Alpin Panorama Hotel Hubertus

The spa is why most people come. The Sky Pool is 25 metres long, heated all year at 33°C, and sits about 12 metres above the meadows with a glass front facing the Dolomites. You swim in mountain spring water, with the valley below and the peaks in front of you.

Heaven & Hell is a free-floating spa on two levels beyond the hotel. The upper level has lie-down and seated whirlpools with open views. Stairs lead down to two saunas, a whirlpool and a cold rain shower. A walkway connects it to a glass relaxation room.

Around the hotel there is also an indoor pool, an outdoor saltwater pool, outdoor whirlpools and a cold plunge. The hotel describes six heated indoor and outdoor pools and seven saunas. Access is for hotel guests only; there is no day spa.

Treatments are in the Alpenreych Spa. Couple treatments are not offered; two people can book at the same time in separate rooms. Book ahead in peak season.

Rooms face the mountains, with large windows and a bed placed by the view. The hotel lists several categories, including the Peres room for two, the larger Braies room, the Alpes family room with bunk beds, the Dolomites Sauna Suite with a private sauna, and the Lumes Suite with a private sauna and jacuzzi.

Most rooms have a balcony over the valley, wooden interiors, satellite TV, a minibar and free Wi-Fi. Family rooms are available, so this is not an adults-only hotel.

Dinner is a five- to six-course gourmet menu, served in the evening, with themed nights. The restaurant is spread across eight dining areas with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Breakfast is a buffet with local dairy, homemade jams, fruit and organic produce. An afternoon snack is part of the stay. À la carte lunch is available at an extra charge. A table time is set for dinner, so the evening is structured rather than casual.

Hubertus sits on Geiselsberg above Olang / Valdaora, at Via Furcia 5, 39030 Sorafurcia. The view opens across the Pustertal to the Dolomites and the Rieserferner Group.

By car: From the north, west or south-west, take the A22 Brenner motorway to the Brixen / Pustertal exit, then the Pustertal state road. After about 40 km turn right towards Olang and follow the signs to Geiselsberg. From the east, come from the Austrian border at Sillian along the Pustertal road to Olang, then Geiselsberg. From the south-east, take the SS51 via Cortina to Toblach, then the Pustertal road to Olang and Geiselsberg. Parking is free on site. There are 32 EV charging points; charging is extra.

By train: International trains stop at Franzensfeste. Change to the local line towards Innichen or Lienz and get off at Olang-Antholz. The hotel picks you up from this station free of charge on arrival and takes you back on departure — about a 10-minute drive.

By plane: The closest airports are Bolzano (about 90 km / 1 hour 30 minutes) and Innsbruck (about 107 km / 1 hour 50 minutes). Verona is about 2 hours 50 minutes; Venice and Treviso about 3 hours. Munich is about 3 hours 45 minutes. Confirm a private transfer with the hotel if you do not want to drive.

Kronplatz / Plan de Corones is nearby. The hotel is not ski-in/ski-out; a free shuttle runs to the Gassl valley station from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

Best time to visit: winter for Kronplatz and the heated Sky Pool; summer for hiking and cycling; spring and autumn are quieter.