Steinach Townhouse

A fetchingly handsome facade of two historical buildings play innkeeper host to the Steinach Townhouse, a gorgeous boutique-hotel darling woven to the medieval tapestry of the Steinach Quarter in Merano, the heartland of Italy's South Tyrol and the landmark mountain of Mount Giogo di Tessa.

Pistachio green shutters frame the architectural bones of an original 17th-century farmhouse and adjoining Habsburg-style mansion house. Inside, subtle murmurs of times past are allowed to etch the interiors, the patina of Gothic doors, hand-painted stencil décor, naked timber planking and a curatorial approach to furnishings deliver a hotel ambience that is distinctly own, a restored beauty run by Andrea and Katalin Fenoglio, the proud custodians.

Despite the buildings' crumbling state, a lengthy restoration and design process began, spearheaded by Milan-based designers Roger Botti and Giulia De Andreis, who had spotted it during a trip to Merano. The creative duo saw beyond the ruin, attracted by how the light shone through the dust, absorbing views from its windows towards the 13th-century St. Nicholas' Church or Duomo di Merano and across the medieval rooftops. They were touched by the grandiosity of the historic haunt. This became the ideal imperfect canvas for staging beautifully restored hand-painted 18th and 19th-century Tyrolean antiques, salvaged tables from the 1930s that once adorned the first-class lounge of the train station in Trient, which are now positioned in the breakfast salon and adjacent terrasse – the perfect spot for al fresco breakfasting, traditional alpine stools, art by local artist Hugo Bergamini and prints by Siegfried Höllrigls. The curated setting throughout the suites and fabulously comfy lounge bar give design and mid-century finds like the Marseille lamp designed by Le Corbusier the perfect backdrop, as do handcrafted ceramic tiles fired in emerald green and copper accents - a nod to South Tyrol's 600-year-old mining history. 

Steinach Townhouse is anchored downtown within the hum of Merano, a stone's throw from restaurants (including host Andrea's famous Sissi Restaurant, which has consistently been awarded a Michelin star since 2009, and Pizzeria 357, the realm of authentic and really very good pizza), independent shops and craft workshops, the thermal baths of Merano, the Botanical Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle, and our favourite place to buy magazines: the Monocle Store. For lovers of that perfectly curated menagerie of style, good taste, careful heritage and thought-provoking artwork, Steinach Townhouse is your soft urban pitstop of smart Dolce Vita.

Pick from a choice of eleven suites at Steinach Townhouse, each rendered in glorious imperfection and contemporary design details. The suites all have two rooms apiece: a bedroom and a generous space for dining, sitting or writing; some sleep up to four or make a lovely haven for a couple. Others open out onto the rooftop garden or have a balcony; some suites have mini kitchenettes.

Each suite comes with its own style but all are characterised by a cosy-cool décor, underpinned by restored parquet flooring and edged by stripped back walls that take you straight to the house’s true authenticity. Windows frame views of either the mountains, gardens or medieval streets of Merano while bathrooms are enveloped in Italian marble. Thoughtful details created for comfort include allergen-free mattresses, a stylish seating area, state-of-the-art climate control and natural toiletries made from South Tyrolean spring water. 

Steinach Townhouse believe in starting the day right, and this is evident in the deliberate care and attention bestowed on the morning repast. Sourced from the bountiful surrounds of South Tyrol, choose from sweet or savoury or pick both, enjoying regional meats and cheeses, homemade jams and granola, pancakes with berry compote and irresistible baskets of freshly baked pastries and bread. During the day, the Honesty Bar which is found in the hotel's beautifully decorated and comfy lounge, is always open should you need libation.

Merano offers quite a range of dining options, whether that’s traditional and hearty South Tyrolean fare, fine dining at Michelin-starred restaurant Sissi, or a simple but delicious pizza. Speak to your hosts to find out the latest insider spots for cocktails and where to head out for supper.

Steinach Townhouse sits in the boho neighbourhood Steinach Quarter, home to a panoply of design shops, art galleries, artisan workshops and the Monocle store – browse the latest art, travel and design magazines right here. Dating back to the 12th-century, the Steinach Quarter breathes history over smoothed cobbles, high fortified walls and the Passer Gate, perfectly preserved in Midde Aged splendour. Merano itself is a gem, a melange of Habsburg-era boulevards and art nouveau villas, and not far from the hotel is the soul-reviving thermal baths of Merano and the natural greens of the Botanical Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle. Easily accessible are mountain pathways for hiking and in winter, ascend to the ski resort Merano 2000. 

Well-known locals, Katalin and Andrea Fenoglio's motto is simple, “Our hospitality comes from passion” and this is clearly evident when you meet the couple who infuse you with natural bonhomie. 

As the long-time founders of the consistently Michelin star-awarded Restaurant Sissi and Pizzeria 357, the home of notably good pizza, the couple were ready for the next challenge and adventure – knowing that their warm welcome would effortlessly translate from restaurant to stylish townhouse. 

The charming residence in old Merano called to them and today, Andrea explains how the “Steinach Townhouse is the result of the perfect combination of two excellences: sheer beauty from the incredible restoration skills of Mr and Mrs Botti, and great hospitality, thanks to our wealth of experience in this world.”