Vigilius, Monte San Vigilio

24 January 2016

Words: Ivan Carvalho / Images: Vigilius

Italy’s South Tyrol region is considered by many as an Alpine Shangri-La, with its unique mountain scenery punctuated by the Dolomites, top-quality cuisine borrowing from Tyrolean and Mediterranean influences, prized winemakers and the countless hiking trails and ski slopes dotted across its picturesque landscape.

The perfect perch to enjoy the area’s hospitality is found at Vigilius, a high-altitude refuge situated at 1,500 metres atop a mountain and accessible only by cable car. Designed by Matteo Thun, a native of South Tyrol, the award-winning 21st century property’s clean lines and lattice facade elegantly integrates into the forested landscape and incorporates wood reclaimed from a 300-year-old Alpine barn and locally quarried quartz rock.

The scent of larch wood upon entering the hotel gives way to breathtaking views from its upstairs gourmet restaurant. To relax there’s a reading room with open fireplace and a coveted spa that uses beauty products by Trehs, using mountain pine oil from the local Sarntal Valley.

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