Biohotel Hermitage

Like many of the most charming places to stay in Italy — former convents, recycled tobacco factories, restored winery buildings — the Biohotel Hermitage didn’t start out as a hotel. It was a farmhouse owned by a local family, later converted into a B&B, and then, in 1999, to a boutique-style property that’s considered the first eco-friendly hotel in the region. The region in question: the valleys of Trentino, the yang to the yin of the magnificent Dolomites mountain range in Italy’s northernmost region. It’s a place you come to ski, followed by après-ski, followed by a massage in the spa, followed by dinner with a view of the mountains, followed by cuddling next to the fireplace in your suite. Word to the wise: Biohotel Hermitage expects you to come with a loved one, of the romantic versus familial variety.

And understandably so: this is a peaceful getaway that’s designed for canoodling. Dwarfed by the soaring landscape, it’s grand but cozy — and located outside the town of Madonna di Campiglio, it’s removed from those pesky ski-season crowds. Guest rooms are large and quiet, with heated floors, dark wood furnishings and crisp white sheets, spacious bathrooms with fixtures made of red Verona marble, and private balconies looking out over the mountains. Mini Suites and Junior Suites have more of a chic cabin feel, with high wood-beamed ceilings, multiple bathrooms, and separate sleeping or relaxing areas, ideal if you’re traveling with children.

But you came to ski, right? Luckily, instructors at the Italian Ski Academy are available directly through the hotel, a free shuttle service runs to the slopes all day, and if you didn’t bring your own, you can rent gear through the shop run by the Maffei family, original owners of the farmhouse that became the Biohotel Hermitage. Afterward, choose a bottle of wine from the amply stocked stone cellar, or go for a dip in the pool — from the vantage point of the water, there are panoramic views of the mountains. Go for dinner prepared by Michelin-starred chef Terry Giacomello, or head to the Hermitage Spa for a couple’s massage. A couple’s massage that can, of course, also take place in front of the fireplace back in your suite. You know what they say, or what they should say, if they don’t already say it: Northern Italy is for lovers.

Please note: Biohotel Hermitage requires a minimum stay of two to seven nights, depending on the season.