Hotel Ottmanngut

This old Meranese guesthouse is a picture-perfect example of South Tirolean charm. In front of the historic building with its dark green shutters, palm trees bend gently in the wind between lemon trees and cypresses, with mountain peaks and the cloudless sky in the background. The Kirchlechner family welcomes you to one of Merano's oldest estates, now run by the sixth generation. They have furnished ten rooms for their guests with family heirlooms - Biedermeier, Art Deco and Art Nouveau. The atmosphere is different in each room, from small and cozy to stately and elegant. What they all have in common, though, is the understated design and light colors. It’s a win-win situation when it comes to the view – you can choose from the Mediterranean garden, the mountain landscape of the Texel Group, or the hotel's own vineyard. Should you need a break from the peace and quiet, interrupted only by the rustling of palm trees and the twittering of birds, the guesthouse is within walking distance of the Merano city center. Be warned, though – it’s not easy to tear yourself away. Breakfast is an experience in and of itself, and it sets the pace for the day. A three-course menu is served here every morning, with something new every day: sometimes it’s an omelette, sometimes muesli with fresh berries, but there’s always home-baked sourdough bread and homemade jams. With such a luxurious, leisurely start, you could be forgiven for thinking that you are missing absolutely nothing. Except perhaps a sun lounger in the shade of a lemon tree - which is (of course!) already waiting for you. Everything else? Can wait!

WHAT WE LIKE MOST:

• The many beautiful details that will make the heart of any lover of old buildings beat faster: terrazzo floors, tiled stoves, stucco ceilings, coffered doors ... oh!
• How lovingly the building was renovated and decorated. The nails used to restore the old floorboards to their former glory were hand-forged; the curtains were sewn from old linen or lace
• Sitting in the estate’s original orangery with a glass of wine from the hotel's own vinyard - a setting straight out of a historical movie
• Every room seems to tell the exciting story of the house, which started out as an agricultural estate and then became an aristocratic residence, home, guest house and even a military hospital during the First World War.
• Slow food enthusiasts are at work here. All ingredients are predominantly organic, regional and seasonal. They grow their own grapes, apricots, cherries, old apple varieties, Pala pears and lots of herbs. 
• Once a week, the guesthouse becomes a small restaurant. Jakob Zeller, this year’s breakfast chef, will cook for both house guests and local visitors.
• At least once a month, there is a communal dinner evening at a large table under the pergola in the garden. The house guests dine together, sharing dishes and many a tale.
• Sitting in short sleeves in the sun on the promenade on the banks of the Passer in Merano, while thick snow lies on the surrounding mountain peaks. In no other region of South Tyrol are the climatic contrasts as extreme as in Merano and its environs.
• The encounters with Max and Helmuth and little Futura! These friendly tortoises have been living in the garden of the house for decades.
• There are plenty of good reasons to explore the surrounding area, such as the magnificent gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle, the Belle Époque buildings and medieval arcades. Tyrol Castle. The Merano thermal baths. The Parcines waterfall. Crystal clear mountain lakes. Pristine valleys such as the Val Passiria, the Val Senales, and the Val d’Ultimo ...
• The Kirchlechner family is supportive of their employees in all situations, and engage apprentices and interns, including refugees. They are also committed to social projects through donations.

GOOD TO KNOW:

• Half-board à la Ottmanngut means dining in highly recommended restaurants, whether within a few minutes' walk in the city center or outside Merano.
• Children are welcome, although they cannot be accommodated in all rooms. Cribs are available on request.
• So as not to disturb the tranquillity of the place, televisions are only available in the rooms on request, but there is an extensive library with many books and a large selection of international daily newspapers and magazines.
• Ready, set, go! If you want to get moving, the region is perfect for cycling, hiking, climbing or skiing.
• Sustainability is writ big here: local materials such as larch or stones such as porphyry from nearby Andriano or Bolzano were used in the renovation. All waste is recycled. Guests who arrive by train or bicycle receive a 5 percent discount.
• Every year, the Ottmangut produces a small amount of wine from its own vinyard, which can be tasted on site. It is a blend of Lagrein, Nebbiolo and Cabernet in roughly equal parts.
• The hosts live in one half of the house and are there for their visitors with enthusiasm, great tips and lots of hospitality.
• Readings, art events and music evenings take place regularly in the orangery and garden.
• All-round feel-good service is the order of the day here: laundry service, packed lunches and train station transfers are available on request.
• Discounts are granted for bookings of 4 nights or more.
• The hotel can be reached from Munich in around 3.5 hours, from Innsbruck in around 2 hours and from Zurich in 4.5 hours. The train station in Merano is just under one kilometer from the hotel. Parking spaces for hotel guests are available nearby.

Photo credits: Barbara Gorfer, Simone Hawlisch, Cornelius Klimt, Damian Pertoll, René Riller, Patrick Schwienbacher, Franziska Unterholzner,