Miramonti Boutique Hotel review: Is this the coolest hotel in the Dolomites?

An elegantly modern mountain hideaway for skiers and spa-goers, Miramonti combines cutting-edge architecture with a down-to-earth spirit
Infinity pool at Miramonti Boutique Hotel Italy

IN BRIEF

First impression A contemporary Alpine spa retreat with off-the-scale valley views.
Staff Refreshingly local and personable while running a truly slick operation.
Food and drink Relaxed fine dining and organic buttoned-down brunches.
Bed and bath Nordic minimalism softened with cosy furnishings.
The crowdA cool lot toeing the smart-casual line (red wine with roll-neck sweaters).
In a nutshell An elegantly modern mountain hideaway for skiers and spa-goers with cutting-edge architecture and down-to-earth spirit.
Book your stay


Steam pool at Miramonti Boutique Hotel, Italy

Set the scene
Overlooking South Tyrol’s Nutcracker city of Merano from its Dolomite vantage point, the Miramonti hotel is a masterclass in old meets new. Interiors, food and the roster of activities on offer, such as guided hikes and wine tours, pay homage to South Tyrolean traditions, but are far removed from the classic reindeer-rugged, cow-belled Alpine chalet hotel, and lean towards cleaner Nordic sensibilities. Warming woods and contemporary furniture place Miramonti on the cosier end of the minimalist scale and the glass-encased Panorama restaurant seizes upon the views across the Merano valley (more familiar to helicopter passengers than restaurant diners). These same views offer a focal point throughout, via the floor-to-ceiling bedroom windows and from the box-structured Finnish sauna, onsen and outdoor pool tipping over the mountain. Like flowers twisting towards the sun, everything here swings towards that magnificent vista.

Panorama terrace at Miramonti Boutique Hotel, Italy

What’s the story?
Having met in hospitality school, Carmen and Klaus Alber set about finding a place of incredible natural beauty from which they could roll out their high-spec, low-fuss hotel concept. They found it in Hafling, not far from where Roger Moore was pursued by baddies on skis in The Spy Who Loved Me, wedged between forest, rock and those valley views. Naturally, Miramonti nods to this association, with Sunday film nights in the snug cinema. The hotel also honours its history as a tea house with fireside afternoon tea, coffee and cake – music to the frosty ears of hikers, skiers and spa-goers.

Loft view at Miramonti Boutique Hotel, Italy

What can we expect from our room?
‘We thought we’d go for a lighter aesthetic that is not too cold as this is a year-round hotel,’ explains affable co-owner Klaus. And so they did. The hotel’s Nordic architecture and interiors work with the landscape they inhabit: minimalist bedrooms are thawed with pine, oak, hemp curtains and deep-hued cushions (for those moody Scandi colours, go for an Urban room). Most have balconies and are filled with natural light then softened in the evening with a dim amber glow. Simple yet extraordinarily comfortable beds threaten to cause tardy ski departures.

Suite entrance and bathroom at Miramonti Boutique Hotel, Italy

How about the food and drink?
Held in the casual Klassik restaurant, breakfast carries the Nordic theme to the table, homing in on nature and foraging. From berries and bee pollen to home-made bircher muesli and honey dripping off honeycomb, it’s a seemingly healthy but greedy spread. Panorama lives up to its name, with views over snowy slopes into a fairy-tale valley, as well as its foodie reputation – the à la carte menu is absurdly tasty with smart twists on Austrian and Italian classics (as befits South Tyrol’s cultural tapestry). For starters, there are goat crème brûlées as well as pasta primis such as tuna and langoustine ravioli. Mains include richer options like pulled Cinta Senese pork in filo pastry. The wine and beer come from local breweries and vineyards. Those craving hearty mountain classics raclette, tartare and tartiflette – should try the traditional wood-panelled Stube restaurant.

Restaurant at Miramonti Boutique Hotel, Italy

Anything to say about the service?
The Albers’ history in hospitality is immediately evident, with staff mastering the subtle art of being simultaneously unobtrusive and present. Better still, they all champion the local area and flip seamlessly between English, German, Italian and French.

What sort of person comes here?
Well-travelled young families, friends and couples seeking a stylish mountain hideout for screen-free bonding. Whether they’re sauntering between the Finnish sauna and onsen, or going from a sun-soaked breakfast table to the Land Rover shuttle in smart ski garb, this tribe appreciates the hotel’s elegantly unfussy ethos.

Terrace at Miramonti Boutique Hotel, Italy

What’s the neighbourhood scene like?
Snowy and secluded in winter, ruddy-cheeked and bucolic in summer, Halfling lies in the heart of South Tyrol, architecturally leaning to the Austrian side of things, while the town of Merano in the valley is a distinct mix of Mediterranean and Alpine design. Intermediate skiers are well looked after at nearby Merano 2000 (the pros may miss the Trois Vallées-level thrills here), with many refreshingly unflashy lunch pit stops to choose from. Whether strolling around farms, jumping on ponies for a hack through the pine forests or bathing in the pretty lakes among the mountains, visitors will find exploring South Tyrol a joy.

Ski shuttle from Miramonti Boutique Hotel, Italy

Anything you'd change?
Any changes would tip the delicate balance the Albers have worked so hard to achieve.

Anything we missed?
Upon arrival, Miramonti hands its guests a curated card of what to see and do, from hiking the hotel’s own forest walkway around the Sulfner Pond before breakfast to sampling Merano’s foodie haunts and hipster boutiques. The abundance of activities highlights Miramonti’s desire not to trade solely off the piste but to tap into the Alpine landscape and the thriving South Tyrolean food scene for year-round appeal.

Terrace at Miramonti Boutique Hotel, Italy

A final note: is it worth it?
From about £215 a night including breakfast, traditional afternoon tea and spa use, it’s unequivocally worthy of your hard-earned cash (and the stomach-churning meander into the mountains to reach it).

Sauna at Miramonti Boutique Hotel, Italy

Book your stay


Address: Miramonti Boutique Hotel, St Kathreinstrasse 14, Via San Caterina 14, Hafling-Avelengo, Italy
Number: +39 473 27 93 35
Website: hotel-miramonti.com Price: from about £215


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