Cyprianerhof Dolomites Hotel Review: Luxury Fitness Mornings & Spa Bliss Afternoons in South Tyrol

Where Alpine Peaks Meet the Art of Wellness

Some hotels offer you a bed. Others offer you a view. The 5-star Cyprianerhof Dolomites Hotel offers a philosophy. Its daily rhythm is seductively simple: climb mountains like an Olympian in the morning, surrender to spa decadence in the afternoon, then dine like a Renaissance prince by evening. In short: sweat, steam, feast, repeat.

This alpine sanctuary in South Tyrol is one of Europe’s great wellness retreats, a place where even your lungs feel as if they’ve been exfoliated by the mountain air, and where no one bats an eyelid if you drift through the lobby in a dressing gown at cocktail hour.

South Tyrol – A Little History with Your Hiking

To understand the magic of Cyprianerhof, one must first understand South Tyrol itself. Nestled between Italy and Austria, this region has long danced to its own alpine tune. Once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, it was annexed by Italy after the First World War, creating a cultural blend where Italian passion meets Austrian precision – with German, Ladin and Italian still spoken daily.

This cultural cocktail seeps into everything: the food (dumplings one moment, pasta the next), the architecture (half Tyrolean chalet, half Italian design flair), and the attitude (efficient yet warm, disciplined yet indulgent). It is a land where history is written in three languages but lived with one philosophy: la dolce vita, at altitude.

Arrival in Style – Cable Cars, Strudel and Stonework

Arriving at Cyprianerhof is an experience in itself. Sure, you could drive or take the cable car like any sensible mortal, but where’s the fun – or the drama – in that? We opted for the ski lift and cable car combination, and it was infinitely more exhilarating. Gliding over alpine meadows that stretch like green silk carpets, we passed philosophical cows and photogenic goats who seemed to nod in approval at our audacity. The mountains unfolded in ever-shifting panoramas, each turn revealing jagged peaks and hidden valleys, until the hotel appeared like a jewel perched in the sky, welcoming us in style.

Stepping inside, the hotel greets you with a sense of calm grandeur that is anything but ordinary. Apple strudel and steaming hot chocolate arrive as if on cue, a gentle reward after the aerial theatrics of our ascent. The lobby is a study in modern alpine design: pine, slate, stone, and glass harmonise with sculptural lamps, contemporary art, and a central bar that could easily serve as a stage for an impromptu performance. Every corner offers a choice of retreat, from quiet reading nooks to lively social spaces, and the expansive terrace invites you to lose yourself in meticulously landscaped gardens that tumble down into the mountains, complete with the occasional grazing goat or philosophically inclined cow.

It is here, in this improbable blend of alpine ruggedness and refined design, that the true rhythm of a stay at Cyprianerhof begins: mornings filled with invigorating mountain adventures, and afternoons surrendered to the sumptuous embrace of the spa.

Suites Designed for Sybarites

Our Premium Loft Room resembled an alpine art installation: emperor-sized bed, pine and slate floors glowing under cleverly concealed lights, a walk-in shower that could double as a spa showcase, and a terrace with the kind of views that make you wonder if you should be paying extra just to look out of the window.

Morning Glory – Hiking, Biking and Humbling Encounters

Hiking holidays in South Tyrol – with extra humility

The Dolomites compel you outdoors. We hiked towards Schutzhaus Tschafon, a rustic alpine hut perched proudly at 1,739 metres. The name sounds a little like a German techno DJ, but rest assured, no glow sticks are required — just sturdy boots and a willingness to pant politely as locals glide past.

The climb is steep but rewarding, punctuated by mountain streams of crystalline clarity and waterfalls crossed by charming wooden bridges. All the while, sprightly octogenarians with walking poles glide past, chatting merrily as if a sheer drop were nothing more than suburban pavement. Smile, gasp Guten Tag, and accept your inferiority.

At the summit, the reward is a fairytale tableau: views that stretch across the jagged Dolomite peaks, horses grazing on emerald lawns, and the chalet Schutzhaus Tschafon serving refreshments that taste suspiciously better at altitude.

Pedal Power and Panic: Mountain Biking Adventures

Cycling enthusiasts will find the Dolomites a playground for the brave. I opted for a non-electric mountain bike, which was immediately a test of hubris as rain clouds gathered. The cable car up was dramatic: first a brief drizzle, then a cloud so thick I could not see the trees a metre away.

