Located in the South Tyrol of Italy, the Hanswirt Hotel in Rabland or Rablà as known in Italian, is a delightful little hideaway, offering a perfect blend of age-old charm and contemporary comforts. This four-star superior hotel, a manor house dating back to 1357, stands as a testament to the rich tapestry of history that adorns this region. With its thick, white-washed walls, barrel and cross vaults, historic wooden floors and ancient frescoes, Hanswirt is a fascinating journey through time, lovingly curated by the Laimer family, who have owned the ancestral farm since the 16th century.
As one approaches, you get vibes of cultural mixing pot style from Italian red clay roof tiles to the classic Austrian red and white chevron shutters, this is architecture pulling the best from two different cultures. Upon arrival, guests are greeted with a warm welcome that feels more like a welcoming to a family home rather than a hotel check-in. Lena ensures a smooth and friendly process, while Jessica lends a helpful hand with the luggage, setting the tone for a stay that promises to be both relaxing and memorable.
Suite at the Hanswirt
The Churburg junior suite is a masterpiece of understated elegance. With its muted greys, Scandinavian colour palette, and classic wooden furniture, the suite exudes a serene and inviting atmosphere. The open layout seamlessly integrates a lounge area, ample drawer and wardrobe space, including a walk-in wardrobe, and the south-facing balcony offers breathtaking views over the pool, apple orchards and the valley and mountains beyond.
In keeping with modern sensibilities, Hanswirt has embraced sustainability with a new photovoltaic system that provides air conditioning to select rooms and suites. This commitment to eco-friendliness ensures that your retreat remains a cool oasis, even on the hottest of days. And with each room and suite boasting its own unique character, there’s an excellent excuse to plan multiple visits, 21 to be precise.
Hanswirt Pool & Garden
The Mediterranean-inspired pool area feels more like a private villa than a hotel. Set amongst beautiful gardens, there are plenty of day beds and sun loungers around the pool and dotted around the garden. It never feels busy or crowded at all, enhancing that private villa vibe. Dotted with the odd bergamot plant that kept the bees busy and the robot mower that silently went about its daily business of manicuring the lawn, you can not help but fall into a relaxed state. The connected heated indoor and outdoor pools are certainly inviting on a hot day, and the additional jacuzzi thermal jets hit just the spot after a hike.
A separate building with shower and toilet facilities and hotline phone to the bar adds convenience, while the newly built log cabin sauna with panoramic window, complete with a shower, offers a secluded spot for relaxation. The spa facilities are equally enticing, featuring a Finnish sauna, soft sauna, steam room, cold plunge pool, and Jacuzzi, all complemented by a well-appointed gym with expansive glass windows overlooking the pool.
Adding to the hotel’s charm are its two feline residents, Lily and Rocky, whose friendly nature might lead to an unexpected visit during your stay. Their presence adds a homely touch, making you feel like you’re part of an extended family. Lily loves to roll around and play, but watch out for those fluffy little mittens of hers. She is fast.
Hanswirt Culinary Delights
Hanswirt’s roots as a guest house are deeply embedded in its culinary ethos, where the focus is on simplicity and quality, allowing the ingredients to shine. Here, the notion of ‘farm to table’ isn’t just a trendy catchphrase; it’s a way of life. The restaurant, seamlessly connected to the hotel, offers both indoor and al fresco dining options. The outdoor area, with its Mediterranean vibe, could easily transport you to Italy or Greece, and it’s no surprise to hear that the Hanswirt earned recognition from both the Michelin and Gambero Rosso guides.
Armin, the head waiter, along with the rest of the superb local staff, ensures that your dining experience is nothing short of spectacular. Breakfast is a buffet adventure, offering a wide choice of foods with the option to order à la carte, should you feel a bit more bespoke.
The culinary delights of dinner are as varied as they are delectable. Imagine starting with crusty bread accompanied by Italian olive oil or Austrian lard with bacon, moving on to a mozzarella ensemble with basil, pesto, and crunchy tomatoes. Then there’s the Schlutzkrapfen, a rustic South Tyrolean treat that’s as hearty as it sounds. The carbonara is a delicate masterpiece, while the char tartare is refreshingly exquisite. But perhaps the pièce de résistance is the aubergine tartare; it’s so stunningly flavourful, you’d never guess it’s aubergine.
Hanswirt’s commitment to local sourcing is evident as the beef, chicken, and dairy hail from the area, while the second course might feature apricots, apples, strawberries, or local wine. One might say that tourism is the icing on this South Tyrolean cake.
Hanswirt Activities To Explore
Beyond the dining table, Hanswirt offers a host of activities that make it an ideal base for exploration. With complimentary access to public transport and museums courtesy of the South Tyrol Guest Pass, which includes entry to around 80 museums, your cultural thirst will be well quenched. The hotel’s proximity to Merano, with its Austrian architecture, and Bolzano, with its Italian flair, provides a perfect balance of sights and experiences.
Bicycles are available free of charge, while e-bikes and Vespas can be rented for a modest fee, making the dedicated cycle lane to Merano a tempting proposition. Lena at reception, ever helpful, might even check the weather and suggest walking itineraries, ensuring you make the most of your stay.
For a touch of imperial elegance, a visit to The Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle is highly recommended; it was once the favourite haunt of Sisi, the Austrian Empress Elisabeth herself. If venturing to Bolzano, make sure to drop by to show your respect to the famous Otzi Iceman; he has only been waiting for 5,300 years for your visit.
With such a rich tapestry of history, culinary and cultural experiences, the Hanswirt Hotel has a heart that has been beating since 1357 and continues to this day to care and look after its visitors. The Hanswirt is certainly somewhere that might just need to be added to your bucket list.
The Hanswirt Hotel
Geroldstraße, 3
39020 Rabland
Autonome Provinz Bozen
Südtirol, Italy
