Haus am Turm
Curated by Katy
Intro
In my early twenties, I lived in the Austrian Alps for a semester. As an art history major focusing on the Italian Renaissance, you'd find me on the train south, headed into Italy every chance I got.
What I forever remember about those journeys was the view when we crossed the Italian border. The landscape dropped my jaw every time. Here, nestled between the dramatic peaks of the Dolomites in a quaint village with two names, lives Haus am Turm.
At a glance
Location: South Tyrol, Italy
Price: from €136
Rooms: 12
Suitable for: Families (young children included), pets, and people with disabilities
Nearest Airport(s): Bolzano (BZO) 45 min, Innsbruck (INN) 1hr, Verona (VRN) 1.5hrs, Munich (MUC) 2.5hrs
Arrive by: Car, Taxi, Bus
Open: Year Round (closes for a couple of weeks in spring)
Check in: 3pm Check out: 11am
The Hotel
Completely renovated and redesigned in 2021, it's hard to believe the modern design touches that await you behind Haus Am Turm's blue facade. Located in the quaint village of Sterzing (also known as Vipiteno), the 15th-century townhouse has been in the same family for over 100 years. Haus am Turm contains twelve tasteful rooms with understated comfort, a bistro using products straight from the garden across the way, and a deep wine cellar that just might blow your mind. Veronika and Daniel are your hosts, and they take service to another level.
If Good Trips were a hotel in the Dolomites, this would be it.
Rooms
Simplicity. Fresh and light, Haus Am Turm's 12 guest rooms provide visitors with serenity and comfort through clean lines and high-quality amenities. There are four room types, and most boast small outdoor spaces like balconies or loggia, where guests can soak up the mountain views and take in glimpses of the streets below.
Details. When reimagining the hotel in 2021, the owners thoughtfully considered each decision's impact on the environment, the community, and guests. Some of our favorite features include the wooden furniture providing visual harmony throughout the hotel and coming from the "green" Milanese designer, Plinio il Giovane. Bed linens and towels are organic Italian jacquard cotton. Bathrooms are lined in local Quarzit stone. Toiletries are all-natural and made in collaboration with local organic farmers.
Food and drink
Located on the ground floor of the guesthouse––Vinzenz–– Haus Am Turm's on-site restaurant and bar is a favorite of guests and locals alike. In warmer months, people-watch from a table on the terrace in the bustling village center, and in colder months, gather around the big farm table next to the woodfire.
Committed to the slow food movement, the restaurant collaborates with local farmers to source most of the ingredients for their dishes. In the summer, produce will be supplied even closer––from the garden located just across the street––a rare 0KM experience in an urban setting. In addition, the rotating seasonal menu uses nature as its muse, focusing on sustainable production and humane breeding and processing methods.
At the bar, fresh juices and cocktails accompany an extensive wine selection. The cellar contains over 700 wines (we mentioned it was deep, yes?), with 70% from organic vineyards. Around 40 wine varieties are offered by the glass, so you'll have the chance to try a few while you're here. If you'd like a proper tasting, just ask.
The Area
Cradled in the picturesque peaks and valleys of the Dolomites, Sterzing-Vipiteno is the northernmost town in Italy. With roots going back millennia, this town has been at the convergence of European cultures since its founding. Even the region's road signs are posted in three languages. The Austrian facades, Gothic towers, and Italian piazzas of Sterzing's city center reflect the multinational roots of the area. It is the perfect place to wander the historic stone streets, explore boutiques, and enjoy an espresso on a terrace.
Just steps from the center of town, there is a wide range of activities at one of the world's best and most picturesque playgrounds for outdoor enthusiasts. Sterzing–Vipiteno is a paradise for snow lovers with multiple ski slopes and a toboggan run over 9km long that sleds you right into town (bring your kids for this one!).
In warmer months, trails for hiking or biking through the green meadows offer impressive views. A 1.5-hour hike will bring you to one of Veronika's favorite farm-to-table restaurants, Sprechenstein, where you'll find more vistas to drool over and superb eats.
All seasons are beautiful here and offer plenty to keep you occupied, whether you're just passing through or staying for a while.
Good things to know
Haus am Turm, and the region in general, are kid-friendly.
If apartments suit you better, check out Ida's Apartments, also run by the family, that offer the same high level of hospitality and quality.
Good Trips perks
Welcome drink – one per guest/stay
Promo code: Goodtripsclients for Vipiteno
Sustainability in practice
For generations, Veronika and Daniel, with their children, have welcomed guests looking for an idyllic mountain holiday with all the comforts of a small family-run hotel. In the area for centuries, the family has been a part of the local ecosystem, and everything they do reflects their love for the region and its history.
There is a story behind everything in Haus am Turm that reflects conscious choices and excellent quality, providing guests with a backdrop for the perfect mountain holiday.
Organic / eco food / wine
Organic / non toxin bedding and linens
Locally made, organic toiletries
OKM Food
100% smoke free
Conscious waste management
Low water consumption / water conservation
Reduced energy use
Low-to-no plastic use
Locally designed/made furniture with natural materials
Conserve built and living cultural heritage and values and foster connections between locals and visitors
Supports local community and economy
Historic preservation of the original structures
Low-impact landscape design