Villa Arnica

Neither a classic Alpine chalet nor a contemporary build, Villa Arnica, in the German-speaking South Tyrol town of Lana, is a unique blend: it’s a Twenties villa, beautifully restored, whose thoroughly luxe contemporary interiors are a stylish complement to its characterful period construction. Parquet floors and soft original colors coexist with a sparseness that’s paradoxically warm; it’s an eminently tasteful boutique-hotel look in a setting that can easily lend itself to excess.

There’s a lovely swimming pool in the garden, a mid-Sixties addition to the property, and the pool house serves light fare from midday through mid-evening; breakfast, in typical South Tyrolean style, is a hearty affair. For a serious dinner you’ll want to book at one of Villa Arnica’s sister hotels — Hotel Schwarzschmied and 1477 Reichhalter, both right here in town, are equipped with eminently worthy offerings.

There’s a cable car in town leading to the ski slopes at San Vigilio, designed, as it happens, by the original resident of Villa Arnica. The Dolomites are at your feet — or, more properly, you’re at the feet of the Dolomites — which means that adventure is never more than a day trip away.