Design B&B mixing local South Tyrol traditions with modern architecture
Zum Riesen / Tarres / South Tyrol / Italy
”Cerca un logo abbastanza lontano da tutto, eppure facile da raggiungere?” This is what you can read on Zum Riesen’s web page. What it means? “Are you looking for a place far enough from it all, yet easy to reach?” If your answer to this is yes, then you might have found the perfect place because Zum Riesen is a haven of tranquility, far away from the beaten track.
This guest house, located in the small village of Tarres in the lush Venosta Valley, dates all the way back to the 14th century. Over the centuries this house has more or less only been run by women and this is still the case today. The reigning landlady is the lovely and service-minded Alexandra who will make sure your stay is a success.
Since the house has been standing here for centuries, you can trace the different historic eras in the architecture and the design. This blend of historic styles has resulted in something the people at Zum Riesen call “rustic art nouveau”. One of the newest additions is the larch clad extension in the back which was added in the 70:s. When the old wisteria plant that dominates the entire front of the house was planted, no one seems to know.
There is a total of 9 rooms at Zum Riesen and each one has it is own distinctive look and history to tell. We stayed in the First Room. An inviting room with a discreet pink tone, printed wall paper and wooden floor boards. The large pine wood bed is the dominating feature and a cute balcony opens up the room to the surrounding mountains and the apple orchards.
Zum Riesen B&B is situated in an old, traditional building with plenty of character,
The inside showcase local traditions and design, both modern and traditional.
Letting that fresh Alpine air in.
Our room, the First Room. A spacious room with a serene pink tone and beautiful vintage furniture.
A contemporary wooden extension has been added to the traditional house, resulting in an interesting architectural mix.
Our en-suite bathroom was very modern and sleek. An interesting contrast to the rest of the room.
I loved to explore the house and just take in all the different historical styles and elements. A lot of love and energy must have gone into caring for this ancient building.
On the top floor there is a spa area with sauna and a lovely little terrace with sun loungers to relax in.
Breakfast is served! We had ours in the cosy, rustic “Stube”
Each table was set up with different vintage china sets. The reason why we chose this table for our breakfast were these cute salt and pepper shakers.
This cutie was our closest neighbor, walking around freely in the back yard of the hotel.
This is apple country and the small village where Zum Riesen is located is surrounded by endless apple orchards.
If you are in the area you have to stop by the Monocle shop in Merano. They have the best collection of everything you might need from clothes to home furnishing to books and is run by the lovely Linda.
RG inside info
This place is perfect if you…
…are looking for a calm, authentic place to stay at among the Italian Alps. If you appreciate small, family run B&B:s where local traditions meet modern hospitality, then this is your place.
My favorite thing about this place…
…is how modern architectural- and design elements have been incorporated into the traditional design in a seamless way where you continuously have to ask yourself if things you see are indeed old or modern additions. The interior is so beautifully executed.
What not to miss when staying here is…
…to take a walk through the apple orchards. The Venosta Valley supplies all of Europe with delicious apples and it is an almost surreal feeling to walk through row after row after row of apple trees.
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