My husband and I stayed here for one night in November 2009 (not 2010 as indicated) during our two week driving trip of Italy. Having read the other reviews
about the steep road we decided to just enjoy the experience and took the cable-car up to this 'Chalet in the Sky'. The cable car was thrilling - the oldest cablecar in the world - and the views were spectacular as we 'skimmed' the sheer cliff side above Bolzano. The views of the Dolomites were breathtaking in the afternoon sun - a warm pink glow on grey craggy peaks, with touches of snow in the distance - and the green meadows and rows of grapevines clothing the smaller hills with the pretty town of Bolzano in the distance just added to the beauty.
Our room was a Deluxe Panorama - situated with its own balcony on the top floor in the centre of the hotel - with views across rows and rows of beautiful craggy peaks of the Dolomites and green rolling meadows to the right. It was easy to imagine being on sentinal duty as we gazed down to Bolzano lying in the valley far below us. A beautiful
marble bathroom with a huge tub and soft, fluffy bath sheets just added to our enjoyment.
Before dinner we mingled with other guests in the cozy reading room, while enjoying a delicious hot chocolate and the views spread out before us.
It was quite cold so we didn't get to enjoy the swimming pool or jacuzzi but we were able to take short walks around the hotel. As our home is in Queensland, the tropical north of Australia, we felt we were in wonderland with the amazing mountains and chalets all around us and it took me back to descriptions in the book "Heidi" which was one of my favourites when I was growing up!
Dinner was delicious, in the cozy restaurant with the lights twinkling on the hills and in the valley surrounding us, and we kept pinching ourselves that we were in a Tyrolean Hotel on the top of the world in Italy!
After a very relaxing sleep in the very comfortable and warm bed, a delicious breakfast and another walk around the surrounding area, we reluctantly left this 'fairytale' and headed for the reality of the valley below.
A cosy and very comfortable chalet with incredible views of spectacular mountains - a once in a lifetime experience for a fair dinkum Aussie!

If you are looking for a "high end" or "glitzy' hotel, this is not a good choice. However, if you are looking for comfort, cleanliness, spectacular views and mountain air, well-prepared meals, excellent wines and grappas, and peace and quiet, there is no better place on earth to stay for a few days! The staff was very helpful and pleasant in every way. We were given a complimentary upgrade to a much better room. The absence of televisions and phones in the rooms is wonderful! The new pool/hot tub and spa area are lovely, although we only used them once. The real charm of this hotel is that it is a small, family-run establishment with personalized service: a rare thing nowadays.

This hotel was to be our 'ah ha' place for our recent trip but I was disappointed. The venue is quiet and peaceful, the rooms were nicely appointed and sized, the view was wonderful. However, I agree with one of the reviewers that I found the afternoon/evening reception (I think manager) to be less than friendly. They had one english menu which my husband and I shared and the morning 'tips for the day' page was in german and even tho' we stayed 4 days, no attempt was made to accommodate our language isolation. We've traveled extensively and never have I felt less welcome. We found their food to be just OK - a little too salty to our taste.

What a nice surprise!
I was a little nervous driving up the twisty- winding road about the location and facilities, though as it turns out there was no need! The room was lovely! Big, with a fantastic view of the dolomites! The hotel restaurant was fantastic! And very accommodating--though there was no vegetarian food listed on the dinner menu, I asked and was served up some of the best food on the trip! Everything was fresh and delicious!