Preidlhof Luxury DolceVita Resort (Naturno, South Tyrol, Italy)
You will find Preidlhof high above the sun-kissed Vinschgau Valley in the village of Naturno, South Tyrol. Preidlhof Luxury DolceVita Resort is one of our most celebrated European wellness destinations. Family-owned and managed by the Ladurner family for more than half a century, the family have been at the helm for the past two decades, under the careful watch of the visionary Klaus Ladurner. The Resort occupies a rare sweet spot between world-class spa facility and warmly intimate Italian hotel. Adults-only throughout, it draws guests who are serious about their well-being without wanting to sacrifice beauty, indulgence or genuine human connection.
Whether you arrive in search of a structured wellness programme, meaningful rest and rejuvenation, or simply an inspiring Alpine setting in which to unwind, Preidlhof delivers with confidence and sophistication.
At a Glance:
Best for: Luxury wellness, spa enthusiasts, couples, food lovers, active travellers
Standout feature: The 16-experience Sauna Tower
Length of stay: 4 – 7 nights
Would I return? Absolutely
Location & Getting There…
Naturno sits in the upper reaches of South Tyrol, roughly an hour’s drive from both Innsbruck and Bolzano airports and around 20 minutes from the charming spa town of Merano, which has a train station. The setting is nothing short of extraordinary, with ancient apple & pear orchards, which cascade down terraced hillsides. The Texel Group Nature Park rises to the north and on clear days the snow-capped summit of the Naturnser Hochwart dominates the skyline. I arrived in early April to warm and settled weather, temperatures throughout our stay ranged between 20 and 25°C (a reminder that South Tyrol enjoys some of the most reliably sunny microclimate conditions in the Alpine region). An added bonus for those who, like me, want to combine wellness with winter sport; the Val Senales glacier ski area is a mere 25-minute drive from the resort. I spent two and a half wonderful days skiing there, returning each afternoon to the pools and sauna tower, which felt like an almost perfect equilibrium of exertion and restoration.
The Accommodation…
I stayed in a Luxury Suite, and it was an immediately comfortable space! Generously proportioned, beautifully appointed with Preidlhof’s signature colours and thoughtfully equipped. One of the suite’s most charming touches was the pillow menu; a curated selection of pillows of differing firmness, fill and aroma; allowing guests to configure the bed precisely to their own preferences and comfort. It is a small detail, but one that speaks volumes about Preidlhof’s ethos of considered, personal care.
The balcony, however, was where we spent much of my resting time. Gazing out at the Naturnser Hochwart and the patchwork of blossoming orchards below. The suite came with a well-cushioned outdoor daybed and on more than one evening the warmth of the night air made it irresistible! I slept on it throughout my stay, waking to the sunrise with a refreshed outlook.
Facilities…
Preidlhof’s facilities are exceptional in both scale and quality…it would take more than four nights to explore them fully. At the heart of the resort’s water offering are three outdoor pools, one of them large enough for lap swimming. I also stumbled across a tranquil indoor pool and adjoining relaxation area. Framed by the mountains and surrounded by Mediterranean planting, the outdoor pool landscape is arguably one of the finest in South Tyrol.
Being the heartbeat of the resort, this almost a destination within a destination and unlike anything I’d encountered before. The sauna options span an interesting range! Firstly, the flagship Hot & Fun Show Panorama Sauna runs at a vigorous 90°C and hosts theatrical infusion ceremonies led by the Sauna Master’s team. Here, sessions take place three to four times daily and draw on herbal, aromatic and restorative infusions. The Olive Sauna (60°C, 40% humidity) and the Wine Sauna (70°C, 35% humidity) bring the flavours of the surrounding landscape into the heat experience, while the 5-Element Sauna and Steam Bath with Brine offer softer, more contemplative alternatives. For those who prefer a clothed session, the Schwarzbrenner Sauna (55–60°C, 50% humidity), seated within the resort’s Mediterranean wellness garden, this experience provides a more relaxed and convivial atmosphere. The Salt Lounge (35°C) was a personal favourite, and I found it to be deeply calming and restorative after a day on the slopes.
Beyond the saunas themselves, the tower’s relaxation spaces are every bit as impressive. A White Silence Lounge flooded with natural light, a Fire Lounge with an open fireplace, a Vitamin Lounge serving healthy snacks and a sun deck with sweeping views over the vineyards await your presence. Another highlight is the DEEP SEA Relaxation Room, a world-first winner of the European Health & Spa Award for Innovation, which combines three-dimensional visual projections with immersive sound design to guide guests into an unusually profound state of rest. It was, in the best possible sense, disorientating and I returned to it on multiple occasions.
Spa & Treatments…
A visit to Sandra at the spa is essential! Her expertise and attentiveness ensured that the two treatments booked were not merely pleasant additions to the day, but genuinely well-matched to my needs and condition. The treatment rooms are modern, spacious and deeply calm. An environment in which it is easy to let go!
First up was the facial treatment. Using high-quality products and techniques clearly tailored to my skin’s specific requirements, not a generic menu-item but a responsive and intelligent treatment, leaving complexions noticeably refreshed and luminous. There was no sense of being processed; the therapist’s approach was that of a skilled artist who genuinely cares about outcomes.
