Bäcksteinerhof is a little gem nestled in the heart of South Tyrol, in the hills, just a few minutes' drive from Merano. This former fruit farm, surrounded by majestic mountains and apple orchards stretching as far as the eye can see, is a retreat of choice.
Reservation
We recommend booking your stay at Bäcksteinerhof via Booking.com, which often offers free cancellation. Send us a message on Instagram if you're going—we'd love to hear from you.
Discover our stay
This was the first hotel we stayed at during our trip to the Dolomites, and suffice to say, we loved everything about it. Our favorite things were definitely the breakfast (see below), the peaceful location in the mountains, and the value for money. Judging by the online reviews, it seems that everyone agrees.
What we liked a little less: our room faced the front, so it was sometimes a little noisy in the morning, but honestly, that's a minor detail.
The arrival
What strikes you as soon as you arrive is the spirit of the place: a former "Erbhof" (hereditary farm) dating back to 1277, beautifully renovated to combine modern comfort with historic charm. We love the façade. You can easily park your car in the courtyard. It’s secure, and part of it is covered. There’s also a bike shed.
Once inside, magic happens in every corner. Don't miss the cabinet in the reception office. There are lots of beautiful objects everywhere (silver coins, paintings, etc.), but it never looks cluttered.
Rooms with a view
Here are the two types of rooms and the loft:
1 • Double Room • Photo • Photo
2 • Superior Room • Photo • Photo
3 • Stadel Loft • Photo • Photo
Depending on the room you choose, you will have the following amenities: large double bed, bathroom with freestanding bathtub or shower, balcony with a view, and sitting area with Smart TV. The larger loft has two bedrooms, a dining room, a living room, and a beautiful kitchen.
Tip: We were able to see the rooms and fell in love with room no. 6 with its balcony and magnificent view.
The best breakfast in the area
This one is a real treat. It's like waking up on Christmas morning. There is a little piece of paper in your room that you can fill out every day before 5 p.m. You choose one part (the most important) and the rest is laid out the next day in a mini buffet.
On the menu: homemade muesli, homemade apple muesli, scrambled eggs, plain yogurt from Meraner-Milchhof dairy, South Tyrolean sausages, butter from Merano dairy, homemade chocolate-hazelnut spread (omg!), and an assortment of cheeses you won't soon forget. Be sure to try the herbal tea from their herb garden and the apple juice.
This is the part brought to your table. And in the shared buffet: fresh bread, homemade cakes made with love, flax, pumpkin, and sunflower seeds, fresh fruit, dried fruit, water, and homemade fruit juices.
By the way, the dining room is really beautiful: soft background music, vintage atmosphere, and a view of the mountains.
Location on the hillside
Merano is a fascinating city where snow-capped Alpine peaks meet lush Mediterranean vegetation consisting of palm trees and cypresses. It's very surprising. It's like Austria meets Italy. We recommend taking a stroll along the waterfront, especially during the Christmas Market.
We went to the thermal baths to relax for a few hours. We were a little worried that it would be crowded because it's located right in the city center. But that wasn't the case at all. It's great, and the outdoor pool (which connects to the indoor pool) is magical. Don't forget your flip-flops, towels, and swimsuits, because you have to pay for everything else. Be aware that some areas are exclusively for nudists.
Want to go for a walk? The Tappeinerweg is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful high-altitude walks in Europe. Between 4 and 6 kilometers long depending on the route, it winds its way around 100 meters above the town, along the mountainside of Mount Küchelberg. The vegetation is exotic and the view is picture-postcard perfect. We took the short version and zigzagged halfway down to Merano.
There is a town that we really liked, just a 45-minute drive away: Sarentino. Here is a video we made with our drone. What a view!
Prices start at around €190 per night, including breakfast (which is highly recommended).
Check-in is from 2pm and check-out can be done until 10am.
Yes, pets are allowed upon request, at an additional cost of €15 per night.
Yes, there is free private parking right in front of the house with a covered area.
Yes, some rooms have a beautiful freestanding bathtub with a view.
Yes, it's a perfect place, quiet and very romantic. We especially love the superior room with a balcony and its superb freestanding bathtub with a view.
Just a 5-minute drive away, discover the magnificent Trauttmansdorff Castle and its gardens. A little further away, a 10-minute drive, the small village of Tirolo offers numerous views of the surrounding vineyards and also has a medieval castle open to visitors.
This was the first hotel we visited during our stay, and we spent two nights there. We loved everything about it, especially the breakfast, which was the best we had during our entire stay in the Dolomites.
