Modernist architecture meets old traditions in Alpine setting
Schgaguler Hotel / Castelrotto / South Tyrol / Italy
In my early twenties I spent a couple of Winters working as a ski guide in the Italian Alps and this was when my love affair with the Dolomites began. It is a life long love story that started with love at first sight, at least on my end.
Schgaguler Hotel (yes, the name is a mouthful) is located in the cute Alpine village of Castelrotto in the western part of the Dolomites. The village is UNESCO heritage-protected, overlooking the amazing Alpe di Siusi.
The hotel is currently under the reigns of the third generation Schgaguler since the hotel opened. There was a wish (and need) to update the hotel and the assignment landed with Milan based architect Peter Pichler. In 2018 they reopened after a full reconstruct with a totally new and unique look.
The outside is created to mirror the surrounding mountains. The three monolithic structures almost look like an exoskeleton and since all rooms have floor to ceiling windows the hotel has an open, transparent and welcoming feeling.
On the inside the look is minimalistic with strong focus on details and with discreet color combinations. The rooms are bright and spacious and all rooms have a balcony with uninterrupted views. The materials used are solid and tactile, where wood, stone and loden are the main ones.
Oh, and then there is the food. If you stay here you HAVE to book half-board. The dinners are out of this world. And if you don’t, don’t worry, you will get your fix during breakfast.
The cute village of Castelrotto. Hotel Schgaguler is the white hotel in the middle of the photo with its characteristic pointy buildings.
The sleek architecture of Schgaguler is so impressive in how it is mirroring the surrounding peaks with its mountain-like structure.
White, angular and contemporary.
The reception of the hotel. Pure, solid materials are used throughout the hotel where stone, wood and sheer linen are the three most common.
A room with a view. Clean design with polished concrete floors and views that stretch for miles.
Care to take a bath? I love when they place tubs in the middle of the room so you can enjoy the view from there.
The cozy bar/lobby area.
The bar
There is attention to detail in all corners of the hotel. This is a nook in one of the hallways.
Waiting for the husband to wake up so we can go down for breakfast.
I don’t think breakfast has ever tasted better or been served with a better view than this. Those Dolomites…
A pool with a view.
There are so many great hikes in the surroundings where you can get up close and personal with those majestic Dolomites.
RG inside info
This place is perfect if you…
…love mountains and everything that comes with that kind of setting, like hiking, skiing, mountain biking… If you like this and you want to make sure you stay in a really great hotel while taking part, this is your place.
My favorite thing about this place…
…is the bold architecture. I applaud when architects both manage to go bold while at the same time respecting local traditions. To me this hotel is the perfect example of both these perspectives. The Schgaguler stands out but in the right way. The design demands attention but it doesn’t steal it from the surrounding mountains. They complement each other.
What not to miss when staying here…
…is to make sure you skip lunch so you are really hungry when it is time for dinner. The food here is beyond. Crazy delicious! The only issue is that you can’t eat too much for dinner since then you’ll not have enough space for breakfast… What a dilemma!
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