Larch-clad lifestyle hotel with colorful Alpine flair 2000 m above sea level in South Tyrol

ICARO Hotel / Alpe di Siusi / South Tyrol / Italy

I love mountains! I love how small they make me feel when standing either in a valley looking up or high up on a mountain top, surrounded by their massiveness. It is one of the best reality checks ever, realizing how small we actually are in the bigger scheme of things. As a consequence I am always on the look out for Selected by RG-approved hotels in the mountains. Not down in the villages in the valley but high up on the mountain side. And that is why it makes me so very happy to find hotels like this one, Icaro Hotel in Alpe di Siusi.

Alpe di Siusi (or Seiseralm as it is called in German, since this in the bilingual region of South Tyrol) is a high altitude plateau, located about 1900 meters above sea level. So the drive up from the valley is something of a challenge, especially if heights aren’t your thing. But trust me when I say that it is worth it. When you reach the plateau and see the vista, the white knuckle drive up is long forgotten. And in the middle of a lush Alpine meadow, is where you’ll find Icaro.

The current owner of this 29-room hotel, Angelika Sattler who is the grand daughter of the founder of the original Icaro Lodge that dates back to the 1930s. It was her who brought on MoDusArchitects for the revamp of the old lodge, wanting to transform into a beautiful design destination. The thing that really stand out to me, especially when approaching the hotel, are the symmetric wooden columns, almost looking like tree trunks, carrying the ceiling like the tree crown. And when you get closer you realize that the larch wood of the facade is saw-toothed which gives the building life by creating shades and shapes that change thought the day with the movement of the sun.

The inside of the building is surprisingly colorful where there has been a generous use of primary colors. Bright yellow lamps, deep blue walls and colorful pillows. There is another color, that has been used as the theme color both in the design as well as in all the marketing material which is a lively coral red that mirrors the color of the surrounding Dolomites in sunset.

Icaro is a hotel you come to enjoy the good things in life: nature, mountains, fresh air, hiking, spa, stunning views and not the least - food. My kind of place.

I fell for this look straight of the bat, with all the different shapes and angles and the shadows created as the sun shines on the building..

I love the saw-toothed larch tree clad facade that is only viable when you come close to the building.

The hotel seen from the front. It is located on an Alpine hillside, on the lushest of meadows.

The solid wood beams, more than 7 meters tall, gives the hotel a geometric, characteristic look. Almost like 13 trees trunks carrying the ceiling like a crown.

Our room. Cozy and snug with a more traditional Alpine look.

The main feature of our room (maybe not so surprising) was wood.

The soft coral red is the theme color of the hotel that pops up here and there.

The best part of the room? The view. Hands down!

There are plenty of social areas in on the ground floor to hang out. This is a good snap shot of the colorful, playful design that MoDusArchitects gave the hotel during the revamp.

Love the pops of primary colors, like these bright yellow lamps.

Yes, I love playing with light and patterns when taking photos.

This might be the most beautiful outdoor furniture I have ever seen.

The restaurant has the same playful, colorful look as the rest of the hotel.

The best table in the house where we had our breakfast every morning.

A great little spot for that afternoon coffee and reading session.

Down stairs on the lower level is where you’ll find the pool and spa. Makes me happy to see color in a spa area.

The best part of the spa was this one. One of the saunas was situated in a separate, traditional-looking house with a view of the surroundings.

The weather changes quickly in the mountains. I am looking like a kindergarten kid in my colorful hiking outfit.

The nature in Alpe di Siusi is incredible! It is a high altitude plateau almost 2000 meters above sea level surrounded by the dramatic Dolomites.

Alpe di Siusi is a perfect place for hiking, running and biking in Summer and both Alpine- and cross-country skiing in Winter.

RG inside info

This place is perfect if you…

…love the combo mountains and food. If you are looking to stay at a playful design hotel where the hiking trails or ski tracks are literally right on your doorstep and the backdrop is the most stunning mountain range, the Dolomites, you will love this place.

My favorite thing about this place…

…is how they have taken an old mountain lodge and managed to give it a new dress by changing the outside and upgrading the inside, transforming it into a contemporary design hotel. But don’t worry! It is not too modern. The old traditional style of the region is still very much present in the design, side by side with colorful, playful elements.

What not to miss when staying here is…

…to get up early in the morning just as the sun rises behind the mountains. It is a surreal experience when it is all quiet and it feels like you have the place all to yourself. The only thing you hear is the soft rustle of the wind in the tall grass and the distant sound of bells from the grazing cows.

If you like this hotel you might also like…

Milla Montis, Maranza, South Tyrol, Italy

Vigilius, Lana, South Tyrol, Italy

Miramonti, Avelengo, South Tyrol, Italy