I have said it before, travelling the Dolomites and South Tyrol in particular, it often feels like you’re travelling through Austria. It’s the mountains combined with the traditional alpine chalets, and red geraniums hanging from the balconies.
Arriving at Hotel Winkler Sport & Spa Resort we were slightly confused. It was again a classic alpine chalet we arrived at. We had checked the hotel online, and photos showed a very luxurious and modern hotel. Walking up to the entrance of the hotel, we honestly thought we were at the wrong Winkler Hotel. But then, walking through the entrance it’s like going through a time machine, from traditional alpine to extremely modern and luxurious. Absolutely fantastic!
Exploring and experiencing this amazing hotel, throughout our stay I more and more started to like these two faces of the hotel. Once more another lesson learned, don’t judge too soon, you might be surprised later on.
Upon check in we handed in the keys to our car, which was driven to the underground garage to our reserved spot, 131, same as our room number.
Location
Hotel Winkler Sport & Spa Resort is tucked away in a green mountain landscape. It’s located just one kilometer from the famous and popular holiday destination Plan de Corones. It’s the perfect place to escape from the daily hustle, while still being fairly close and having easy access to numerous opportunities to explore, experience and enjoy.
This hotel is located close to the towns of Bruneck and San Lorenzo. Easily accessible by train traveling to Pustertal and onwards to San Lorenzo or Bruneck. From these train stations, the hotel offers a shuttle service to pick you up, just simply let them know your scheduled time of arrival.
Closest airports to Hotel Winkler are Bolzano at 70km, and Innsbruck at 110km. The Alto Adige-Südtirol bus service takes you to the airports of Innsbruck, Munich, Verona, Bergamo or Milan to South Tyrol and back.
The Messner Mountain Museum is one of the absolute must do’s in the surrounding area. The Kronplatz cable car is located just 2km from Hotel Winkler Sport & Spa Resort and is the most fun and easy way to make it up to the mountain. Visit the museum and enjoy the endless mountain views.
Room 131 – Suite Berg XL
Arriving at this hotel was truly a next level experience. After having checked in at the front desk, we were taken to the hotel bar and were offered some drinks and some bites. While enjoying our drinks we were explained everything about the hotel, the spa, wellness and sauna, the weekly program, everything!
After this very warm welcome we were given a short tour through the buffet and restaurant area, before being guided to our room. We were given room 131, the Suite Berg XL, and it surely is an extra-large room. I think it is even the biggest room we have ever had.
It had three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a very large balcony, a dining area and seven beds in the three bedrooms! Honestly, I didn’t even know where to start and where to go.
I wish we had taken our four nephews and nieces with us, plenty of room for them, and so much fun things to do, just keep reading.
There is a bed-menu, just in case you need an extra or firmer pillow, separate blankets or an extra topper. Just contact reception and they will make it happen.
They also offer a turn down service, which is one of my favorite features of hotels. They come by to make your room ready for the night ahead. The room comes with a spa basket, which is filled with towels, bathrobes and slippers for you to use throughout your stay.
Südtirol Guest Pass
This is something I’ve really started to like about hotels in the Dolomites and South Tyrol. Because staying at Hotel Winkler comes with a lot of extra’s. One of these amazing extra’s is the Südtirol Guest Pass, which comes with plenty of benefits.
It provides you free access to all types of public transport, such as train and bus. Furthermore, it includes the shuttle bus services of the Seiser Alm holiday area and access to the Renon, Colle, Maranza, San Genesio, Meltina and Verano cable cars. It also gives you access to the narrow-track railway on the Ritten mountain and the cable railway up to the Mendel Mountain.
It also includes free guided tours of the town of Bruneck, and various discounts, for example to the cableway from Reischach to the top of Kronplatz. The card is valid for 7 days and is personal and non-transferable.
¾ Board Hotel Winkler
The ¾ board that comes with a stay at Hotel Winkler Sport & Spa Resort is by far the best we have ever had. Such a huge and extensive breakfast and lunch buffet, unbelievable.
This gourmet ¾ board means having a breakfast and lunch buffet and a six course dinner. Walking up to the breakfast and lunch buffets, it felt like I was walking through a candy shop. Colorful, fresh products and ingredients and beautifully presented.
A very large buffet with plenty of choice, salads, bread, sweets and healthy treats, savory bites, champagne, everything! Never have I had such an extensive buffet selection.
Breakfast and lunch are served from the buffet. You can even come to the lunch buffet wearing your swimsuit and bathrobe if you’re enjoying the spa and wellness area.
At breakfast your table is completely set, coffee and tea are served at your table where you will also find the daily news letter with the program, weather and activities for the day ahead.
You will also find the bill from the day before at breakfast. They ask you to sign the bill, payment will take place upon check out.
