Sensoria
Dolomites

The location

Over the seasons, Sensoria’s surroundings offer a relaxing, calming atmosphere. During winter, snow coats the hotel and landscape in a frosty, pleasant silence.

While in summer, when the meadows are lush green, the sky is blue and the mountains are snow-free, cowbells echo up from the valley in a meditative harmony.

Backstory

In the 1970s, a young kitchen boy and a receptionist fell in love at the Ritterhof: Leo and Hanny Oberhofer, the parents of today’s owner Lea Oberhofer. After initially working in Castelrotto, they returned to the Ritterhof in the 1980s when the opportunity arose to lease and later even purchase it.

All four of the couple’s children grew up amid the hustle and bustle between the reception and the dining room. Although it was natural for them to support their parents in the hotel, each of them pursued their own career path. Lea Oberhofer first attended a hotel management school before studying economics in Vienna. One of her brothers became a trained chef, another one started a career in marketing.

Lea Oberhofer met Simon Leitner at hotel management school. Together they left Austria and discovered Singapore, Edinburgh, Texas, Frankfurt, Milan, Munich and Paris, where she worked for Louis Vuitton.

Then, in 2013, her father raised the topic of succession. It wasn’t an easy decision for Lea and Simon, even though they had been fascinated by the possibility from the start. But then the choice was made: it took five years of planning and another eight months of construction before the hotel stood before them in its current form. And now their own children are growing up in the middle of the hotel as well.

Architecture & interior

For their building plans, the couple found the perfect partner in the Architecture studio Senoner & Tammerle. Without imposing their own vision, they listened and responded to their ideas.

A light garden should emerge in the centre, adjoining all public areas such as the restaurant, library and bar. In addition, a 1,000 square metre bathhouse with a large wellness area was built. Surrounded by the Japanese-inspired garden, the floor-to-ceiling windows in the reading area and restaurant let in natural light and offer sweeping views of the natural surroundings.

The appearance of the hotel is clearly influenced by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, whose work Lea particularly admires.

Inside, the 45 rooms and two suites are also characterised by untreated spruce wood, donated by the forest of Castelvecchio/Hauenstein and the mighty Schlern mountain.

The pavilion-like wooden buildings on the ground floor reflect shapes and lines found in nature. Earthy tones run throughout the hotel’s interior. Isolated colour accents such as indigo blue and various shades of black add contrast. Together, they create a cosy, comfortable and warm atmosphere.

All rooms offer views of the mountains and surrounding nature through their spacious windows.

The most luxurious room is ‘The Suite’ with its 125 m² floor space, living area, terrace and private spa, which can accommodate up to 3 guests. It also features an experience shower, sauna, freestanding bathtub and outdoor hot tub with loungers.

For Lea, Sensoria Dolomites is much more than just a hotel. Taking over the property in her mid-twenties, she wanted to create a new place of wellbeing that captured the spirit of the Dolomites. As someone with a passion for design and architecture, she managed to do just that, together with her husband Simon. In summer 2022, they finally got to open the hotel.

Art & Events

Last year, the hotel launched its first Sensoria Art Edition, giving guests the opportunity to interact directly with two Tyrolean artists, Aron Demetz and Peter Senoner. Not only could they learn more about the artists’ work at the hotel, but also in their studios.

For an even more intensive exchange, the Art Dinner took place as part of the Sensoria Art Edition. Here, art, cuisine and conversation came together, enabling a personal, informal exchange about work processes, attitudes and materials.

In another format, ‘My Olympic Mindset’, Sensoria offers an exclusive retreat for entrepreneurs and executives that consciously addresses the connection between sport, art and mental attitude in order to strengthen it.

Lea Oberhofer and Simon Leitner are also planning further cultural formats for the coming summer, which will certainly include another Art Dinner.

Cuisine

At the hotel’s breakfast buffet, lovingly called the ‘indulgence market’, guests can choose from a selection of regional products whatever their heart desires.

Freshly baked bread, a wide range of dairy products (from rice and oat milk to cow’s milk and more), cold cuts and cheese, countless jars of nuts, seeds, muesli and fruit are waiting to be tried.

In the afternoon, when cravings may arise, the extensive snack station offers guests crisp salads, cold cuts, pastries, sandwiches, and desserts, including a delicious tiramisu.

When the evening sun casts its rays on the hotel, the main restaurant turns into a fine dining experience. Here, the menus change daily and celebrate South Tyrolean specialities.

An Italian-style aperitif is served in the lounge. Every evening, a red and a white wine are selected from over 70 top local wines to best complement the chef’s creations.

