Last Updated on November 21, 2025
High Above Bolzano, sits a haven of calm blending panoramic views, forest trails and fine flavours.
Quietly tucked away in the hillside, just 30 minutes from Bolzano Airport in South Tyrol, sits the serene Hotel Belvedere. Tranquillity greets you on arrival with views that open wide across the valley and beyond to the high peaks of the Dolomites.
A family history rooted in a love for all things local
Sixty-five years of family tradition and a deep love for South Tyrol’s land have come together at Hotel Belvedere. From the 1960s with Grandmother Frieda at the helm to today, two generations later, the former inn turned luxury spa hotel has become a welcoming place of peace and serenity. It has retained a sense of old school charm through the current husband-and-wife team – Hans and Renate. They both exude a warmth and passion for hospitality and family values that extend through to their in-house team as well as the partners they work with. Everyone here is local, and ‘mostly’ everything is locally sourced. It’s a guiding principle that makes them all the more endearing.
Gourmet cuisine rooted in local producers
One of the standout features here is the culinary experience. Hotel Belvedere describes its food as authentically grounded cuisine that reinterprets the classics of South Tyrol and Italy in surprising ways, drawing on local ingredients. Indeed, the chef is as local as you can get. Christian Reiterer was born and raised in San Genesio and knows the surrounding producers by name – the cheesemaker up the hill, the farmer who grows herbs in the meadows, the vintners at Weingut Schmid Oberrautner, whose bottles pair beautifully with his menus, an,d for breakfast, his mother’s farm supplies fresh ‘low cholesterol’ eggs.
Frieda is remembered with a traditional but gourmet ‘Stube’ setting where guests on a half board basis are in for a treat. Chef serves up a generously portioned, exceptionally creative, 5-course tasting menu. I indulged in Beetroot ‘Speck’ and Cheese with Schuttelbrot, Creamy Chestnut Soup, Herb Risotto, Samlet ( a local lake fish) with Pumpkin, rounded off by Chocolate Tart with Fig and Buttermilk Ice Cream. All served with local wines.
Spa, Saunas & Panoramic pool
The wellness offering at Hotel Belvedere is equally compelling. The thoughtfully architected extensions now house an award-winning spa space on multiple levels and feature an outdoor infinity pool, a seasonal bio-pool nestled next to water lilies and grasses and four saunas, including a panorama outdoor sauna and Alpine herbal sauna.
The Salten Plateau, its Larch Trees and Haflinger
Just minutes from the hotel, you can access a network of hiking trails that lead onto the open meadows and ancient larch forests of the Salten Plateau. Larch oil tapped from the trees here carries the grounding and purifying essence of these forests. It is rich in natural antiseptics and anti-inflammatories, which can ease muscle tension, stimulate circulation and bolster immunity – perfect after a day of hiking. The scent reminded me of the forest floor after the rain. I’m glad they can bottle it for guests to buy, as it’s now become part of my nightly ritual, transporting me back to the silence of the hills.
San Genesio is also the home of the Haflinger. A beautiful small horse with a chestnut coat and blond mane. We chanced upon some on our hike, and it was a magical moment as they appeared through the mist as if caught in a fairytale. The numerous riding stables not far from the hotel can offer you a day of riding instead of hiking within the plateau, so you can trot along, foraging herbs for dinner.
Top tip – Ask for Karl as your guide. There is nothing the septuagenarian doesn’t know about this area.
Lunch at a Buschenschänke
In the autumn, farmhouses open up to the public for food and wine. Originally, this was a farmers’ or vineyard workers’ celebration of the harvest and a chance to say thanks to those who had helped. The new wine would be served alongside hearty dishes, followed by roasted chestnuts. Nowadays, you’ll find semi-permanent, rustic taverns – or buschenschänke – like Gasthoff Noafer. Don’t miss a chance to eat here during your stay at Hotel Belvedere – though you may want to skip dinner if you do. Our lunch set me off into a wonderful doze on the journey home – one that only a belly full of delicious carbs and wine can induce.
Bolzano awaits below
If at any time during the stillness, you start to crave the buzz of civilisation, Bolzano awaits below. Just a short cable car ride from the hotel, you’ll find cobbled streets lined with medieval frescos and boutique shopping.
For a bit of culture, the Museo Archeologico dell’Alto Adige, housed in a beautiful heritage building, is home to the world-famous Ice Man ‘Ötzi’ – perhaps the oldest ‘mummy’ in Europe, and there is also the contemporary Museion, which showcases contemporary art and architecture.
Elegant cafés and bars serve mountain-meets-mediterranean cuisine. The hotel concierge can hook you up with suggestions for an ‘aperitivo crawl’. And of course, you can stock up on all that local wine and cheese at the weekly market.
A Haven of Calm and Connection to the Land of South Tyrol
In summary, if you are looking for a getaway where tranquillity, gastronomy and nature are in perfect balance, then Hotel Belvedere in San Genesio is for you.
It offers a retreat that nourishes taste buds, body and soul. Genuine hospitality infuses into every detail to make your stay as relaxed and personalised as possible, so whether you spend your days hiking or riding Haflinger horses across the Salten plateau, floating in the panoramic pool with sundowners, your experience will be one of quiet luxury and local connection.
Travel and Bookings
Keep it in the South Tyrolean family and fly here with SkyAlps, founded by local entrepreneur Josef Gostner. In-flight service is included in the fare and offers regional drinks and snacks to support the local economy.
For the best rates, check Hotel Belvedere’s website for special offers and packages and book directly.
Disclaimer: Urvashi Roe travelled as a guest of SkyAlps and Hotel Belvedere.
Looking for something different? We also visited Hotel Hubertus
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