South Tyrol and the Dolomites own a very special place in my heart and so does Naturhotel Leitlhof, a hotel that combines sustainability, luxury and elegance like no other. If you’re interested in eco-conscious travel, sustainable hotels in South Tyrol or simply think that a weekend in the snow is the perfect idea for the coming winter, then you’ve come to the right place.
Naturhotel Leitlhof – Review
As soon as you plan your first trip to South Tyrol, there will be one thing you’ll recognize immediately: There are more hotels than you can possibly visit in your whole lifetime. And this fact makes it even harder to choose the ones to stay at. But luckily, this is where I step into place and I’ll do my best to help you with your decisions.
When Florian and I first visited South Tyrol, we actually stayed in Austria. We thought that this would give us more freedom to explore Austria as well, but let me tell you something: Don’t do it. South Tyrol is a place that will leave you speechless, craving for more time in this beautiful destination and I promise you, you don’t want to leave. Oh, and above all, South Tyrol is way bigger than you might think.
Things to do near Naturhotel Leitlhof
With that being said, you won’t be able to see South Tyrol in a week or two weeks, not even in a month or a year. Every time we come back to South Tyrol we discover new routes, new beautiful places and new corners that make a place shine differently. And especially in South Tyrol you have to experience every season once, because summer and winter couldn’t be more different here.
- Toblacher See / Lago di Dobbacio, 8.6km
- Dürrensee / Lago di Landro, 17.2km
- Pragser Wildsee / Lago di Braies, 21.1km – Read more about Lago di Braies here
- Misurinasee / Lago di Misurina, 25.2km
- Drei Zinnen / Tre Cime di Lavaredo, 32km
- Cadini di Misurina, 32km
Besides these typical touristy places, Naturhotel Leitlhof offers guided hikes. Such hikes are perfect if you are unsure about certain routes or simply feel safer when hiking with a group. The hikes are also offered in different levels of difficulty, so there should be something for everyone.
Best time to stay at Naturhotel Leitlhof
Most destinations in Europe tend to have their high season either in summer or winter, but for South Tyrol it’s generally … year-round. I promise you that South Tyrol is one of the most beautiful destination you can visit in Europe. And it’s even more beautiful if the weather isn’t perfect. There is nothing like a relaxing morning at the spa while listening to the rain, right? So, generally speaking: Every season is beautiful and perfect for a visit.
Transfer to Naturhotel Leitlhof
I always include this in every blog post about South Tyrol: You absolutely can visit South Tyrol by using public transportation but it’ll be way more convenient if you travel by car. However, the nearest international airport is in Venice. Alternatively you could fly into Munich, Salzburg or Zurich. There is no way to fly directly to South Tyrol.
The Leitlhof is only 2km from the train station in Innichen, but since we were traveling by car, it’s been no problem to reach the hotel.
Check-In at Leitlhof
Normally, check-in is scheduled from 3pm. But, of course, we had to be way earlier than expected. We decided to visit Lago di Braies in the morning and arrived at Leitlhof around 9am! Our rooms weren’t ready yet, but they welcomed us with hot coffee and ensured that we could relax after 12 hours of driving. At 10 o’clock in the morning our room was ready. We never expected it, but we were really happy to be able to rest after the long drive.
- Check-in: 3pm
- Check-out: 11am
Design – Leitlhof impresses with dignified luxury
What I particularly love about the hotel: The combination of old and new elements that always go perfectly together. The design adapts perfectly to the philosophy and you can tell how much love and time must have flowed into every single detail.
When you step into the hotel, you find yourself in a large, modern lobby. Just one room further, however, you will find industrial elements combined with beautiful wood. This style runs through the entire hotel and creates a unique ambience. Of course, design is a very subjective criterion, but for me the Naturhotel Leitlhof is one of the most beautiful hotels.
Rooms at Naturhotel Leitlhof
There is also something for everyone when it comes to the rooms at Leitlhof. Here you are spoiled for choice, because one room looks nicer than the previous one. You can choose between classic and modern rooms. During our stay we had a room in the „Alpine“ category and were more than thrilled, because the large balcony and the panoramic view simply invite you to relax, enjoy and dream.
Spa & Wellness
The Naturhotel Leitlhof is not only a very sustainable nature hotel, but also a wellness hotel. Here, 2,000 square meters of spa area with five saunas and a steam bath invite you to relax.
