Hotel Bella Vista- South Tyrol

A nest beneath Ortler

At the foot of Ortler, South Tyrol’s highest peak, Hotel Bella Vista opens a new chapter in its 150‑year history. Designed by architect Matteo Thun, the expansion interprets the dialogue between nature and architecture in the heart of Stelvio National Park. Inspired by the image of a “nest” in the mountains, the new wing combines contemporary design, high‑altitude panoramas, and spaces dedicated to wellbeing.

For co‑owner Gustav Thöni, Olympic champion and lifelong friend of Thun, the project is both personal and symbolic. “We have talked about it for years, and finally seeing it come to life here in Trafoi is something unique. It is a symbol of a friendship that endures over time and the love we share for these mountains,” he reflects.

The architecture is light and organic, with exterior wooden structures and panoramic windows that dissolve boundaries between interior and exterior. Nature is not backdrop but protagonist: each suite is conceived as an observatory over the peaks, a quiet retreat where silence and space become the true luxuries. Interiors by Christina Biasi von Berg of Studio Biquadra extend Thun’s vision, while engineer Wolfgang Oberdörfer oversaw structural and urban planning.

The expansion unfolds in phases. December 2025 saw the completion of the lounge bar Home of Gold, an intimate space narrating Thöni’s sporting legacy and the legendary Valanga Azzurra. The new reception, bridging the 1875 building and the contemporary wing, symbolises continuity between past and present. In May 2026, 24 new suites opened, each framing the Stelvio landscape with large windows and natural light as a design element.

Wellbeing is conceived as a natural extension of the landscape. The adult spa and relaxation zone immerse guests in mountain panoramas. An infinity pool opens toward the Trafoi Canyon, reflecting sky and peaks in its horizon. Saunas — infrared, bio, Turkish bath, and family — join a “Fire and Ice” relaxation area where fireplace and snow shower dramatise Alpine identity. Outdoors, a panoramic sauna sits beside a spring‑fed lake, while the “Nature Arena” invites contemplation of the surrounding mountains. Families find dedicated spaces too: a children’s pool, family sauna, and the adventure slide Waterfall.

With this new wing, Hotel Bella Vista redefines alpine hospitality. In this nest beneath Ortler, true luxury remains the same as always: space, silence, and an ongoing dialogue with the high mountains.