08/03/2016 – Opened in December on the high plateau of Avelengo, near Merano, San Luis – Private Retreat Hotel & Lodge offers tree houses, a fairy-tale pond, and a gourmet restaurant: a luxury mountain resort in harmony with nature.
It is the new ambitious project of the Meister family. After almost a hundred years managing Hotel Irma in Merano, the family wanted an alpine resort with ski-lodge charm, set among larches and majestic trees for a dream holiday immersed in the nature of South Tyrol.
San Luis is built around a spectacular natural lake. At the center of the complex is the clubhouse, with spaces for relaxation and socializing, a lobby bar, restaurants, a cinema, and a large wine and cheese cellar.
Guests have 26 houses of one or two floors, with a total of 35 rooms, arranged near the central area and along the edges of the pond. Some have large terraces overlooking the lake; others enjoy breathtaking mountain views. All include fireplaces and private saunas.
There is more: hidden in the 40-hectare Alpine park are 16 fairy-tale houses that seem to hang among the trees, though they actually rest on wooden piles about 5 to 10 meters above the ground. The contact with nature is unique, and privacy is complete. Very old wood and natural materials such as linen and loden create a more intimate, alpine-chic atmosphere.
Surrounded by nature and built according to the principles of bio-architecture, San Luis uses precious moon wood, timber cut according to lunar cycles for strength and positive energy. Large windows create light and a sense of space. Handcrafted details, slate, clay walls, and natural linen were chosen with great care, helping create the immediate sense of well-being these places convey. No iron nails or screws were used in the structure. The roof shingles are made of larch wood, following South Tyrolean tradition. Heating is provided by a system that uses wood shavings and chips from the surrounding forest.
Peter Dark
miranda_shida
Anna Lohan
