San Luis hotel review - South Tyrol, Italy

Following the success of their first hotel in the centre of Merano, the Meister family have launched a second property, this time perched a few kilometres away on the Avelengo plateau, overlooking the spa town.

16 tree houses by local architect Hugo Demetz are set within the forest, while 22 chalets by Austrian firm Landauer rest on the edge of the manmade lake. The interiors, by mother and daughter, are unfussy and welcoming; untreated Mondholz wood surfaces and a putty and slate grey palette are notably rustic with a discerning slick edge.

After a day spent hiking in the hills, there is a hot tub submerged in the middle of the lake to soothe aching limbs, or retire to a fireside spot in the barn-style spa, which has both indoor and outdoor pools, treatment rooms and panoramic views of the dramatic Dolomite mountains. To fuel up ahead of a day on the pistes, grab a plate of locally grown Mediterranean veggies by raw food fan and Michelin-starred chef Artuto Spiocchi in the hotel’s clubhouse hub.