Over the decades, the Parkhotel Laurin has welcomed numerous famous guests. Among the first were the Austrian imperial family and the German royal family. More recently, film maker Wim Wenders, the Dalai Lama (who always had breakfast at half past four in the morning) and Patty Smith have stayed here.
The location
Just around the corner from Alcide Berloffa Park and the Bolzano railway station one will find the hotel with its large, spacious grounds. Here, guests can escape the hustle and bustle of the streets.
Backstory
In 1909, the Staffler family of hoteliers acquired the property in Bolzano where the Knoll inn was located at the time. Within a year and a half, the Hotel König Laurin was to be built here. It was not the first hotel owned by the family, as they had already owned the Hotel Greif on Waltherplatz in Bolzano since 1816 and the Hotel Bristol, which had to make way for a commercial and residential building in 1961.
Hotelier Franz Staffler envisioned a hotel like those he had seen in big cities. Outside, a typical grand hotel with a historic façade; inside, a cosy atmosphere with modern Art Nouveau elements.
At the time of its opening, the Laurin was one of the most modern hotels in Europe. The building had a fire protection system, compressor-powered lifts and rooms that were all equipped with electric lighting.
During the First World War, tourism came to a standstill. The Austro-Hungarian High Command set up its headquarters in the Laurin, followed shortly afterwards by the Italian High Command.
Although guests returned in the 1920s, the hotel closed again a few years later, at the beginning of the Second World War in 1939. It was not until 1948, after the severe damage caused by bombing during the war had been repaired, that the Laurin reopened.
Shortly after opening, as cars became increasingly popular, Franz Staffler and his sons Max and Franz Junior had an idea: they wanted to build a petrol station in addition to the hotel’s own garage. The idea was not welcomed by everyone in Bolzano. After approval from the ministry in Vienna, the petrol pump was finally installed—the third petrol station in Austria-Hungary at that time, after Vienna and Prague.
By the end of the 1970s, the hotel was showing clear signs of age. Recent university graduate Franz Staffler took over the hotel and completely rebuilt it from the ground up.
In 1990, Staffler finally commissioned the Viennese architect Boris Podrecca. Together with the Bolzano architect Albert Mascotti, he embarked on a four-year renovation of the hotel.
Art Nouveau furniture made of cherry wood and rubbed lacquer was restored, old double windows were freshly painted and expensive wooden blinds were preserved. Historic window and door handles were also allowed to remain in place.
Podrecca drafted numerous designs for carpets, pear wood panelling, sofas, chairs and beds, which were then manufactured in the hotel’s own carpentry workshop. Sometimes, however, several prototypes were necessary before the perfect result could be achieved.
Architecture & interior
In 1910, architects Alois and Gustav Ludwig designed this Art Nouveau hotel. All 100 rooms, including 8 single rooms and 7 junior suites, are furnished in three different styles.
While some rooms are decorated with new or antique cherry wood furniture, others feature white, polished lacquer pieces—all of which were crafted in the hotel’s own carpentry workshop.
The roof terrace at the highest point of the Laurin offers what is probably the most beautiful view over the rooftops of Bolzano.
For guests requiring more space, such as families with children, the rooms can be connected to form 7 additional large suites. Some of the rooms also feature their own kitchenette.
While the Laurin Suite 1910 is decorated entirely with pieces from the 1910s, the rest of the hotel’s furnishings span 115 years of history. But the walls are decorated with art from the early 20th century to today. This includes South Tyrolean landscapes by Robert Zinner and Maria Delago, as well as a painting of a brain by Christian Fogarolli. All rooms at Laurin are decorated with original works of art from the 20th century.
At the Parkhotel Laurin, guests can choose between different types of pillows free of charge: the hotel offers pillows filled with down feathers, sheep’s wool, millet, spelt, horsehair or neck support pillows. Those who fall in love with their pillow of choice can also purchase it to take home.
Cuisine
The Laurin Restaurant is located in an original Art Nouveau salon that can seat up to 40 guests. The mirrored hall, which can be connected to the restaurant, offers space for another 40 guests. The cuisine combines South Tyrolean traditions with Mediterranean influences, creating modern interpretations using regional products.
