vigilius

 

The location

Secluded from roads, the vigilius mountain resort is located at an altitude of 1,500 metres above Lana on the Italian-Austrian border.

The hotel can only be reached by cable car. With every metre further away from the villages below, life becomes quieter. Since 1912, when the Vigiljochbahn cable car was built, this place has been a popular holiday destination. Once at the top, friendly staff will take care of the luggage.

 

 

 

Backstory

Ulrich Ladurner not only founded Dr. Schär GmbH, a leading global brand for gluten-free foods, in 1980, but also found himself in front of the neglected Vigiljoch mountain hotel in spring 2001. And there it was, the opportunity to take over the place that had fascinated him for so long.

As a child he had roamed the forests of Mount Vigiljoch. Even then, he had been captivated by the mountain hotel, built in 1912. It made him wonder who was behind its walls. Between the 1930s and 1960s, well-known people from the nobility and politics, like Willi Brandt, came and went here.

But over time, the building fell into disrepair. When he found himself standing in front of the building with renowned South Tyrolean architect Matteo Thun, they began to forge initial plans. Thun had a spontaneous idea that would have a lasting impact on the hotel’s appearance: the vigilius mountain resort could take on the shape of a fallen tree trunk.

 

 

The planning took only a year, the implementation two more. In 2003, the hotel finally opened. Twenty years late, in 2023, Ingrid Ladurner took over the management of the vigilius and, together with hotel manager Vera Dejori, she is continuing the legacy.

 

 

Architecture & interior

After the old mountain hotel fell into disrepair, the vigilius mountain resort found its place and integrated itself into the surrounding landscape in a sustainable symbiosis.

‘Eco, not ego’, that’s the guiding principle of owner Ulrich Ladurner and architect Matteo Thun. For them, nature isn’t just a pretty backdrop, but something they’ve thoughtfully included in every decision. Inside and outside blend together through thoughtful design and architecture.

 

 

The vigilius mountain resort is the first hotel in Italy to be certified with the Klimahaus A label. Its efforts to achieve a respectful symbiosis with nature have been recognised with the Michelin Key and EarthCheck certification.

The hotel is heated with biomass, using wood chips sourced from local mountain farmers. Thanks to the hotel’s construction, heating requirements are very low despite its exposed location at high altitude.

 

 

Sophisticated simplicity. That’s the foundation of the hotel’s architectural concept. It’s meant to draw attention to the things that really matter.

 

 

Architect Matteo Thun designed the sustainable mountain hotel. Inspired by the landscape of Mount Vigiljoch, he created a modern, rustic design using larch wood, large glass elements, natural stone and clay.

 

 

The use of these materials allows the design hotel to blend seamlessly into the forests and meadows. Boundaries become blurry. Larch wood is not only found in the hotel’s natural surroundings, but also inside: untreated in the outdoor area, natural in the indoor area.

At vigilius, light wood meets exposed beams, stone meets concrete and clay plaster silver quartzite. Large panoramic glass façades bathe the interior in daylight, while the green flat roof and fine wooden slats protect against overheating in summer.

 

 

The 41 rooms and suites, which are bathed in the soft light of the morning or enveloped in the warmth of the evening depending on their location, underline the architect’s vision with their timeless interior design.

Their minimalist, modern interior is made of wood and stone. A clay wall stands between the sleeping and the bathing area, not only separating the two spaces but also heated from the inside. The terraces of the rooms overlook the Dolomites or the Ulten Valley.

 

 

Once the last visitors leave the hotel at 7 p.m. and take the last gondola down to the valley, it becomes even quieter high up in the mountains. In the Piazza, relaxing evenings with long conversations on red velvet sofas await.

 

 

Cuisine

When the morning sun floods the panoramic restaurant, breakfast lures in the first guests. Prepared with fresh, regional ingredients, the hotel not only serves what many consider to be the most important meal of the day, but also boasts a view of the Mount Vigiljoch region.

Delicious food meets fine wines, clean architectural lines pair with natural materials, and panoramic windows offer views of Lana and the surrounding valley. It all comes together at Restaurant 1500.

 

 

Daniel Sanin and his team focus on clear, contemporary cuisine based on regional and seasonal products. Rythmically following the seasons, their quality defines the dishes’ flavours.

 

 

External guests are also welcome to visit the restaurant upon prior reservation, where they can also feast their eyes on the view of the Dolomites and forests.

 

 

Whether sitting outside on the sun terrace taking in the fresh mountain air or inside next to the 100-year-old tiled stove, Stube Ida serves seasonal delicacies from South Tyrol.

Dishes are served with a modern twist in a cosy and convivial atmosphere.

 

 

 

Wellness & relaxation

Tranquility, exercise and a alpine scenery. With over 1,200 square metres of space, the Aquiléia Spa features a swimming pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room and modern fitness room.

In exclusive partnership with Team Dr. Joseph, the spa offers nourishing beauty treatments for the face and body.

 

 

Wellness massages, yoga and Pilates classes, guided forest bathing and hikes in the nearby countryside round off the spa experience. Regional specialities can also be found here, such as the hay bath, where you actually bathe in hay.

 

 

Water from the hotel’s taps originates from the mountain springs of Mount Vigiljoch. Since the 1960s, it is transported via a network of canals and tunnels to Merano, 1,200 metres below, where it is bottled as mineral water.

 

 

 

Surrounding area

In the midst of Lana and the Mount Vigiljoch region, different species thrive in every season: crocuses heralding spring, flowering alpine meadows, alpine roses, mountain anemones, cranberries and foxgloves in summer. Wild orchids grow on old walls. In the middle of the nature reserve lies the Schwarze Lacke, just a few minutes’ walk away. Here one can hear the croaking of frogs, the buzzing of dragonflies and the splashing of fish in the water.

 

 

 

Activities

Every spring, when the first flowers bloom, the Blütenhöfefest invites guests to discover the old farms and residences of Lana, their traditions and culinary delicacies by foot.

Wine lovers are in for a treat in the oldest wine-growing region within the German-speaking countries. At the Merano Wine Festival and the Vernatsch Cup, fine wines from traditional wineries are presented.

Under the guidance of hotel manager Vera Dejori, guest at vigilius mountain resort have the opportunity to practice archery. Concentration, inner peace and patience are equally important.

 

 

 

While long hikes, golf courses, tandem flights, e-bike and mountain bike tours attract guests to the great outdoors in summer, winter offers snow hikes (with or without snowshoes), ski slopes and ice skating.

 

 

 

Details

 

Rooms

• Superior: 36 m² with garden access
• Deluxe: 36 m² with balcony
• Suite: 72 m² with garden access and balcony

 

Culinary

Opening hours

• Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
• Stube Ida: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Restaurant 1500: 7:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.

 

Aquiléia Spa

Opening hours

• Swimming pool: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Sauna (adults only): 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., on request also earlier or until 10 p.m.

Treatments

• Massages
• Facials
• Body treatments
• SilberQuarzit Experience®

 

Meeting space

The meeting and seminar rooms can accommodate up to 80 people, with direct access to terraces and gardens.

 

Library

Guests can browse through books in the bright library, which is almost six meters high.

 

Pets

Dogs are welcome, although they must remain outside the breakfast room, restaurant 1500, and mountain spa. Out of consideration for other guests, only 5 dogs are permitted in the hotel during the same period. A fee of €45 per day (excluding food) will be charged. Please note that dogs must wear a muzzle in the cable car; for a deposit, the cable car company will also provide one.