A carefully curated selection of hotels demonstrates how wellness can transcend the traditional spa experience to become a deeper expression of architecture, landscape, and purpose.
From restored ancient convents to sleek alpine retreats, these places do more than soothe – they inspire, envelop, and transform. Each destination uses architecture as a tool for healing and an art form rooted in care.
MIRAMONTI BOUTIQUE HOTEL
– Merano, Italy
Perched on a sun-drenched plateau in Hafling, in the heart of the Dolomites, Miramonti Hotel & Spa sits on the mountainside, surrounded by forest canopies and overlooking Merano and the captivating South Tyrol region. Exuding subtlety and simplicity, making it the perfect retreat to unwind while gazing at Merano—yet it is equally ideal for activity lovers, foodies, and connoisseurs of the good life.
The Vitalis Spa rests on the mountainside with the forest as its backdrop, designed by Merano-based architects Heike Pohl and Andreas Zanier. The standout feature is the saltwater mountain infinity pool —swimming here feels like floating atop the Alps.
HOTEL ARLBERG
– Lech, Austria
In the heart of Vorarlberg, Hotel Arlberg merges alpine authenticity, elegant design, and comprehensive wellness. The spa is a celebration of natural materials and emotional architecture.
The space is clad in volcanic clays, semi-precious stones, Carrara marble, and lime plaster, softly lit by copper lamps. Glass-enclosed courtyards frame mountain views, and fireplace lounges offer moments of peace. The experience includes steam baths, saunas, sensory showers, plunge pools, Kneipp treatments, and a heated outdoor pool integrated seamlessly into the landscape.
AMRAI SUITES
– Montafon, Austria
Inspired by regional soul, Amrai Suites honour Montafon’s heritage through a blend of tradition and modernity. Glass, wood, and copper evoke the area’s past, reimagined with contemporary elegance.
The Stólla spa spans the entire ground floor and unfolds like a parallel universe of shadow, natural textures, and multisensory wellness. Highlights include an ice grotto, floating loungers, an indooroutdoor pool beneath a copper arch, and private suites with saunas and steam baths. Treatments using alpine herbs and pine oils are complemented by a full gym and yoga studio, creating a deeply restorative space.
MAISTRA 160
– Pontresina, St. Moritz, Switzerland
Maistra 160 is a sanctuary-hotel of pure lines, emotional restraint, and reverence for its surroundings. Located at 1,800 metres in the Engadin Valley, it is built around an open cloister that invites reflection.
Its two-level spa incorporates alpine elements – stone, wood, fire, and water – and features a hydrotherapy pool with jets, bio and Finnish saunas, a blue basalt steam bath, a Swiss pine relaxation room, and a sun terrace. The treatment area offers body rituals, shiatsu, and massages, while a gym and yoga room enable a holistic wellness approach. The open-air cloister, central to the hotel, serves as its spiritual heart – a space to breathe, contemplate, and simply be.
The Aficionados is a leading travel resource for those seeking luxurious accommodations that combine design, authenticity, and high-end hospitality.
