Architectural design Hotel Bühelwirt Valle Aurina/Ahrntal in South Tyrol Italy, member of The Aficionados

Purist Traditions

A hillside bastion framed by lush alpine forests and snow-capped mountains, where simple luxe shakes hands with age-old tradition

Intro

Cast in a dramatic silhouette in blackened larch wood, eco-conscious and fully organic, design Hotel Bühelwirt in Italy’s stunning Valle Aurina (Ahrntal), with the mighty Großvenediger as a landmark, is a timbered design bastion by local architects Alexander and Armin Pedevilla. With an innate sensitivity to the environment and sustainability, a recurring theme in their work, the Pedevilla brothers used topography to narrate their design, beautifully moulding a new structure with an existing 1910 boutique chalet. The use of charcoal timber references the typical chalet style of the region and radiates a comforting sense of shelter. Bold angular outcrops and purposefully positioned window pews provide the guest with a constant visual drama of lush Alpine forests and snow-capped mountains, the tarred exterior frames intensifying the theatrics of nature. Merging the original alpine chalet, handed down the generations lovingly as “Old Gal”, with its latest charcoal-hued designs of angular proportions and soft wooden interiors, Bio Hotel Bühelwirt merges seamlessly into the landscape, a design den deeply connected to ancient traditions and its Ladin legacy. A striking South Tyrolean design outpost of modern meets heritage cool, Hotel Bühelwirt boasts the added twist of inherently fun alpine treehouse vibes, as local larch wood dominates and myriad loggias open onto that great, panoramic view. A cocoon of easy living and natural charm, Bühelwirt is surrounded by the rivers, fells, mountains and waterfalls of a family holiday’s Insta-dreams, and come snowfall, becomes a winter wonderland of wildest imaginings. The contemporary interiors create a retreat to timber-clad rooms of pure design simplicity, offset with putty greys, copper lighting and the soft warmth of ancient Ladin cloth in earthy greens. Balconied angular windows peek out from all directions at mouth-gaping panoramic views, while inside, a nuanced, pared-back Alpine style quietly reigns; simple never looked so good.

A hillside spot in the picturesque village of San Giacomo where homey vibes meet design crew, nature always takes centre stage—from the local South Tyrolean beauty products and fresh spring water that grace each room to the organic veggie fare at breakfast and supper and, of course, the view, touching every moment.

Rooms

Architectural design Hotel Bühelwirt Valle Aurina/Ahrntal in South Tyrol Italy, member of The Aficionados

In contrast to the hotel’s dramatic exterior, you’ll find Bühelwirt’s rooms to be set to chill, with blond woods wrapping around the putty-grey natural walls, and hued loden textiles adding familiarity and warmth, with light sources coming from the gleaming copper lamps sourced from the local mines, custom-designed by Harry Thaler.

Furnishings are crafted and give a nostalgic nod to the traditional Alpine decor whilst adopting a contemporary feel.  We particularly like the focus on windows, which frame verdant slices of nature, and many come with padded timber window seats or artfully placed bathtubs to immerse yourself in the view.

Local, organic, fresh and authentic – these four foodie faves all ring true when dining under Bühelwirt’s veggie and oh-so chicly slanted roof

Foodie

Locally sourced from sustainable farmers, totally organic, fresh and authentic –  all of Bühelwirt’s foodie fare is uncomplicated and wholesome, pulled up from veg plots and scattered with lashings of Ladin mountain soul.

Mornings are greeted with the hotel’s classic “Good morning” breakfast, brimming with regional and homemade breads, cheeses and jams, while dusky evenings are welcomed in with first a peruse of the mouth-watering antipasti at the large vitamin salad bar, before tucking into a tempting choice of three different starters and mains, all washed down with local craft beers, exquisite wines, fresh spring water, South Tyrol’s special “Caroma” coffee, Yogi Teas, and for those of you who want to conk right out before you hit the hay, the finest single malts. Watched over by owner and skilled sommelier, Matthias Haller, you can be sure of excellent pairings that effortlessly merge food, wine + view.

Spa

Chillax in a panoramic sauna, wave to the mountains themselves from your warm reverie in the relaxation zone or treat yourself to honey or herbal stamp massage with herbal South Tyrolean beauty brand, Trehs. 

Hotel Bühelwirt Ahrntal is a cocoon of comfort after pursuing the great outdoors all day, and, partnering with nearby Acqua Cascade (neatly settled in a prime location at the foot of the Reinbach Waterfall), you cool cats also get free entry there, to a design den menagerie of holiday relaxation and chill. With five indoor pools, two outdoor ones, a kid’s pool and a unique natural bathing pond, swim the Alps in style before hopping into one of their six saunas and Kneipp facility, keeping you feeling cool and collected (while of course, snug and warm).

For more heritage, Kneipp treatments follow the Leonardi trail from right outside the hotel’s very front door and follow a cultural yellow brick road through a forest and above the village, lined more with wooden sculptures than talking scarecrows and cowardly lions. The artworks of famed artist Jakob Oberhollenzer lead you to your Kneipp facility destination after just 15-minutes, where you can indulge in the ethos of 19th-century Bavarian priest Sebastian Kneipp, who pioneered hydrotherapy and promoted a sense of wellbeing through nutrition, exercise and balance, all thoughts we tend to align ourselves with today. Complete the circuit and you will be back at the base within an hour, full of culture, a spa sesh, nature and ancient remedies - not a bad round trip.

Kids & Co.

Hotel Bühelwirt Ahrntal is an ideal family holiday destination when seeking Italy’s Alpine nature vibes. Owners Michaela and Matthias Haller have three children of their own, and so understand the needs and demands of these little adventurers. With a large indoor play area full of toys, table tennis and a slide, as well as a sandbox just outside the hotel in the village square, you will always be able to find a moment of peace and a little down time post hiking/biking, horse riding or just chillaxing.

The “Farmland Dwarves” summer adventure program in July and August lets them learn more about Mother Nature with trained supervisors, perusing local museums and enjoying life on the farmstead with its many animals, while in winter, numerous ski schools offer highly trained ski and snowboarding instructors, helping them make their way on the slopes, and offering you a moment of peaceful snowiness.

Location

Italy’s Hotel Bühelwirt Ahrntal sits 1,175m up in South Tyrol’s beautiful Ahrntal Valley, also known as Valle Aurina. A famed walking haven located just by the Rieserferner Ahrn Nature Park and the Hohe Tauern National Park, nearby are also two popular ski resorts, Klausberg and Speikboden, as well as Kronplatz, an hour and a half’s drive away. 

A cultural haven, too, you can visit the Prettau Demonstration Mine, the medieval Taufers Castle, the Reinbach Waterfalls and Zaha Hadid’s Messner Mountain Museum.

Owners

Spearheaded by dynamic duo Michaela and Matthias Haller, whose paths first crossed way back in the romantic mists of school days, the couple eased into the hotelier lifestyle when Michaela was left the Bühelwirt by her grandparents.

After seven years in banking, Matthias left to join her and, along with their three little Hallers, family and business grew.

Innovative, inspired and driven, Michaela and Matthias pioneered the beautiful new building alongside local firm, Pedevilla Architects, always working with a consciousness of their surroundings, heritage, family and style.

With a trained sommelier qualification on board and an organic approach to each day, the two have perfected the good life in the mountains, and are slowly claiming the Ahrntal Valley as their own. 

Michaela & Matthias Haller, owners of the Hotel Bühelwirt Valle Aurina/Ahrntal in South Tyrol Italy, member of The Aficionados

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