My Arbor is a splendid Hotel 5* in the heart of the forest in Bressanone, South Tyrol, Italy. Bolzano is an hour away by car. The hotel's architecture is unique in the world: a huge vessel hovering among the surrounding trees and mountains.

We recommend booking your stay at My Arbor via Booking.com, which often offers free cancellation. Send us a message on Instagram if you decide to go—we'd love to hear from you.

Our stay in the middle of the forest

We were lucky enough to stay here for two nights and... Wow! If you want a peaceful retreat surrounded by nature, this is the perfect place.

Here are our favorites:

- The quiet location with no roads nearby
- The hotel's architecture, unique in the world
- The very affordable half-board option
- We won a hot water bottle in a raffle held that weekend
- The extraordinary view from the room
- The very friendly staff (especially Mehmet)
- Without a doubt the best food of our trip
- The musician who sometimes plays live in the evenings

What we liked least: The hotel bar is rather impersonal (located near the front desk) and could be so much better designed.

Suites with spectacular views 

Here are the three types of suites:

1 • Nest Suite • Photo • Photo
2 • Hangout Suite • Photo • Photo
3 • Treetop Suite • Photo • Photo

Depending on the suite you choose, you will have access to the following amenities: king-size bed, balcony with views of the mountains and the Eisack Valley, panoramic bay window, outdoor jacuzzi, sauna, bathroom with rain shower and/or freestanding bathtub and/or sensory shower, hairdryer, Nespresso machine and kettle, Smart TV, dressing room, minibar, safe, and Wi-Fi.

The window bed in each room is a real gem. Here's another video. You can sit there to read, chat, or watch a TV series. At night, you can gaze at the stars from your bed.

Eating well throughout the day

The restaurant is open from breakfast until dinner. The welcome is very warm, and you can tell that the staff are very dedicated. The cuisine is typical of South Tyrol. Here is an example. This is where we had the best meals during our stay in the Dolomites.

The menu is a clever blend of Alpine rigor (canederli, game, mountain herbs) and Mediterranean lightness (fresh pasta, exceptional olive oils). The best of both worlds? Special mention goes to the cheeses at the end of the meal!

The restaurant is surrounded by monumental bay windows. You literally dine at the treetops, with a bird's-eye view of the Isarco Valley. It is particularly spectacular at sunset.

In the morning, the breakfast buffet (and à la carte menu) is open until noon. Eggs are prepared to order with mountain herbs, local cheese, or ham. Many regional specialties are available, including homemade smoked bacon (Speck), artisanal South Tyrolean sausages, and Tyrolean apple muesli with oatmeal.

The best spa of our trip 

The Arboris spa is a natural extension of the surrounding forest. With 2,500 square meters dedicated to wellness, it is one of the establishment's absolute highlights.

It includes the following facilities: a steam room, three saunas, each with a wood-themed design, a large indoor pool, a cold outdoor pool, a warm outdoor pool, and numerous relaxation rooms with very comfortable beds. As is often the case in South Tyrol, some parts of the spa are nudist.

In keeping with the tree theme, you will find numerous outdoor resting places. These are hanging beds or cozy alcoves with views of the forest, perfect for reading or taking a nap after a treatment.

The heated outdoor pool is actually more like a hot tub. The water is 38°C and the view is unreal! Here is a video taken on site.

Advice

Here are a few tips to make your stay even more enjoyable:

1. Tables at the restaurant are assigned once and for all, which means you may end up in a corner with no view and/or a lot of foot traffic, with little opportunity to change. Book early and specify during the reservation that you are celebrating a special occasion and would like a nice, quiet table.
2. When you make your reservation, also specify that you would like a room as high up as possible and as far away from the elevator as possible. These are clearly the best rooms.
3. On the day of check-out, keep in mind that you can leave your luggage at the front desk and enjoy the spa until 8 p.m.

Location

Located at an altitude of 1,000 meters, My Arbor enjoys a privileged location on the sunny Plose plateau, just above the medieval town of Bressanone (Brixen) in South Tyrol. No roads nearby! The hotel is literally nestled in a forest of larch and spruce trees, ensuring absolute tranquility and fresh air.

Bressanone is only a 10-minute drive away. It is the oldest town in Tyrol with a fully preserved medieval center. Don't miss the Baroque cathedral and its cloister with Gothic frescoes.

Finally, please note that the hotel is directly connected to the slopes. In winter, you have direct access to 40 km of downhill runs, including the famous Trametsch, South Tyrol's longest slope at 9 km.