Bolzano is the capital of South Tyrol, and the Parkhotel Mondschein is one of its most beautiful places to stay. Behind it are brothers Moritz and Klaus Dissertori, longtime members of the Pretty Hotels family, and for all the right reasons. Their 1477 Reichhalter, Villa Arnica and Schwarzschmied, all in nearby Lana, come highly recommended. Each has a certain flair, a mix of traditional inn and modern design hotel.
The 76-room Parkhotel Mondschein, just a few steps from the bustling city center, fits seamlessly into this family of hotels, the Alto Hotel Group.
What Makes It Special
So what does this place to be look and feel like?
Take a grand South Tyrolean town palace with its own park, add the flair of a modern city hotel (Milan, after all, is only two and a half hours away), and you arrive, pun intended, at the Mondschein (German for “moonlight”).
If you know the group’s other hotels, you will immediately recognize the signature of interior designer Christina Biasi von Berg. All the rooms and suites are different, but the color scheme runs through every room and corridor.
We have stayed at the Mondschein twice, and each time we loved the atmosphere at the open Luna Bar on the ground floor. At 7:30 a.m., when the sun peeks through the palm trees, you grab a fresh croissant, order a strong Italian coffee, sit in the garden and watch the city go by: dolce far niente, the Italian art of doing nothing.
Specials
Doing nothing, however, is not so easy at the Parkhotel Mondschein. As at the group’s other hotels, guests can choose from an extensive program of yoga and relaxation. The free 7:30 a.m. workouts are the real deal: unlike at many wellness hotels, they mean business here, so be prepared to sweat.
Dining
The hotel’s own restaurant, Luna, serves a lavish breakfast with a buffet and an additional à la carte menu. At lunch and dinner, it turns into one of Bolzano’s true foodie hot spots, also popular with locals. The waiters wear white jackets like the barmen of a Venetian grand hotel. The menu is Italian with an international touch: local beef tartare, tagliatelle with duck ragù, Treviso-style risotto, filet steak with a choice of sides and, of course, outstanding wines from the surrounding vineyards.
Things are more relaxed at the Luna Bar, where small plates are served in the afternoon and evening, in the garden or by the pool. Beautifully presented: 10 out of 10.
From time to time, international guest chefs host seated dinners in the bar or the garden under the label À Table. For dates, follow the hotel on Instagram.
Party
On Fridays from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., DJs spin at the Luna Bar for DJ’n’Drinks, and you are welcome to dance; in summer, of course, outside in the park, too.
The Surroundings
Bolzano is the perfect base for exploring the region, which is why we always recommend that visitors to South Tyrol mix city and countryside. More of a city person? Browse Bolzano’s beautiful shops and bars. More of a nature lover? From the Mondschein, you can set off into the mountains on foot. A highlight is the Ritten cable car up to Oberbozen, a five-minute walk from the hotel. It runs into the late evening, so you can have dinner up top at the Parkhotel Holzner (gourmet) or the Lobishof (traditional) and still get back down to the hotel.
For more Bolzano tips check this section of the Parkhotel Mondschein website.
Ideal for
Pretty Hotels fans who want to get away for a few days; Bolzano has plenty to offer in summer and winter alike.
Combine With
Since the hotels belong to the same group, we recommend two to three nights at the Parkhotel Mondschein followed by four to five nights at one of its sister hotels: 1477 Reichhalter, Villa Arnica or Schwarzschmied.
Getting There
There are excellent train connections from Innsbruck, Munich and Milan, and Sky Alps flies directly to Bolzano airport from several European cities.
Prices
Doubles from 210 euros, suites from 365 euros, including breakfast.
Booking & Contact
Parkhotel Mondschein
Via Piave 15
39100 Bolzano, South Tyrol
Italy
