Sensoria Dolomites, a luxurious mountain escape that opened last year is so much more than simply a hotel for owner Lea Oberhofer. Situated on the foothills of the Alpe di Siusi (the largest high plateau in Europe) her family’s heritage is imbedded in the towering granite mountains that surround the property. Lea’s connection to the hotel however began many years before she was born.
Back in 1972 stood on Sensoria’s plot of land a traditional Alpine retreat where a teenage kitchen boy fell in love with a young receptionist. Forging a united love for the hotel, in 1981 the young couple decided to take over the business, eventually buying it for themselves in 1994. Lea was one of their four children who raised in the hotel, meaning Italian hospitality truly runs in her blood. With an inherent understanding and passion for the soul of the destination she calls home, ten years ago Lea and her husband Simon bought the hotel from her parents, and today, their children live in the newly constructed hotel, as she once did. It is this heritage that makes Sensoria a unique place that is built upon family values of creating a Dolomite dream.
Hotel
First taking charge of the property in her mid-twenties, Lea had a vision to take everything she had learnt from her parents, but to elevate it – reimagining a new kind of place that exemplifies the powerful spirit of the Dolomites. With a belief that luxury is only real and meaningful when it ignites our souls, after years of reimagining and reconstructing a new property, finally Sensoria opened its doors in June 2022. Part of a new wave of hotels redefining the all-inclusive concept, Sensoria is a peaceful, dog-friendly hotel that offers elegant South Tyrolean hospitality, with experiences to connect guests with the beauty of the destination year-round.
An alpine oasis, Sensoria’s relationship to its destination is woven fundamentally throughout. Situated in the heart of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage site, one of Europe’s most strikingly beautiful landscapes, throughout the summer the mountains are a wash of green under vast blue skies, echoed to the sound of the cow bells ringing in the valleys. As winter comes, the hotel transforms into a winter wonderland, frosted in snow.
Rooms and suites
A clever blend of beautiful antique pieces can be seen among Sensoria’s Swedish design concept. This is accented by Japanese touches from Eva’s admiration of Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. Examples of this are seen with the beautiful bonsai style tree placed in the centre of the Asian garden, to the architectural angles that draw the outdoors in.
Welcoming in the verdant forest that surrounds the hotel are the 45 rooms. Each created with guests’ wellness in mind, rooms have been finished in the property’s signature pale wood with Eva and Simon’s attention to detail seen throughout. Each evening I sank into plush embroidered bedsheets, enjoyed fragrant Aesop products in my spacious rain shower and soaked in a deep bath that came with a pouch of soothing salts.
Meanwhile, at 125 square meters is Sensoria’s most luxurious room, ‘The Suite’ which can cater to up to three people. With striking views of the mountain that casts high above the hotel, this exclusive suite includes a living space, terrace, and private spa. Here you’ll find your very own experience shower, sauna, free-standing bathtub, and outdoor whirlpool with loungers.
Food and drink
The hotel’s culinary character can be sampled in the heart of the hotel. Breakfast blends nostalgic favourites with new additions which they have coined ‘The Indulgence Market’. A lineup of regional products selected with love, the impressive attention to detail continues from the freshly baked bread, a wide selection of milk (from rice, to oat, dairy and more), cold meats, and cheeses, to the endless jars of nuts, seeds granolas and fruits which was our ultimate pre-hike fuel.
Offering the ‘freedom to do exactly what feels right in the moment’ Sensoria champions a luxurious all-inclusive concept. Each afternoon guests can also help themselves with ‘unhurried enjoyment’ to the abundant snack station which features a line-up of tasty salads, meat cuts, pastries, sandwiches, and desserts, which I am keen to flag includes an exquisite Tiramisu. Guests can browse whilst helping themselves to a selection of coffees and local red or white wines, the ultimate ‘inclusive’ experience… with no wristbands in sight.