Trail 1A down to Tieres was exhilarating and terrifying in equal measure. Hairpins became rivers, rocks became rapids, and my hands turned puce red from the wind.

By the time I staggered into reception, soaked to the marrow and leaving puddles across the slate floor, the receptionist – serene in traditional Tyrolean uniform – raised not an eyebrow. At Cyprianerhof, even swamp creatures are gracefully tolerated.

Afternoon Indulgence – The Spa of Dreams – where glass meets goats

Having proved one’s virtue in the morning, the afternoons are unapologetically devoted to indulgence. The 25-metre pool, fed by the crystal-clear waters of the natural Plafötsch spring and purified solely by salt electrolysis without any added chlorine, sweeps seamlessly from indoors to outdoors, framing the peaks as steam rises theatrically into the alpine air.

Saunas abound: the Swiss Stone Pine sauna, Clay sauna, and a Glass Box sauna with 360-degree views that leave you torn between transcendence and modesty. Towels are very much optional so the occasional hiker may glimpse you in your “natural state.”Outside, the natural swimming pond sparkles beside a sunbathing lawn, while the cold plunge pool ensures no one leaves too complacent.

Walking through the lobby in a dressing gown at cocktail hour becomes an act of liberation. Sequins, tuxedos, robes – all co-exist happily. Wellness here is gloriously democratic.

Dining Like Alpine Royalty

Evenings reward your labours with unapologetic indulgence. In the dramatic dining room of wood and stone, with windows framing the valley, the cuisine blends Tyrolean tradition with creative flair.

A standout was the ‘super salad’ – a vibrant medley of Hokkaido pumpkin, hazelnuts, quinoa, labneh, caramelised onions, and jewel-like pomegranate seeds – followed by the audacious yet harmonious pairing of sashimi tuna with velvety veal carpaccio. The kitchen, helmed by four chefs – Monika from the owning family, Marion, and the two Alessandros – orchestrates each plate with infectious joy, crafting dishes that celebrate creativity and collaboration rather than corporate routine.

Breakfast the following morning was no less imperial: Tyrolean butter in multiple varieties, salmon, prosciutto, pastries, fruit and juices pressed to order. It is less buffet, more banquet.

Culture and Craft – More than a Hotel

Cyprianerhof is not merely about wellness; it is also about culture. The owners, passionate art collectors, host regular exhibitions in painting, music, theatre and literature. Partners Michael and Diego add cosmopolitan verve, ensuring the hotel pulses with cultural life as well as spa steam.

Even the architecture itself is an artwork, each wooden beam and granite slab meticulously crafted to delight. It is less an impersonal hotel, more a living gallery.

Departure – Private Jet Style with SkyAlps

All too soon, departure beckoned. Yet even leaving was charmed. Bolzano airport is so small and serene it feels like a private terminal. SkyAlps flights run on twin-prop planes with just two seats per row (no middle seat torment), allowing guests to arrive barely an hour before departure. Efficiency, style and civility – a fitting farewell.

The Dolomites’ Luxury Rhythm

The Cyprianerhof Dolomites Hotel has a rhythm: mornings of exhilarating exertion, afternoons of pine-scented indulgence, evenings of gastronomic reward. It is health and hedonism entwined, discipline and decadence sharing a glass of wine under the peaks.

If you seek a summer holiday that restores body, mind and soul – and allows you to justify that second dessert – look no further. Cyprianerhof is a delightfully unusual luxury fitness and spa retreat in South Tyrol, where rigorous alpine mornings meet afternoons of indulgent spa bliss – a holiday that feels entirely different, yet effortlessly irresistible.

Discover Cryprianerhof Hotel Dolomites here.

Travel Information

We flew with SkyAlps – the only airline offering direct flights from the UK to Bolzano, gateway to the Dolomites. Twice-weekly services from London Gatwick start from €184 each way, increasing to three weekly flights (Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays) in July and August. Infants under two fly free. skyalps.com

The Cyprianerhof Dolomit Resort is part of Belvita Leading Wellnesshotels Südtirol, a collection of South Tyrol’s finest wellness resorts renowned for luxurious well-being, premium spas, personalised fitness, light alpine-Mediterranean cuisine, and holistic relaxation experiences. https://www.belvita.it/en?

We parked our car with Holiday Extras — a smooth, effortless meet-and-greet service that made the start of our journey wonderfully stress-free.