Villa Arnica

A mountainside bolthole of nostalgic acclaim, between Bolzano and Merano in South Tyrol, Villa Arnica is perfectly styled - a gorgeously homely yet chic casa, found in charm-laden Lana, where a tinkling brook runs through the village and the Dolomites frame altitudinous views.

Built in 1925, the 95-year-old property shows all the hallmarks of historical age through its lushly restored terrazzo, smooth herringbone flooring and newly plumped vintage velvet sofas, creating a modern retreat that brings nearly a century’s worth of heritage to today’s sleek aesthetic. But more than this, Villa Arnica is the perfect setting for ready-made lounging and adults-only relaxation with an easy-breezy ambience, influenced by the era of classic Slim Aarons repose, best played out pool side under a fluttering parasol, in the greenery-shrouded garden.

A bed and breakfast until 1980, the guesthouse was a magnet for dreamers, artists, actors and creatives who flocked here from Europe and today the villa retains some of this carefree and playful spirit, where guests can put a record on the player before helping themselves to Aperitivo in vintage glasses, and the decor is dotted with curatorial antique market finds and Italian mid-century furniture.

Owner Klaus Dissertori, a hotelier who already has numerous properties under his belt including Aficionados' member 1477 Reichhalter, also in Lana, was the ideal character to pull a curated selection from the locale into the modern-day while allowing the atmospheric features to flourish. Employing designer Christina von Berg from Biquadra design studio in Merano meant fusing the elemental past with a contemporary comfort; the thick walls and lofty vaulted ceilings become templates for a luxe modern living with ribbons of yellow flowing from the villa’s mustard exterior, accented on sun loungers, monogrammed towels and floral botanical wallpapers.

Like the holiday home of a best friend, Villa Arnica just feels right, where breezy freedom, natural beauty and heirloom nostalgia work hand-in-hand.

At this adults-only hangout, there are just ten rooms and suites, keeping the vibe low-key and intimate. Made up of four doubles, two superior suites, three junior suites and a ‘bathtub’ suite which contains a beautiful freestanding tub, the décor is formed from restored features and furniture with a low-key colour palette which takes inspiration from the doorstep nature and traditional village: sage grey, forest green and burnt terracotta. Stylistic eccentricities come from contemporary design pieces – glass globe lights, Zucchetti fixtures and bathrooms layered with fine Lasa marble.

It’s a simple mantra at Villa Arnica – eating revolves around you, not a set formula of mealtimes. Chef is on-call whenever you need a little or large something rustled up – and it usually incorporates delicious and fresh produce from garden-to-table. Either that, or slightly further afield from the surrounding mountains. Offerings might include freshly made pasta, salads, just-picked fruit tarts or a communal long-table barbecue under the pergola, toasting new friends. You can also eat at sister hotel 1477 Reichhalter for a high-quality farm-to-table concept dinner, with wines from the nearby vineyards.

Breakfast at Villa Arnica is an equally civilised affair – available until noon, you can take your morning meal at the pool house or in the villa’s salotto, expect homemade jams, syrups, pastries and fresh bread.

Found in the Etschtal (Etsch Valley) between Bolzano and Merano, the traditional village of Lana is clasped by UNESCO-protected Dolomite vistas, with access being via airports Innsbruck, Verona, Bergamo and Milan. Villa Arnica encourage visitors by train – they’ll collect you from after a relaxed rail journey to the Lana/Burgstall stop.

Around Villa Arnica, most make for the hills of Vigiljoch – in the winter skiing beckons on some of the longest runs in Europe and in summer the valleys are strewn with wildflowers, accompanied by the tinkle of cow bells. Mountains aside, trips to Braunsberg Castle, teetering on the edge of the Gaul Canyon, reveal 13^th architecture, filled with silver relics and historical frescoes. Top up on culture at the interesting Museion, the Bolzano Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art.