The Preidlhof way, a new way of living

It’s impossible to know where to start when reviewing Preidlhof, a luxury hotel in Naturns, South Tyrol. Why? That bit is easy; it’s an all-singing, all-dancing destination spa hotel with bells and whistles. Whilst some of the contemporary design may not be to everyone’s taste (the odd purple velvet chair here, silver pumpkins there), it’s soon overlooked once immersed in the Preidlhof experience. Suites in the main building are huge and modern with large balconies overlooking the valley of Naturns filled with apple orchards and the lush green mountainside across the river. If you’ve never slept under the stars, this is the place to do it; a bed, along with a large candle, sits on your balcony and you can decide, day by day, whether you would like it made up for that evening. It’s an experience like no other and should you at any time (I didn’t) feel a little cold there’s a heater on the wall to warm you up. This is one of the most romantic bedroom settings I’ve come across, idyllic for rekindling a relationship, honeymooners or if travelling alone simply enjoying the star-filled skies above with fresh mountain air. I guarantee you’ll wake wholly refreshed. There’s a pillow menu with a choice of eight pillows including scented and cherry pillows filled with pips that mould to your head and neck for the best night’s sleep. Open-plan bathrooms (the loo is separate) feature two basins with a large walk-in two-person shower complete with a heated towel rail and plenty of natural shower and body products including an apricot kernel body scrub. A spa bag with towels, a backpack and a hiking belt are all provided in the suites.

Suppose you’ve chosen one of the many programmes your schedule will be waiting for you in your suite on arrival with the timings of treatments and where you need to go. In that case, each programme starts with an initial consultation in the spa (which, although is in another building can be accessed without going outside). Most of the time you will be floating around in your slippers and bathrobe from treatment to sauna to pool to treatment to lunch. The most important thing to remember during your time here is to surrender yourself to the Preidlhof way.

Let’s talk about the staff. A luxury hotel is nothing without a great team of staff and at Preidlhof the hotel and spa experience is matched by a friendly, knowledgeable team providing professional, friendly and personal service; the owners (since when?) are on-site working with the team and take just two weeks holiday a year. Their dedication is evident in the smooth running of the hotel and the happy team that supports them.

The food at Preidlhof is delicious (more German, than Italian in style) and you can choose a gourmet spa menu (carefully selected vegetarian dishes), a bespoke dietary programme or go a la carte. There’s a great wine list too so you can enjoy a pampering break, a detox, a juice fast or gourmet escape, no hard and fast rules here! Dress up for dinner, dress down for breakfast and feast on the vitality buffet in your slippers and dressing gown.

If you have health goals in mind then pick a programme that suits you, or the team at Preidlhof can make one bespoke to you, depending on what you want to achieve; alternatively, book a suite and add on treatments and experiences once you’re there. Shiatsu with Andrea is a must as is integrated healing with Martin. If you’re a water baby at heart, then a water therapy session with Pamela is a surreal and truly unique experience in a pool (heated to 38 degrees) on the rooftop of the sauna tower. The sauna tower is open from 11 a.m. every day. It is spread across four floors featuring every type of sauna experience you can think of from a nude wine sauna and steam room to a Himalayan salt room to an herb sauna and light experience. There’s also a nude-only rooftop area.

The gym looks across one of the swimming pools and is flooded with light and equipped with only the best (Technogym) equipment. Swimmers should head to the sports pool on the roof with a timer button so you can be sure you’re keeping up with the pace. From here you can soak up breathtaking 360-degree views across the surrounding mountains, hills and valleys and take some photos from the famous Instagram spot. Bring your hiking boots or some comfy trainers; it would be a shame to come to Preidlhof and not enjoy a mountain walk. Alternatively, sit back, relax, surrender and be cocooned by the Preidlhof way, a new way of living.

 Rating 10/10