As evening comes around, Sensoria’s culinary concept evolves into a fine dining sit-down experience in the main restaurant. From encouraging guests to have the freedom to browse what they fancy during the day, at dinner, Sensoria take culinary leadership with daily changing set menus that champion local produce and South Tyrolean specialities. Followed from an Italian-style aperitif in the lounge (I recommend the passionfruit spritz); sat back at our designated table, the restaurant, stylishly set with white tablecloths, embodies Lea and Simon’s love for the local cuisine.
Built upon the flavours of the Dolomites, each evening a red and white label are selected to best complement the chef’s menu from a collection of over 70 locally sourced fine wines. Examples of dishes we were served included a truffle velouté, tender venison sirloin and game ragout pappardelle, or my personal highlight: a gorgeous green nettle ‘carnaroli’ (Italian grain) risotto with goats’ cheese and red lard butter.
Carefully blended with Mediterranean touches from across Italy, Austria, and France, these six-course set menus can also be enjoyed next door in an intimate dining space called the Gourmet Studio, which brings back to like the traditional hotel from days gone by. After dinner, we would chat leisurely at the bar with other guests, helping ourselves to an eclectic mix of local gins and grappa displayed within a vintage open suitcase.
Spa and wellness
The spa facilities and wellness offerings are at the foundation of this spiritually-minded hotel. The aesthetic indoor and outdoor swimming pool reveals majestic views of the mountain from the warm, steaming pool that evaporates into the crisp air. Rooted in architecture that has been inspired by Japanese bathing rituals, a large framework of beds showcase the dense forest beyond, which in Autumn transforms into hues of gold. Here also includes an abundance of relaxation rooms, from the ‘Aroma’ to the ‘Forest View’, giving guests plenty of space to hide away and revel in relaxation. This was best discovered after the signature spa treatment combining a full body massage and facial with soothing aloe vera.
A new experience was the twice-daily sauna infusion. Celebrating the European’s love for saunas, these infusions which take place daily (otherwise known as Aufguss) bring guests together in the hotel’s larger-than-life sauna room which can seat up to 20 people and overlooks the garden with three glass walls. An aromatherapy wellness concept with essential oils, the hotel’s ‘sauna master’ performs entertaining dance moves with his towel, moving the fragranced hot air onto our bodies for a unique sweat-inducing experience which became oddly addictive. Fitness facilities are not to be overlooked and include a plush gym and a low-impact oasis for guided yoga and Pilates classes for all levels.
Surrounding area
The surrounding UNESCO World Heritage site of the Dolomites is the main attraction for guests, many with their dogs in tow. The ultimate outdoor playground, Patrick (our multi-talented sauna master and hiking guide) led us up into the mountains, stopping at a remote hut at the summit for goulash, dumplings, and bottles of locally brewed lager. Some of the Sensoria team’s insider secrets include reaching the highest point of Sciliar/ Schlern, 2,563 metres above sea level, to panoramic vistas from the Karlotten Kofel viewpoint.
Other summertime activities include biking, golf, rock climbing and forest bathing. On our last morning, we visited a nearby ranch for an incredible sensory horse experience – another way the hotel helps guests tap into all the details the Dolomites has on offer. Grooming, communicating, and riding the horses, this is a must for horse aficionados and anyone new to equestrian life. As the winter season starts, discover the snow-covered Dolomite Mountains on skis with cross-country trails and tours. The winter alternative to hiking, the team also love taking guests out to conquer the icy peaks in show shoes.
In a nutshell
Sensoria is a luxurious reincarnation built upon a local family’s passion for South Tyrolean hospitality. A stylish Alpine retreat, the hotel subtly celebrates Japanese design with soulful wellness and activities among the dramatic Dolomites.
Factbox
Address: Via Sciliar, 37, 39040 Siusi BZ, Italy
Phone: +39 0471 706522
Website: sensoriadolomites.com
All imagery credit: Sensoria Dolomites
