so charming. Note the mounted deer antlers and the functional megaphone: the old lodge, though reborn as a smart five-star hotel, still feels connected to the local hospitality tradition. There are twenty gracefully appointed suites, outfitted with romantic chandeliers, wood paneling and richly patterned wallpaper, hand-carved and wrought iron furniture, red marble bathrooms, and private balconies with views of the Alps, the vineyards, or the valley. The larger the suite, the more opulent the décor — think four-poster beds, freestanding soaking tubs, and spacious seating areas with old-fashioned loveseats. Sumptuous fabrics, from green silk to floral tapestry, are par for the course. Of course, you'll also find modern amenities like flat-screen TVs and wi-fi.

But forget about making Nespresso in your room. Here you’ll be having the Breakfast Royale. A magnificent array of freshly baked breads and pastries served with local cheeses, fruits, and exotic jams and nut spreads. It’s the continental breakfast of your dreams — but even so, it might not fully prepare you for the experience that is dinner at Prezioso, Castel Fragsburg’s restaurant. Laze by the pool, go for a hike, get a facial or a massage at the truly unique Alchemistic Healing Spa, where treatments are based around Tyrolean flowers handpicked by the hotel’s master herbalist and natural healer. There’s plenty to do in the immediate area, but we’ll understand if you don't descend from this particular hill until it’s time to check out.

Please note: Castel Fragsburg is open annually April through November.

How to get there:
Castel Fragsburg is 25 km from the Bolzano airport, 170 km from the Verona airport, 210 km from the Brescia airport and 140 km from the Innsbruck airport. The train station Merano is serviced by ÖBB, Deutsche Bahn, Schweizer Bahn and Italienische Bahn.