Hotel Milla Montis

Taking its cue from the Dolomites panorama that surrounds it and the local vernacular architecture of the humble wooden barn, Hotel Milla Montis casts a curvilinear skeletal outline that rises up like delicate meringue-whipped peaks.  

With lead architects Peter Pichler Architektur (PPA) driving the innovative design, whose works have included the cantilevered mountain huts at Obereggen and the mirrored houses in Bolzano, the concept stemmed from a desire to bring nature into a man-made structure – creating an environment where we benefit from proximity to nature, whilst respecting the surrounds that give so much.

Dolomite viewing anchored the design blueprint ensuring that the structure of four connected volumes framed the setting with sweeping dramatic vistas from every angle; inside you get a front-row seat and become the audience of purity, a natural splendour. Although distinctively steering sharply away from Alpine traditions of gabled houses and folksy interiors, the soft structure of the Milla Montis sits in harmony with the canvas of mountain peaks.

It’s a showstopper of a hotel that needs to be seen and experienced. Its eye-catching frontage largely made of structural glass, sculpted by stone creates futuristic-style bubbles for living, dining and sleeping, where the boundaries between inside and outside are beautifully blurred. A sliver of steamy swimming pool juts out - more than hinting at snowy days and sunlit afternoons in the water. This den of chill is where body and mind can be replenished in the sauna, steam, hay room and meditation room putting you right back on track.

The design concept for the bedrooms was simply ‘feel good’ and this is clear from the all-natural approach, using lots of wood to create a cocooning effect. 

The hotel’s priority is to give everyone access and benefit from the surrounding nature, hence every single room has a private balcony with a fabulous vista onto the mountains making it easy to drink up the panorama, fresh air and sounds of the natural world.

Interior décor is minimalist and pared-back with a subtle colour scheme and a focus on comfort. Large beds are swathed in charcoal grey throws and mid-century seating allows a place to relax. Ground floor rooms have private access on to a terrace which leads to the garden and extra space can be found in the Living Suites, with deep sofas to relax in with a good book after a day of activity. For a treat, book a Spa Suite Plus, which comes with a private sauna and a vast free-standing tub, perfect for those steamy herbal baths where you can glimpse the mist-swirled Dolomites as you soak.

Chef Roland approaches the culinary offerings with a love for all things local. And with the locale being the Dolomites, ingredients have a huge range from juicy berries, wild herbs, ancient grains and fruit n’ veg from nearby farmers. The dinner menu includes a strong South Tyrolean influence with a creative slant, Mediterranean touches and a sprinkle of sophistication. 

Breakfast is another opportunity to showcase local produce with a range of delicacies to tempt you including freshly baked bread, homemade jams, ham, cheese and other South Tyrolean treasures.

Surely one of the greatest treats after a day out on the mountains is a homemade cake, still warm and waiting to be enjoyed with a South Tyrolean herbal tea or hot coffee. Milla Montis fully appreciate this and using recipes passed down through generations, afternoon tea is part of the day’s routine and shouldn’t be missed.

Milla Montis strives to harness the rejuvenating qualities of the natural world in all areas that they can. The spa is no exception and it’s here that the fusion of nature into this environment is most apparent.

Using the luxe wellness kit provided in your room, enter the spa robed and ready to begin your journey to wellbeing. Take a circuit of Finnish sauna and steam bath with refreshing breaks in the ‘hay room’ or relaxation room, where you can have a steamy tea with herbs gathered from the hills. Try some breathwork in the purpose-made Meditation Room, an area designed with calm and elegance in mind, where this tranquillity will still your thoughts.

The outdoor infinity swimming pool is perfectly positioned to relax on specially sculpted loungers to view the mountains (and its generous heating means you can do this with snowflakes falling too) and nearby a trickling stream adds to the ambience of relaxation – and in the hot summer days, you can dip your toes into the icy water that flows from the Dolomites.

Hotel Milla Montis is found in the small village of Maranza (Meransen), located at an altitude of 1415 metres above sea level, in the northern Italian region of the South Tyrol. Mountain-lovers are drawn here for the incredible Dolomites panorama with access to skiing, hiking and cycling. The area has an interesting hybrid fusion of cultures from Austria, Germany and Italy with aspects of each apparent in the architecture, food and languages spoken. The nearby medieval town of Mühlbach is great for a wander or to examine the fortress or to simply sit and enjoy an Aperitivo.

The nearest airports are via Innsbruck, Munich, Verona, Milan or Zurich.

Hosts Franziska and Roland are the forward-thinking couple who have brought this futuristic wonder to life from its seedling of an idea to the monument of modernity that it stands as today. Roland’s parents, Margareth and Benno, who also jointly share in the couple’s dream are credited with laying the foundations stones for this ambitious project with their own innovative enterprise when they turned an old mill, also in Meransen, into a guesthouse with huge choc-box Alpine appeal.

With hospitality running in the family blood combined with an acknowledgement of the power of the Alpine vernacular, they now take it into a new era with Milla Montis where modern design is fused with timeworn traditions and an old-fashioned warm welcome comes naturally.