Dinner is from the menu and served in several courses. The food is of very high quality and presented very creatively and professional.
Kids Paradise
Okay, fair enough, it’s way more than just a kids paradise. As two adults I must admit, we had the time of our life at Hotel Winkler. Our inner child came to life big time.
Let’s take you to floor -2 for this kids and adult paradise. Here you’ll find the gym with more equipment you could imagine, a yoga room and storage room for skis and bikes. But that’s not what we came for. Because there is much more to find at this level of the hotel.
Here you will find pool tables, table tennis, table football, air hockey, but that’s not all, there is so much more. Because they also have a large climbing wall, yeah totally!
And next to this climbing wall you will also find a large indoor sports hall, with basketball rings, soccer goals and a volleyball net.
Tired after all these sporty activities? Finish your day at the indoor cinema. Yes, this hotel has a cinema showing three movies per day. Hotel Winkler has it all!
For the little ones among us there’s also Winky’s World, a playground for the youngest members of the family with an all-day supervisor. Offering plenty of activities to keep your kids busy.
Pool & Wellness Area
This hotel has the largest wellness, pool and spa area we have ever seen. The main indoor pool is connected to a lovely heated outdoor pool, with another, even warmer pool next to it. There is also a children’s pool with toys and slides. Both indoor and outdoor there are plenty of loungers for you to lie down and just relax.
Next to the main indoor pool you will also find a larger relax area including a large book closet. Pick your book and have a relaxed read at your lounger.
The spa area has a separated adult only and nude area. There are another two pools in this area, one is called the Adam and Eve pool.
This area offers it all, saunas, infrared, loungers, beds, another outdoor pool and an adult only terrace.
The main area of the spa, near the reservation desk, there is a large area with couches and phone chargers. Also, here you’ll find a complimentary refreshments bar where you can get water, juices, dried fruits and nuts. You can take these drinks and snacks to your loungers next to the pool.
This wellness area also offers plenty of massages and treatments, just check in at the reservation desk and have your appointment made.
At the back of the hotel there is a large grassy area with a playground for kids and more loungers, even with a jacuzzi as well.
Hotel Winkler Sport & Spa Resort Activities
Hotel Winkler Sport & Spa Resort and the other Winkler Hotels offer plenty of activities throughout the year, whether you’re visiting in Summer or in Winter. During the Summer they offer a weekly program, with something for everyone and all ages. Guided hikes, bike tours, shuttle services or having a go at the Golf Club Pustertal, the Winkler hotels have it all covered for you. But they also offer daily and weekly spa and wellness activities, pilates & yoga sessions, sauna infusions and so much more.
They offer a special weekly MTB program with mountain bike introduction, training and tours. You can rent a mountain bike at the hotel if you want to participate.
Some nights they have live music at the hotel bar. After dinner we walked towards our room and heard some live music coming from somewhere. A musician was playing some lovely music on his guitar at the bar.
Next to Hotel Winkler Sport & Spa Resort there are three other Winkler properties located in the surrounding area. All these hotels offer their own activities, and if you want you can join activities like playing golf or horse riding at one of these other hotels. Or you can be booked in for a fancy dinner at one of the other properties.
Always wanted to go paragliding, but never really had the opportunity to do? Hotel Winkler and the Dolomites are the perfect place to go paragliding. You can book your flight right at the hotel, just inform at the reception and book this unique activity.
Thinking of taking home some unique Winkler merchandise or want to do some souvenir shopping? Hotel Winkler has a small shop with the loveliest items right next to the reception.
Amazing Experience
Hotel Winkler Sport & Spa Resort truly is something special and stands out. It’s way more than just a hotel, it’s a luxury spa retreat, a getaway for sport fans in the Dolomites, a family resort and a prestigious designer hotel tucked away in the green.
Service is extremely professional and personal, right from the first steps into this hotel. From inviting you to a drink at the bar and explaining everything about the hotel, to walking you to your room, and the personal service during dinner every evening. It’s outstanding, very well done!
Upon check out we were given a small gift. A recipe booklet full of delicacies from the Winkler hotels, culinary enjoyment like on vacation.
Hotel Winkler is in a league of its own, a unique combination of extreme luxury, design and exclusive concept makes this hotel rise far above the rest.
Clearly this hotel has impressed us hugely and we would choose this hotel again without any doubts. Something to celebrate, or just want to treat yourself on that luxurious wellness experience? Definitely choose Hotel Winkler Sport & Spa Resort, you won’t regret it.
In fact, I hope to travel back to the Dolomites one day to explore the other Winkler properties.
This blog was written by travel writer and Traveltomtom team member Ashley. She travelled the Dolomites and Northern Italy early September and stayed at Hotel Winkler Sport & Spa Resort on behalf of Traveltomtom and wrote this blog about her experiences of this hotel.