When temperatures are mild, the restaurant opens its doors to the park. Inside, paintings of trees from Laurin Park adorn the the restaurant. In 2013, artist Marilù Eustachio painted them on the walls. By using different colours and shades, she gave the room both depth and lightness.
Guests can enjoy culinary delights from morning until late evening, starting with breakfast, followed by lunch and dinner.
The Laurin Bar, could be described as Bolzano’s cultural living room, where international and local guests mingle.
Its frescoes, originally created in 1911 by the famous Art Nouveau painter Bruno Goldschmitt, tell the legend of Laurin, the dwarf king, and still lend the bar its distinctive character today. In summer, on mild evenings, life moves outside.
Just a few steps away, in the partner hotel ‘Greif’, one will find Bolzano’s cocktail hotspot, the Grifoncino Cocktail Bar. Here guests can enjoy refreshing drinks that are seasonal and not on the menu.
A historic park
In the 19th century, the lavish Moser Garden was already considered a top attraction in Bolzano. In 1909, it became a key part of the plan for the Parkhotel Laurin, owned by the Staffler family, who bought the park and other land. Over the years, the park has become a lively part of the hotel, offering a place to enjoy events and aperitifs and spend mild summer evenings.
Based on English landscape gardens, the park owes its dreamlike atmosphere to old trees, flowering shrubs and purposefully placed lines of sight that run through the grounds.
Old sequoias tower high above the other treetops, symbolising the slow growth of the park and its wealth of ancient, rare plants and trees. Its flora boasts Himalayan cedars, weeping pines, yews, ginkgos and Chinese winterflowers. A Merano rose climbs up a cedar tree to lofty heights.
The Laurin rose garden features numerous varieties of roses, creating an atmospheric backdrop for celebrations and weddings. Among centuries-old trees and blossoming nature, one can find contemporary sculptures in the 4,000-square-metre park.
Not only hotel guests have access to the park, but also locals, who enjoy spending their lunch breaks here or reading a book under one of the old trees. This way, the park acts as a bridge between the hotel, visitors and Bolzano’s residents. The hotel’s efforts to maintain the park and its contents as well as keeping it open to the public have been honoured by the city with an award.
Wellness & Relaxation
Throughout the year, whether surrounded by blooming flowers or the first snowflakes, the Laurin’s outdoor pool is open, as it is heated to 26 degrees in winter. Relaxing whirlpool loungers tempt guests to linger and read while their gaze wanders over the tall treetops.
Right next to the pool is a Finnish sauna and a glass-enclosed relaxation area, which is open to guests during the colder months. In summer 2026, the wellness facilities will be expanded to include a new gym and fitness area.
Details
Rooms
- Suite Laurin 1910: 47 m², from €556
- Junior Suite: 45 m², from €426
- Deluxe: 35 m², from €334
- Superior: 30 m², from €277
- Comfort: 25 m², from €216
- Standard: 20 m², from €198
- Single: 18 m², from €176
- Rooftop Room: 35 m², from €354
- Junior Family Suite: 40 m², from €469
- Family Suite: 60 m², from €772
- Deluxe Family Suite: 70 m², from €682
- Rooftop Suite: 56 m², from €811
Culinary
Opening hours:
- Breakfast: 07:00 – 10:30 a.m.
- Bar & bistro: Daily 07:00 a.m. – 01:00 p.m.
- Restaurant Laurin: breakfast 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., at lunchtime 12:00 – 2:30 p.m. & evenings 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Sauna
Opening hours: daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. throughout the year.
Pets
Dogs are very welcome. Please note that they must remain outside in the restaurant.
Experiences
- Aperitivo Lungo: Cocktails, Italian delicacies, DJ music at Laurin Bar, every Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m.
- All that music: International jazz stars and local musicians play nuances of soul, swing, blues and chanson. A programme put together by South Tyrol’s most renowned jazz musicians Michl Lösch and Helga Plankensteiner. Every Friday from 9:30 p.m. from October to May at Laurin Bar.
- Live piano music: Every Saturday from 9 p.m. from October to May at Laurin Bar.
