Forestis is the Dolomites hotel for couples who want peace above everything else. It stands in thick forest on the Plose mountain above Brixen in South Tyrol, with floor-to-ceiling windows looking across the valley toward the jagged peaks of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are no lobby crowds, no loud bars and little color beyond wood, stone, glass and the green of the trees.
The hotel is run by its hosts Teresa and Stefan, who built it around the four natural elements and a pared-back architecture that lets the forest do the decorating. Suites run from about 35 to 200 square meters, the largest with its own rooftop pool. The spa draws on natural phenomena and old Celtic healing knowledge and the kitchen calls its approach forest cuisine, built on local fields, foraging and natural processing. Forestis belongs to Small Luxury Hotels of the World and welcomes guests aged 14 and over, so the atmosphere is quiet.
It suits couples who want hiking or skiing by day and stillness by night. If you want après-ski parties, a village to stroll after dinner or a classic Tyrolean look with carved wood and checked fabrics, Val Gardena or Cortina will suit you better.
Highlights at a glance
- Suites in the forest above Brixen
- Views to the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Spa inspired by Celtic healing traditions
- Forest cuisine from local fields and foraging
- Guests aged 14 and over only
Why Couples Love Forestis
The silence is the luxury. Forestis sits high on the slope above Brixen, away from the valley roads and the forest wraps around the buildings. In the morning you wake to light coming through the trees and the Dolomites lined up across the valley. In the evening the only sound is wind in the pines.
The design is minimalist and calm. Rooms and public spaces use local wood and stone, with huge windows and very little clutter and the effect is restful rather than cold. Couples who find most luxury hotels too busy tend to relax here within a day.
The age policy keeps the mood adult and quiet, while the scale means you are never fighting for a lounger or a sauna bench. It feels like a retreat for two, with the mountains on your doorstep whenever you want them.
Suites to Book
All accommodation is in suites, from about 35 square meters for the entry level to around 50 and 55 square meters for the mid-range categories, each with one bedroom and big windows facing the forest or the valley. The interiors use pale wood, natural fabrics and stone and each suite is designed to catch sunlight through the day.
For a honeymoon, the mid-sized suites at 50 to 55 square meters give you room for a sitting area and a better chance of a wide view toward the Dolomites. Ask for a high floor facing the peaks when you book.
The top suite, at about 200 square meters, has its own rooftop pool and is one of the most private places to stay in the Alps. The separate early 20th-century villa, with a garden and private spa, sleeps up to ten and suits families or groups rather than couples.
Food, Drink and the Spa
The kitchen follows what the hotel calls forest cuisine. Ingredients come from local fields and farms, herbs and plants are gathered from the woods and much is processed naturally on site. Expect clean flavors, pine and mountain herbs, local game and dairy rather than heavy dumplings. Dinner is served in a calm dining room facing the valley.
The spa is the heart of the stay. It takes inspiration from natural phenomena and Celtic healing traditions, with treatments based on local plants, saunas and pools looking out over the forest. Book treatments when you reserve the room, since slots go fast in ski season and midsummer.
There is also yoga and the hotel offers spa and wellness packages. Rates are typically quoted with breakfast and dinner, but check exactly what your package covers before you arrive.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do
In summer, the hiking starts close to the hotel. Trails on the Plose lead to mountain huts with terraces and views over the Dolomites. A longer drive takes you to the Puez-Odle Nature Park and the Geisler peaks, one of the most photographed ridges in the range and to the meadows of the Villnöss valley below.
In winter, the Plose ski area is right on the mountain, with long runs down toward Brixen and fewer crowds than the big Dolomiti Superski hubs. Couples who prefer snowshoes or winter walks have marked trails through the forest.
Brixen itself is a charming small town with a cathedral, arcaded streets and wine bars pouring South Tyrolean whites. Bolzano, about 40 minutes away, has the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology and its famous Iceman.
Getting There
The closest major airport with good international links is Innsbruck (INN) in Austria, about 1 hour 15 minutes by car over the Brenner Pass. Verona (VRN) and Venice (VCE) are about 2.5 to 3 hours away and offer more flights from the United States via European hubs. Munich (MUC) is around 3 hours.
Brixen has a main-line train station on the route between Verona and Innsbruck, so you can arrive by rail and take a taxi or hotel transfer up the mountain. The drive from Brixen climbs a winding road through the forest.
A rental car helps if you want to explore other valleys, but you can enjoy several days without one. In winter, check road conditions and request winter tires on any rental.
Is It Worth It?
For couples who want calm and design over tradition, yes. Forestis offers a different Dolomites experience from the classic wellness hotels in Val Gardena or Alta Badia: fewer distractions, more nature, a thoughtful kitchen and a spa with a real point of view. Rates are high, but when dinner is included they compare well with top Alpine hotels.
It is a weaker choice if you want a village scene. You cannot walk to restaurants or shops and evenings are meant to be quiet. Couples who want to ski the Sella Ronda every day should base themselves in Alta Badia or Val Gardena.
The hotel closes for short periods between seasons, typically in spring and late autumn, so confirm dates before you book.
Insider tips
- Ask for a high-floor suite facing the Dolomites
- Book spa treatments together with the room in high season
- Arrive by train at Brixen and skip the rental car for the first days
- Confirm what your package includes for dinner and spa access