The region around the Dolomites offers a rich selection of wines. In the Seiser Alm holiday region alone, five different wineries produce exquisite wines. From Pinot Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Kerner and Lagrein to Cabernet.

Describing the hotel’s cuisine is no easy task—not even for the owners. In the kitchen they sample, experiment, and rethink. For them, pasta is not just pasta; every dish gives them the opportunity to create something new, something unexpected from a familiar dish.

Each dish and every ingredient is prepared with attention to detail. To create memories and stories that unfold with every bite, when your taste buds discover flavours from the north, south and west. It is a journey through Tyrolean cuisine with Mediterranean influences from Italy and France.

The bar offers a selection of local gins and grappas, presented in an open vintage suitcase.

Wellness & relaxation

Relaxation is at the heart of Sensoria Dolomites. Guests can take in the sweeping mountain views while swimming in the indoor or outdoor pools.

The fresh air while basking in the warmth of a steaming pool is refreshing. Relaxation rooms offer space to retreat, not only after a relaxing spa treatment.

A sauna overlooking the garden and with space for up to 20 people offers two infusions daily. Sauna master Antonio swings his towel through the air as he dances around the room, carrying the scents of essential oils to guests.

In addition to a well-equipped gym, guided yoga and Pilates classes are offered for all levels, allowing guests to let off steam or relax.

Activities

The Dolomites, which rose from the warm Tethys Sea around 250 million years ago, are a fascinating sight from the hotel with their majestic and sometimes bizarrely shaped mountains. But the highest point of the Schlern, at 2,563 metres above sea level, is an insider tip from the hotel team. The Karlotten Kofel viewpoint offers a splendid panoramic view.

During summer, countless bike and hiking trails and nearby golf courses lure guests outdoors. Several summer lifts and 50 huts are scattered across the mountains. A stroll through Bolzano’s picturesque old town is also worth a visit.

In winter, as a blanket of snow covers the land and mountains, snow sports come to life. 181 kilometres of ski slopes, 80 kilometres of cross-country ski trails and 60 kilometres of hiking trails offer plenty of choice.

Steeped in history and shrouded in myth, the ruins of Castelvecchio and Salego lie hidden deep in the forest on a rocky outcrop in Santner.

A bit off the beaten path, at an altitude of over 1,000 metres, amid rugged mountains: the Laghetto di Fiè.

Details

Rooms

The hotel offers stylish single, double and multi-bed rooms as well as luxurious suites—in total 47 rooms.

Adults only 

Sensoria Dolomites welcomes indulgence seekers aged 14 and over.

Activity programme

• Guided hikes and e-bike tours: Well-being & Experience Guide Patrick will accompany guests to the best spots in the surrounding area. Difficulty and duration of the tours vary, but they are suitable for both beginners and ambitious explorers.
• Aqua gym, fitness training, personal training, pilates, Yin – Hatha – Asthanga Vinyasa yoga, pranayama & meditation, sound journeys and Qi Gong experiences.

Wellness

• Bath house with heated indoor and outdoor pool (32°C)
• Finnish sauna, organic sauna with infrared light, steam sauna
• Large Finnish event sauna with Sciliar and forest views
• Two themed infusions a day with soothing essences
• Three relaxation rooms
• Exercise room and gym

Treatments

• Signature treatments
• AMM and TCM treatments
• Aromatherapy
• Beauty treatments

Culinary

Breakfast

• Indulgence market from 7.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m.
• Urban coffee shop from 7 a.m. to 7.30 a.m.
• Pure indulgence from 10.30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Indulgence school

• Le Nez Du Vin: Guests can train their sense of smell with aroma flacons and discover all the aromas of the wine universe.
• Tasting: A selection of wine, spirits, cheese and olive oil.
• Exclusive private dining

Arrival

The hotel team is happy to pick guest up for a fee from Bolzano airport or the bus and train stations in Bolzano, Klausen, or Brixen. The time of arrival should be provided at least one day in advance.

Südtirol Alto Adige Guest Pass

Guests receive a pass for the duration of their stay, which allows them to use the shuttle buses in the Seiser Alm Dolomites region, regional trains in South Tyrol, local buses, cable cars to Ritten and Kohlern as well as to Mölten and Vöran, the Rittner Bahn and the Mendelbahn free of charge.

Pets

The hotel offers a limited number of selected rooms for loyal four-legged friends. Upon request, the team will provide a dog bed, a bowl and a basket in the room. Each night’s stay is charged at €35 per dog (excluding food). Please note that dogs are not permitted in the restaurant, lounges or wellness area.