The back massage was equally impressive! Firm, but sensitive deep-tissue treatment that addressed the particular knots and tensions accumulated from skiing and travel. By the end of the session, the relief was near total. The heated treatment beds, the quality of the oils used, and the unhurried pace of the experience combined to make it an effective treatment.
Movement & Classes…
Preidlhof’s movement programme is extensive, with group classes running throughout the day. I took part in several and the quality was consistently high. The Morning Flow and Stretch sessions were an ideal way to begin each day, leaving me grounding and unhurried. The Aquafit classes in the outdoor pool were equally enjoyable, combining cardiovascular exercise with warm water beneath a clear Alpine sky. A particular thank you to Nadine, whose energy, expertise and warmth made the classes another highlight of the stay.
Cuisine & Dining…
Food at Preidlhof is taken seriously…very seriously! The kitchen operates with a firm farm-to-fork philosophy, drawing on an impressive portfolio of estate-grown and locally sourced produce; herbs from the resort’s own kitchen garden, honey from its beehives, homemade jams from the Preidlhof orchards, fine air-dried South Tyrolean speck and vegetables cultivated to the rhythms of the surrounding landscape. The cuisine has been awarded three toques by Gault Millau, and it is easy to understand why.
Each evening, the multi-course dinner unfolded as a carefully constructed culinary journey. Highlights included a silky amuse-bouche of wild herb velouté with alpine cheese foam; a delicate starter of marinated trout with apple and horseradish; a refined pasta course featuring hand-rolled Spätzle in a burnt butter and sage sauce with aged Parmesan; and a main of slow-braised local lamb with a porcini-jus and root vegetable purée that was as accomplished as it was deeply satisfying.
Portions may appear modest by British standards, but this is entirely by design; the rhythm of successive courses, each rich in quality if restrained in volume, leaves one completely satisfied without the heaviness that accompanies excess. Breakfast, served across both the Gourmet and Wellness restaurants, was equally delightful, with a generous and imaginative spread of cold cuts, regional cheeses, homemade breads, fresh fruit and cooked options.
Our exceptional waiter, Arcangelo, deserves particular mention. Attentive without being intrusive, warm without crossing into familiarity and armed with an effortlessly reliable knowledge of the menu and wine list. He exemplified the kind of quietly outstanding service that is Preidlhof’s signature.
Wines & the Winery…
Preidlhof is a proud member of Vinum Hotels, an association of family-run South Tyrolean establishments with a deep commitment to “Viticulture” – and the wine programme reflects this distinction fully. The cellar houses over 400 labels, many of them from the notable wine-producing slopes that surround the resort, with weekly guided tastings led by the resident sommelier available to guests who wish to explore further.
The estate’s own wine, Pinot Nero St. Ursula, produced from Pinot Noir and Schiava grapes grown in the vineyard immediately behind the resort. This grape is noted for its fruity, medium-bodied red with earthy undertones and a gentle spice on the finish, it paired beautifully with the heartier pasta and meat courses. I also worked through several glasses of a local Gewürztraminer and Austrian Grüner Veltliner that encompass floral, honeyed and high-acidic notes that paired perfectly with the Alpine spring evenings and Tyrolean cuisine. The wine list is impressively well-priced relative to the quality on offer and Arcangelo’s recommendations proved unerringly sound throughout.
Service & the Preidlhof Ethos…
What ultimately distinguishes Preidlhof from its peers is not any single facility or treatment, remarkable as several of these are. It is the quality and character of its people. Tyrolean hospitality has a long and well-earned reputation as some of the warmest and most genuinely attentive in Europe and the Preidlhof team embody this tradition with effortless grace. From the front desk to the spa reception, from the sauna team performing their daily rituals to the fitness instructors who greet every guest by name, there is a consistent sense that the people working here take genuine pride and pleasure in what they do.
Who Is Preidlhof Best For?
- Spa and wellness enthusiasts
- Couples seeking an adults-only escape
- Food and wine lovers
- Active travellers who enjoy fitness, hiking, cycling or skiing
- Solo travellers looking for structured wellbeing programmes
It may be less suitable for:
- Families with children
- Guests seeking a traditional medical wellness clinic
Book Today…
A stay at Preidlhof is not merely a hotel experience…it is a restorative encounter with a particular and very special part of the world, delivered by people who genuinely care about your well-being. The combination of world-class spa infrastructure, an exceptional Sauna Tower, superbly managed wellness programmes, Gault Millau-recognised cuisine and an estate wine programme, which would not disgrace a dedicated wine destination, makes it difficult to identify a meaningful gap in the offering!
Its location, high above the Vinschgau Valley, with snow-capped peaks on the horizon and ancient orchards on every slope; provides the kind of natural beauty that no interior designer can replicate.
Preidlhof successfully combines luxury hospitality, serious wellness expertise, exceptional cuisine and authentic South Tyrolean warmth. Whether you’re seeking a transformative wellness retreat or simply one of the finest spa resorts in Europe, it is a destination that more than lives up to its reputation.
Speak to our Wellness Travel Specialists by contacting us here who can advise on the best room types, wellness programmes and travel dates to help you make the most of your stay at this award-winning South Tyrolean retreat at Preidlhof.
