Design hotel looking like a larch clad spaceship in Bressanone, Italy

My Arbor Hotel / Bressanone / Italy

Even though I had seen photos of My Arbor Hotel online I was still totally in awe when I first saw it irl. When you first get a glimpse of the powerful building it is like you are seeing some kind of space ship that has just landed in front of you. It is standing on high pillars resembling the tall trees that are surrounding hotel. Almost like a giant birds nest, resting high up in the crown of the tree.

My Arbor Hotel is located high up on a mountain side, towering above the town of Bressanone in the South Tyrol region in north Italy. Once you arrive, after driving km after km on winding alpine roads, you’ll have a splendid view of the valley and the surrounding mountains.

The hotel is fairly large but somehow feels small. I don’t know how they do it but maybe it has to do with the friendly, attentive service that makes this place feel more like a family run Gasthof than a modern design retreat. There is an extensive spa with indoor and outdoor pools, gym, bar, restaurant, garden, terraces, shop… Basically you’ll never have to leave the building if you don’t want to, but I do recommend at least a pre-dinner walk to build up a proper appetite. Trust me, you’ll need it.

The design of the hotel I would describe as modern rustic with an alpine nod. Stone and wood are reoccurring design features both in the common areas as well as the room. My favorite part of our room was the giant day bed by the window which was the perfect place for a afternoon reading (read: nap) session while watching the tall trees sway gently in the wind outside the window.

My Arbor is sitting high up on a mountain side with amazing views of the valley.

My Arbor almost looks like some kind of space ship from Star Wars that has landed in the Italian mountains. So impressive to be met by this sight when approaching the hotel.

This little outdoor seating area is built with the traditional patching technique where you use pieces of larch wood which is common in this part of the world. The same technique is used on the main building as well.

The lobby area of My Arbor is huge but still manages to feel warm and welcoming. An open fire place is a good way to secure that feeling.

The outdoors is brought indoors with these trunks hanging from the ceiling in the lobby area.

The bed in our room. When laying in it you have an amazing view of the valley so really difficult to get out of bed in the morning. Ok, the super comfy duvets made it even more challenging.

It is almost clear to the naked eye how well we slept in this bed.

Tall trees, low October clouds seen from our balcony.

This was my favorite place in the hotel. Our own daybed in our room with a magnificent view.

The main indoor pool. We went down just when the spa opened in the mornings and had the whole place to ourselves.

These beds were lined up in the spa, screaming to us to come and rest for a while. We obeyed.

A perfect place to relax after a stint in the steamy hot sauna.

M on his way to the top of the mountain. A good way to burn of the breakfast and make space for dinner.

RG inside info

This place is perfect if you…

…want to combine an active, alpine holiday with all the comforts you could ever imagine. You are taken care of the minute you step through the front door until you leave. You have fantastic biking, hiking and skiing opportunities right on the doorstep. And the pool and saunas will wait for you when you return.

My favorite thing about this place…

…two things stand out to me: the architecture (so unique and powerful!) and the food. This is Italy after all. The 7 course half board dinner was beyond amazing. And don’t get me started on the breakfast (which is actually my favorite meal of the day)...

What not to miss when staying here…

…is to pick the right season for your visit. We came here in Autumn and it was just perfect. So great to go for a long hike in the brisk October weather and return to the hotel just as the first rain drops started to fall. To enjoy the view from the room as the storm picks up in force just after having warmed up in the sauna.

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