Elegant Bolzano hotel with contemporary design and timeless feel

Parkhotel Mondschein / Bolzano / South Tyrol / Italy

I have a hotel crush on Klaus Dissertori. Don’t think there even is such a thing but that is how I feel and I think you will understand when I tell you why.

The first thing is that he is so brave to invest in ideas and properties that many others would never even consider to come near. The second thing is that he takes on these buildings with their rich heritage and makes sure they get a second lease on life instead of risking being torn down or falling into disarray. And third is his ability to create destination hotels with the most unique and timeless design. Hotels that have a certain elegance to them, the kind of hotel you never want to leave. I have had the chance to stay at two of his other hotels, 1477 Reichhalter and Villa Arnica, both located in the nearby village of Lana, and now I finally had the chance to stay at his most recent masterpiece, Parkhotel Mondschein.

Parkhotel Mondschein, or Luna since this part of Italy is bilingual, is a statement building in the centre of Bolzano where the oldest part of the structure dates back to 1320. It was extended in 1890 during the Belle Époque with Art Nouveau features that were all the rage during this period. Today the ochre-colored building, partly covered in the greenest ivy and with its signature white window shutters, just feel timeless, elegant and effortless. I especially love how the building comes alive when the evening sun brings out an intense warmness in the ochre color.

The 82-key hotel (72 rooms and ten suites) opened early Summer of 2022 and Mondschein has once again become a place where visitors and locals alike come to hang out.

Our room was all tall ceilings (cleverly highlighted by walls that were painted in two different colors) with stucco ornaments, crystal light features and handpicked accessories, where one of my favorites are the hangers with the hotel name printed on them with golden letters. Very classy! And to me this air of class and elegance really describes the essence of this hotel. It feels lux but without any old, stuffy conception of what often defines luxury. Here at Mondschein luxury is to be able to rest in the park under one of the tall tress, to take a yoga class, to have a cocktail and some nibbles at the bar, to enjoy a lazy morning in bed or to relax with something to read in the lounge. No wonder why I have a hotel-crush on this place and on Klaus Dissertori.

The reception area with the signature curved windows has an air of the 50s and 60s.

The lounge next to the reception and the tasteful hotel shop.

I have said it before and will probably say it many times again, I love hotels that have real, proper keys. Makes the experience feel so much more genuine and tactile.

Vintage crystal lamp fixtures in the corridors.

Our room, so simple yet so elegant and tasteful.

A Howard-inspired sofa, some printed cushions and a colorful carpet added to the homely feel of our room.

You know you are staying at a classy hotel when the hangers have the logo printed on them.

The heart of the hotel is the bar. This space is huge, with several different corners to hide and relax in. And the drinks are just like the design of this space, excellent.

I’ve never seen a hotel library as alluring as this before. We ended up staying for hours, flipping through all these glossy magazines.

The hotel gym looks so good. Modern but with a vintage look. It is connected with a yoga & fitness studio, *arise*, that offers classes to both locals and hotel guests.

The gym and fitness studio. This is also where you’ll find the sauna.

The exterior of the hotel is almost entirely covered by ivy. The intense green against the warm ochre is such a perfect combo.

I think this is my favorite photo from our stay at Mondschein.

The food at the hotel restaurant is fairly simple and straight forward but sooo good. All the things you want when you are in Italy and then some are on the menu. This is from one of our late afternoon lunches in the shade.

Vintage silverware and plates with the hotel logo connect so well to the overall look and feel of the hotel. It is all in the details.

I still dream of this cappuccino. And the small cookie that accompanied every cup (yes, I had more than one…).

This was one of my favorite corners of the hotel park, sitting under the shade from the giant trees with a magazine and a cappuccino. Who am I kidding, a drink!

If you want to do some really good shopping, I recommend to go to the neighboring town, Merano where you’ll find the Monocle store.

The selection is so great. A real lifestyle store where you’ll find everything from fashion to furniture, from perfumes to books.

And the woman in charge is the lovely Linda. We have been here so many times over the years so she had become a friend. No one can sell quite like Linda. It is impossible not to leave with a shopping bag when coming here so consider yourself warned.

M is back at the hotel after our Merano excursion.

And the sun is slowly setting on Bolzano and Parkhotel Mondschein.

Both the bed and us are ready to call it a night and dream of tomorrow’s breakfast.

RG inside info

This place is perfect if you…

…are a lover of exquisite design. If you love to be in places that breathe luxury (without having to pay through the nose) and truly appreciate the finer things in life, this is totally your place.

My favorite thing about this place…

…is the garden. We stayed here in Summer and it was such a treat to sit in the shade in the lush garden and sip on a cool Aperol and munch on some nibbles. I also have to mention the detailed design. How this classic hotel that was slightly outdated has been gently updated, with master hotelier Klaus Dissertori at the wheel, to meet the needs of the modern traveller.

What not to miss when staying here is…

…to hike in one of the nearby mountains. Or go to the Lago Caldero area just south of Bolzano and enjoy some of the best wines in Europe. Or go west to nearby Merano and shop in the fab Monocle store. Or go east into the Dolomites and enjoy some of the most stunning nature in the world. The opportunities in this region are endless.

If you like this hotel you might also like…

Miss Clara, Stockholm, Sweden

Concepció, Palma, Mallorca, Spain

Hotel Rochechouart, Paris, France