Secluded adults-only design wonder in Italian Alps
AEON / Soprabolzano / Italy
Over and over again we were questioning if we were driving in the right direction. We had left Bolzano way down in the valley and started working our way up the mountains, along winding Alpine roads. Higher and higher and the road just kept getting smaller and smaller so by the end it was not wider than a standard bike path. And finally, at the end of the road (literally) was the place we had been searching for, the AEON Hotel.
AEON is located on an Alpine meadow (we didn’t see so much of that since it was all covered in snow when we stayed here) with amazing views of the South Tyrolean skyline. I don’t think there is a more scenic backdrop than the Italian Dolomites. They look surreal, especially at sunset when they turn golden red.
The Ramoser family has had a farm and restaurant on this site since the 70:s and last year the two sons, Joachim and Max opened the brand new AEON Hotel. A modern wood structure playing an homage to local traditions but with an interesting contemporary edge. I think the South Tyroleans have made this into an art form where their modern buildings feel just as timeless as their old ones do. It is a true testament to that great design never feels out of date.
There are only 15 rooms at AEON so this is a true boutique hotel where you will meet the Ramoser brothers in the reception and restaurant. This is an adults-only hotel and it makes total sense since AEON screams of relaxation, calm and letting your hair down. And what makes things even better is that the lovely people running the hotel go out of their way to make sure you won’t lack anything during your sta. We felt we were treated like royalty with different small gifts outside our door when we opened it in the morning, a glass of bubbly when we arrived, a bottle of Champagne waiting in our fridge in our room… The list just goes on and on and on.
I love the local South Tyrolean architecture with one foot firmly planted in the past and one in the present. Ancient traditions are made to meet the needs of the modern traveler.
The design of AEON is built around two colors, a creamy white and a dark blue. This comfy area functioned as both breakfast room, bar, lounge, restaurant and living room.
The two color design scheme was not only to be found in the common areas but also in our room. Such a unique way to design a hotel.
Everything was cream and blue.
Gotta love a room with a hammock.
M enjoying an afternoon chill on our balcony after a day in the ski slopes. So nice to bring out the duvet in order to stay warm in the chilly Winter afternoon. And if the duvet wasn’t warm enough…
…this infinity pool surely did the trick. And when this wasn’t enough…
…this modern looking sauna sealed the deal. The spa area of the hotel takes up a whole floor with different saunas, hot tub, infinity pool and a large area full of loungers.
The sun is setting over the pool and the surrounding mountains.
I can’t decide if AEON looks better in the day or in the evening. There is something about the starry sky and the cozy, yellow light from the hotel rooms against the darkness.
Ready for dinner. The food at the AEON was so delicious so we never left to try any of the other locals places. Oh well… We’ll save that for next time.
I find it difficult to take photos of food, but just look at this tuna! My mouth is watering like crazy every time I see this photo.
And it wasn’t only the dinners that were amazing. The breakfast was equally great. Everything tastes better when plated like this.
The majestic Dolomites. This is from one of our days skiing around the Sella Mountain, a famous day excursion when you ski trough over four different mountain passes which should not be missed.
RG inside info
This place is perfect if you…
…want to go to a hotel that is all about relaxation and luxury (not the nose-in-the-air- high-brow kind but more of the make-you-feel-looked-after-and-important kind). This is a place where you check in and just check out from the world. And trust me, it is such a joy to let this cute little hotel become your entire world for a couple of days.
My favorite thing about this place…
…is that it is an adults-only hotel. I love when a hotel decides on an idea and takes it all the way. When the architecture, the design and theme are cohesive. This is a hotel that was made to be adults-only.
The quality booster…
…was the in-room gift that was waiting for us when we arrived in our room. We are talking a bottle of champagne, artisanal chocolate, a thermos, tea and a scented candle.
What not to miss when staying here is…
…is to explore the mountains, regardless when time of year you come here. We stayed in the Winter (during New Years, actually) and went skiing in the nearby Val Gardena Ski Area. It is part of the extensive Dolomiti Superski network which is the largest interconnected ski area in the world. And it is so stunning, surrounded by the most dramatic mountains ever.
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