About Merano
Meran was one of Europe’s great spa towns in the 19th century. Empress Sisi soaked her feet in its healing springs back in the 1870s, and Europe’s moneyed elite built grand hotels and Art Nouveau villas along the Passer River – on par with Lucerne, Bad Gastein, or Karlsbad.
The reason for its early popularity still holds true today: Meran sits in an unusually mild valley basin. While the rest of South Tyrol is still fighting off snow in March, people in Meran are already sitting in the gelateria or in a palm-lined hotel garden.
Today, a new generation of hoteliers and restaurateurs is turning the region into something special again – with ideas that are creative and sustainable in equal measure. Pretty Hôtels recommends four properties here: Ottmanngut, 1477 Reichhalter, Schwarzschmied, Villa Arnica, and, up above the town, the Miramonti Boutique Hotel.
Why visit Meran0?
Shop in the morning, hike up to a remote mountain hut for lunch, then sit down to South Tyrolean specialties and excellent wine in the evening — in a t-shirt and shorts. And because Meran isn’t tiny, even in high season you’ll spend as much time among locals as among tourists.
Four addresses between Meran, Lana, and Algund that stand for exceptional cooking.
Miil, Lana
Set on the grounds of the Kränzelhof winery between Meran and Lana. The walk in takes you along a river and through a small forest before opening onto a park-like patio with a stylish bar, a pergola, and a restaurant garden. The kitchen turns out one striking dish after another, served by a confident, self-assured team. 🔗 www.miil.it
Wirtshaus zur blauen Traube
Opened in 2019 and already a fixture, just five minutes from Meran. Chef Christoph Huber trained under three-Michelin-star chef Christian Jürgens (Überfahrt Tegernsee) and most recently cooked at Hotel Castell. His food is unapologetically regional and strictly seasonal, all served in a relaxed setting. 🔗 www.blauetraube.it
Gasthaus 1477 Reichhalter
A proper Italian inn and a modern gourmet restaurant at once — without the fuss of fine dining, but with traditional South Tyrolean cooking done exceptionally well. Chef Andreas previously worked at Miil and has brought that same “good, regional food” philosophy to this historic inn. In summer, dine under the pergola; in winter, in one of two beautiful old parlors. 🔗 www.reichhalter1477.it
Meteo
Right on the Passer River, in a cream-colored old building along the Winterpromenade. Agata Erlacher and Thomas Strappazzon run a kitchen that’s creative, seasonal, and refreshingly unfussy — the handwritten menu changes constantly, leans toward fish, and comes with a good dose of eccentric charm. 🔗 cometometeobaby.it
Meran isn’t Milan, but with the right addresses you can easily fill a whole day here.
Monocle Shop
The town’s best-curated selection, tucked away in the Obermais district. There’s only a handful of Monocle Shops in the world – London, Tokyo, Zurich, Toronto, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, and Meran. 🔗 www.monocle.com/merano
Glücklich
Modern takes on the traditional Tyrolean jacket – not trend-driven, but far less old-fashioned than the classic version. 🔗 www.gluecklich.it
PUR Südtirol
South Tyrolean products, from the famous kale juice to Schüttelbrot flatbread. 🔗 www.pursuedtirol.com
Bäckerei Forno
The best bread in town, baked by Ivo de Pellegrin, who ran the kitchen at Ottmanngut until spring 2020. His sourdough is one of a kind — and it’s also what ends up on the table at Wirtshaus zur blauen Traube. 🔗 www.forno.me
Otherwise, of course, take a stroll through the old town – Laubengasse has a few lovely shops to offer, and between the butchers selling smoked ham and the running shoe shops, you can pop into Kuntinos for a coffee.
Three ideas for exploring the surrounding area.
Korblift Vellau – Leiter Alm
The historic cable car climbs from Vellau up into the hiking area above Meran. From there, an easy walk leads to the Leiteralm mountain hut, with sweeping views over the Adige Valley and a well-earned stop for something to eat.
Meran 2000
Take the cable car up to Meran 2000 (or rather walk or take the mountain bike) the town’s local mountain, then hike on to the Rotwand hut for a hearty South Tyrolean spread and views across the Meran basin. The Rotwand hut is now owned by Miramonti Boutique hotel and the food is curated by Christoph Huber from the Gasthaus zur blauen Traube, so you will be properly treated here.
Kalterer See
South Tyrol’s warmest lake, ringed by vineyards, about 30 minutes south of Meran. Ideal for a relaxed day of swimming, cycling, or lingering over lunch at one of the lakeside spots like Gretl am See. They are also part of our family with their outpost Seehotel Ambach.
Ottmanngut
Run by hosts Martin and Katharina. Bright rooms filled with antiques, a three-course breakfast prepared fresh every morning by the owner himself, and evenings in the garden with a glass of South Tyrolean red. 🔗 www.ottmanngut.it
Miramonti Boutique Hotel
A hideaway perched 1,230 meters above Meran, run by Klaus and Carmen Alber. The spa’s famous saltwater pool was joined in 2019 by a 40-degree onsen pool, a gym, and a Sky House. It’s truly spectacular – they also have three Monti homes now for longer stays with your own kitchenette. 🔗 www.hotel-miramonti.com
Villa Fluggi
A project also run by Klaus and Carmen Alber and bought from Monocle founder Tyler Brûlé – who left behind not just the furniture but his personal art collection. Three floors, five bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a new sauna house and pool in the garden, sleeping up to 10. Set in Meran’s villa district, five minutes from the center. 🔗 www.villafluggi.it
1477 Reichhalter
A gem in the old town of Lana, thoughtfully renovated in 2018 by Klaus Dissertori (who also runs Schwarzschmied). Eight rooms in a historic building, plus a standout restaurant led by chef Andreas Heinisch, formerly of Miil. Outdoor seating through summer and autumn, for both lunch and dinner. 🔗 www.reichhalter1477.it
Villa Arnica
Beautifully furnished rooms in a grand old villa. A lounge with library and bar, a large garden with mountain views, and a pool with poolhouse serving breakfast, aperitivo and occasional dinners. Many guests happily spend a full day here, leaving the sightseeing to everyone else. 🔗 www.villaarnica.it
Schwarzschmied
68 rooms and suites set on a vineyard slope overlooking the village church. Sensitively renovated in the last few years, with plenty of glass and wood, a wonderful terrace for long breakfasts and dinners, and an indoor and outdoor pool, spa, gym and treatments. Perfect for Yoganistas, since they host many retreats here throughout the year. 🔗 www.schwarzschmied.com
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