Monastero Arx Vivendi

Some places are built for contemplation. Others for indulgence. Monastero Arx Vivendi manages both. A walled retreat framed by the Jurassic peaks of Trentino and the mirrored shores of Lake Garda, this former convent has been masterfully reworked into a design-led, luxury boutique hotel and spa sanctuary. Ancient meets abstract architecture, where sacred heritage collides with sleek modernism under the watchful eye of NOA* studio.

It was Steffi’s entrepreneurial father who first spotted the potential in the crumbling convent of Arco. For Steffi and Manuel, what began as a casual visit quickly turned into a vision. Drawn to the raw, cloistered beauty of the space, they embarked on a meticulous restoration – a reinvention of the monastery’s purpose as a luxury boutique hotel, where architectural heritage meets modern comfort, where history is honoured, modernity is embraced, and the art of living well is seamlessly woven into the everyday. Today, Monastero Arx Vivendi stands as a testament to their vision: a place where history is honoured, modernity is embraced, and the art of living well is effortlessly woven into the everyday.

Once home to the sisters: Monastery Serve di Maria Addolorata, the thick sacral walls of this 17th-century monastery now cradle a bold new vision. A hushed, timeless refuge where vaulted arches, timeworn stones, and monastic gardens set the stage for contemporary wellness. Here, the art of living well – Arx Vivendi – is more than a name; it’s an ethos.

Cloistral Austerity Tamed

Noa* – the architectural duo Lukas Rungger and Stefan Rier – are masters of narrative-driven design. Their approach to Monastero Arx Vivendi was a balancing act: retaining the soul of the convent while infusing it with contemporary ease. The result is a striking contrast between old and new. The former monastery remains a stoic presence, its arched corridors and frescoed walls whispering stories of devotion. Meanwhile, the newly constructed wellness pavilion – a sequence of seven minimalist glass cubes – breaks the silence with sleek lines and floating transparency, a poetic counterpoint to the cloistral austerity.

The entire luxury retreat is wrapped within seven-metre-high monastery garden walls, reinforcing its standing as an architectural gem, ensuring an air of seclusion. The wellness spa – etched into the herb-scented grounds – is a triumph of light, shadow, and natural textures. Facades dressed in Vicenza stone pay homage to local craft, while the interiors channel a palette of chalky whites, soft greys, and raw timbers. Raincloud terrazzo flooring anchors the aesthetic, blending the serene with the sensorial.

Sleep Like a Saint

Monastero Arx Vivendi rewires the pace. Mornings unfold beneath soaring vaulted ceilings, where a market-style breakfast serves fresh Italian marmalades, warm bread, and eggs cooked to order. Evenings lean into aperitivo culture, with cocktails and local wines dispensed at the Monastero Bar, its doors opening onto the garden.

Rooms – 38 in total, including two suites – are a nod to the convent’s past life, though luxury is never compromised. High ceilings and original beams set the tone, while freestanding marble tubs and private saunas amplify the retreat factor. The Loggia Suite plays with filtered light, its curved windows offering a semi-enclosed balcony, while the ground-floor Hortus Suite extends into a private garden with its own sauna.

Steam, Stone & Sanctuary

The spa at Monastero Arx Vivendi is an ode to holistic restoration. Inspired by the monastic ethos of “cura animae et cura corporis” – care of the soul and body – this is wellness designed for modern pilgrims. Seven glass-fronted pavilions frame three inner courtyards, blurring the boundary between inside and out. Treatments incorporate the monastery’s herbal legacy – botanical oils, medicinal plants, and the antioxidant-rich pomegranate tree.

A signature experience? The seven-step hammam ritual, a sensory journey from steam bath to black soap cleanse, followed by a clay wrap and oil massage. Elsewhere, a Finnish sauna, heated outdoor pool, and shaded garden nooks invite long, languid pauses.

From Cloisters to Clifftops

Arco, a region celebrated for its blend of history, design, and Alpine charm, perched at the southernmost point of Trentino-Alto Adige, is an enclave of contrasts – Austrian-tinged architecture, medieval castle ruins, and towering limestone cliffs that lure climbers from across the globe. A four-kilometre cycle lands you on the shores of Lake Garda, where lazy boat trips and lakeside trattorias await. Further afield, the spa towns of Sirmione and Bardolino offer a taste of Italian dolce far niente.

Bikes are available at the hotel, perfect for meandering through vineyard-framed routes or tracing the lake’s edge at your own rhythm. And when the day winds down, there’s always the Monastero Bar – a final glass of vino in hand, cloistered in the quietude of this exceptional retreat.

The Visionaries Who Broke the Silence