A travel back in time at Parkhotel Luna Mondschein [Bolzano]

There are places we go not only for experiences but for specific feelings. Visiting Parkhotel Luna Mondschein, nestled amongst the Dolomites in a picturesque town of Bolzano, gives you exactly that impression. Located in a building dating back to 1890, it combines Italian and Austrian influences. A dominant architectural style is Belle Époque but there are also more impressing, historic bits such as the medieval annex constructed in the 1320s.

The renovation of the place was led by studio Biquadra. The theme for the rooms? “Cinematic Italian” featuring rich, dark woods, velvets, and insets of modern furniture icons. No surprise that upon arrival, one feels as if entering a movie scene written by Luchino Visconti. The hotel’s impressive courtyard and façade covered with ivy make for a truly filmic setting. With the doors of hotel’s Luna Bar opening on the garden, one is invited to sit and enjoy the sun, sipping on one of the restaurant’s signature cocktails starring Campari Vodka and Negroni.

Stepping into the reception, the visitors are greeted with modernist details. Dark wooden panels are lit up with a healthy dose of natural light coming in through tall windows. Monocle books, stacks of independent magazines and handmade ceramics make you feel as if you could easily unpack your luggage in the lobby, tuck yourself into one of the comfy chairs and doze off with a Corriere della Sera on your lap. But it gets better once you walk through one of the hotel’s long, wide corridors, straight into your room.

The unassuming yet luxe feel of the space was achieved through a mix of old with the new. Chevron floors meet meticulously crafted carpentry and artworks from female artists – Irene Fernández Arcas and Karla Hiraldo Voleau. The herbal scent of Susanne Kaufmann’s toiletries creates a serene, relaxed atmosphere that is complemented with beautiful mountain views and surrounding greenery. No surprise that the owners – the ALTO Group – have decided to turn Parkhotel into a spa retreat that adds to its design charms. On the ground floor, one can enjoy daily yoga classes run by arise – an in-house studio hosting some of the most famous, internationally yoga teachers. There’s also a gym and a sauna, offering the utmost sense of tranquility that Bolzano exudes.

The already mentioned Luna Bar serves small snacks from fresh, local produce, mixing the best of Italian tastes with Austrian delicacies. Be prepared for delicious bites such as polenta with gorgonzola dolce or a zucca salad with a classic burrata. Part of Parkhotel’s charm is that apart from its guests, there are always groups of locals occupying the garden bar seats, chatting & sipping on Aperol Spritzes, enjoying the shade from the tall palm trees that look a bit abstract settled within this mountainous landscape.

With all its historic grandeur & vibrant initiatives, Parkhotel Luna Mondschein is a place to be. Apart from organizing yoga retreats, it also runs regular artistic residencies and “À Table” weekends during which European chefs are invited to compose dedicated dining menus. “For the eyes, mind and the body” seems to be a motto driving the owners who are constantly redefining what modern hospitality is about. To rest yet to allow oneself to be astounded.

Photography by Kacper Godlewski

www.parkhotelmondschein.com