If there are two words to describe this spa area, I’d choose beautiful and elegant. You can reach the spa area from several floors and will find yourself in a relaxation area with tea and fresh fruit. From here on you can go outside and enjoy the fresh air, visit the hotel’s fitness studio with a beautiful view of the Sexten Dolomites or choose the comfortably warm relaxation room that directly leads to the indoor pool.
By the way, from the indoor pool it goes directly into the outdoor pool, which offers a view of the Dolomites and San Candido. Further down you will find the other wellness area with saunas, whirlpool and ice plunge pool.
Food & Beverages
You are spoiled for choice between „only“ breakfast or half board. We’d highly recommend to choose half board to everyone, because you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy their delicious cuisine every morning, afternoon and evening.
Breakfast
Most of the breakfast is buffet style. Individual dishes, such as pancakes or egg dishes, are ordered directly at the table. The large selection of fresh fruit and vegetables, dairy products and freshly baked pastries is great. Naturhotel Leitlhof offers, for example, fresh croissants with or without filling, muffins, cakes or donuts. Don’t worry that you won’t have enough choice if you prefer a hearty breakfast: Leitlhof always has fresh bread and bread rolls! Overall, we found the breakfast consistently delicious.
Marende
„A late afternoon snack with hearty or sweet South Tyrolean specialties: that’s the Marende.“ – We couldn’t have said it better!
In the afternoon you are, again, spoiled for choice at Leitlhof. You can choose between different specialities that change daily. However, you can expect the Marende board to be part of it every day. It’s a board with fresh cheese, ham, salami and bread. Furthermore, you can choose between typical hearty or sweet South Tyrolean dishes like bruschetta with Scamorza cheese, caramelized goat cheese, tiramisu, gelato or cake.
What most people don’t know: Marende is included if you book your stay with half board! If you prefer to have breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you can also opt for lunch at the hotel’s restaurant.
Dinner
For dinner it is generally very important to know that many products come from the hotel’s own farm. So you are very lucky here that you immediately know where the ingredients come from. In addition, the chef knows his trade more than just and I would really like to hire him myself!
Those who like top-class cuisine will find more than what they are looking for at the Leitlhof. Gala dinner on Sunday? Count me in! This is where perfectly coordinated intermediate courses meet down-to-earth perfection and I couldn’t praise the restaurant and the staff at the Leitlhof higher.
Sustainability
There are hotels that say „sustainable“ and there are hotels whose owners and employees live sustainably and bring more and more ideas, concepts and opportunities for improvement to the hotel.
The latter is the Leitlhof, which for me is a pure nature hotel. But not one of the kind that elegance, pleasure and well-being have passed by. Naturhotel Leitlhof is sustainable luxury. To a 100 percent.
But why do I think that Leitlhof is sustainable luxury at its best?
- Electricity and heat are produced independently and climate-neutrally – This makes Leitlhof one of the few energy self-sufficient hotels in Europa and how cool is this?
- Meat, vegetables and fruit come mostly from the hotel’s own farm
- Plants were planted wherever possible – that is good for the environment, for insects and it also looks nice
- A large dispenser with shampoo and body wash hangs in the shower – this reduces plastic waste
- It is ensured that as little food as possible has to be disposed of
Service at Leitlhof
The service in the Naturhotel Leitlhof was just like the rest: namely, simply perfect. Starting with the fact that we were able to get to our room much earlier than originally planned to the courteous service staff and lots of friendly people!
Value for money
The price-performance ratio in the Leitlhof is really great, especially if you catch one of the offers (e.g. for the next winter vacation?).
Summary | Naturhotel Leitlhof
In summary, we have only one complaint about the Naturhotel Leitlhof: You have to go back home at some point. We really think that Leitlhof is the perfect place to explore South Tyrol, enjoy some lazy days in their wonderful spa and just have a good time.
Check Naturhotel Leitlhof’s availability here.
We really hope you enjoyed this review of Naturhotel Leitlhof. Here are some more posts you might like:
- Lago di Braies – the ultimate travel guide
- Lago di Sorapis hike – everything you need to know
- Things to do in and around Garmisch-Partenkirchen
- Best things to do in Bavaria in summer
- Königssee travel guide
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Seems to be a beautiful hotel! I love that they produce their own energy and get meet from their farm. Will definitely save this hotel for future travels to South Tyrol. 🙂
Thank you, Sara! It definitely is. 🙂 Can’t wait to hear if you liked it!