Vigilius Mountain Resort

The southern Tyrol

The small town of Lana is located in northeastern Italy in the province of Balzano, in the heart of the southern Tyrol, a region dear to the hearts of history and nature lovers. The city and its surrounding area are particularly rich in historic monuments. Religion left a deep imprint on the city and on its architectural heritage, with dozens of churches, monasteries and convents. Saint Margaret’s church, still in good condition, is a fine example of medieval architecture, with a magnificent 13^th century fresco in the center. The Niederlana parish church is in Gothic style and possesses one of the largest altars of its kind, the Schnatterpeck altar named after the sculptor, and superbly carved in wood and delicately gilded. In this historical and classical atmosphere, contemporary art has managed to find a little free space all along the streets of the city. Nature also plays an important part in the region. Thanks to a relatively mild climate, it has appropriated this space, reserving it for lovers of hiking and fresh air, making it a perfect place to get away. The nearby national park possesses preserved flora and fauna, with 33,000 hectares designed for nature walks. In the mountains, there are waterfalls and rapids as well as lakes, where if you’re lucky, you might come across a trail used by marmots or squirrels. Finally, the Trauttmansdorff Gardens in Merano are must stop in order to enjoy the splendor of this site, which, in 2005, was designated as Italy’s most beautiful garden.

Take a deep breath; you’re at Vigilius

Choosing this five-star hotel means choosing one’s physical and mental well-being. Perched at an altitude of 1500 meters, peace and quiet reign supreme here. Access to the Vigilius Mountain Resort is only possible via an overhead cable car leaving from Lana, meaning there are no cars in the area.

Once you’ve arrived on the site, what strikes you first is the gentle feeling emitted by the wood and glass building. And once you’ve gone through the door of the reception area, the same gentle feeling prevails. The simplicity of the site’s organization and especially the decorations in both the common areas and the rooms rely on natural materials like wood, which is present from floor to ceiling or stone. The hotel’s 41 rooms are designed and decorated in a warm manner. They all have parquet floors, large beds covered with linen sheets and a balcony with a breathtaking view of the Dolomites or the Val d’Ultimo. Two restaurants propose either international dishes or Italian and alpine specialties.

To spoil your body a little, you can head for the hotel’s spa, get the advice of a physical trainer or relax in the indoor pool. Another important advantage is that at the foot of the ski slopes, the Vigilius offers a service of renting or purchasing equipment, so that guests can take to the slopes with as little hassle as possible.

In the 19^th century, Merano, a thermal spa village just five kilometers from Lana, received a true VIP: Elisabeth, the Empress of Austria, better known by the name of Sissi!