Hotel Schloss Sonnenburg, Bruneck, Bolzano - ahotelinitaly.com

Hotel Schloss Sonnenburg, near Bolzano

Originally a beautiful old castle, Hotel Schloss Sonnenburg is located in San Lorenzo di Sebato (or St Lorenzen) in the northern region of Trentino-South Tyrol. Just 50 kilometres from Bolzano, the 1000-year-old castle was a nuns' cloister for many centuries. Perched on the Rienz valley, it was one of the most prestigious for noblewomen to attend and consequently is rich with myths and stories as well as frescoes, paintings and shrines.

A fantastic skiing and hiking location, the Kronplatz resort is only five kilometres away and Alta Badia and Hochpuster, 25 kilometres away. The Puster valley offers great cross-country skiing; rafting and cycling is also available. For families there is the Pustertal nature and wildlife park, the Hochpustertal snowman park and climbing at Schwarzbach Alm.

This four-star hotel's spacious, bright rooms are exquisitely furnished and some have elaborate ceiling paintings dating back to 1770. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the old abbess's hall and all ingredients come from the hotel's own garden or neighbouring farms. The menu offers traditional Italian cuisine and South Tyrolean specialities and include special starters, fresh salads and fruits and regional cheeses. The indoor pool and relaxation room incorporates arches dating back to the 13th century. Massage and the herbally infused sauna are available to help you relax, while the sauna's garden has spectacular views of the Rieserferner mountains. The abbess's old herb garden has been carefully restored and has more than 200 medicinal herbs. There is also a nearby golf course.

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Double room from €89