Situated high on the Ritten (Renon in Italian) plateau in Oberbozen (Soprabolzano) is the Parkhotel Holzner, a 1908 family-run stalwart steeped in rich history with a clear vision for the future. Immediately apparent is the hotel’s sophisticated and guest-centric approach to catering to all generations.
With sustainability as a core tenet of the team at Parkhotel Holzner and a delightful promise of arriving by cable car, we set out to uncover what makes Parkhotel Holzner a model of success when it comes to implementing green initiatives in its historic property.
Our Editorial Director, Sarah Ludwig, had the pleasure of staying at the hotel and met with Maria Holzner for a tour to discuss the hotel’s progress in its drive for sustainability.
Read on to discover more about the magic that’s happening in this part of South Tyrol and why Parkhotel Holzner captivated us from the very start.

History + Design
Parkhotel Holzner’s original structure is a striking example of Swiss Alpine style, or Alpine Art Nouveau, blending old-world craftsmanship with thoughtful modern additions. Built in 1908, the hotel retains its historical charm while integrating contemporary design elements reflective of the era.
Remarkably, the hotel remained intact through both world wars and the intervening years, undergoing its first revival in the 1970s and entering its contemporary era in 2008, when leadership transitioned to the next generation.
In collaboration with local architects bergmeisterwolf, great effort has been made to preserve the property’s heritage while allowing it to expand into the family-friendly luxury experience it is today.
The historical house remains the centerpiece, with new additions coalescing around it. Carefully selected materials and meticulous design blur the modern and the original, an approach that has earned architectural awards such as the Bigsee Awards in 2021.
When it comes to location, forward-thinking is not a new concept: prime placement on the sunny south side of the plateau provides sweeping views of the Dolomites. Convenient proximity to the rail station (which is the very reason the hotel was founded) and the cable car (making Bolzano just a 15-minute ride away) allow for relatively direct access to this hideaway. Each generation has seen the potential of this place and taken action to integrate the hotel as a means of deeply connecting people to each other and themselves.
Not to mention the breathtaking views. Equally breathtaking is the first time seeing the distinct slope of the red roof against the Dolomites backdrop as the cable car moors into the station, quite literally at the property’s entrance gate. The magnificence of the grounds is undeniable from this angle.
Arguably, no other hotel in the Bolzano area provides such a dramatic welcome.
An unexpected surprise? The relaxed whimsy underpinning timeless elegance, punctuated by the likes of the green candy-cane striped sign-posts and tasteful vintage details throughout the grounds. Maria even laughed as she demonstrated how the one-of-a-kind Art Nouveau tower feature allows the steeple to open — a design request from the architects that the family happily embraced.

Sustainability
For over a century and four generations, the Holzner family has cultivated a personal affinity for this corner of South Tyrol. It is this deeply human-centric approach and care for their local environment that has embedded sustainability into the core of the Parkhotel Holzner.
This is the hotel “for all generations,” and the family wants to keep it that way long into the future. Using specific, measurable goals in cooperation with Terra Footprint (from EarthCheck), the hotel team is eager to ensure they’re making progress toward climate neutrality.
And the hotel team’s accomplishments in a short period are impressive. Regionally certified as a Level 3 Sustainable Property and part of the South Tyrolese “Green Energy” supply plan, the grounds are powered by 100% renewable energy for both electricity and heating needs. The property features 253 classic Art Nouveau lamps, which are powered with modern, low-energy technology – one of the many small details of how this hotel upholds its history while reducing its impact.
There are electric car chargers onsite (plus the hotel’s own shuttle bus is electrified), but getting to the hotel without a vehicle is as easy as can be with South Tyrol’s streamlined transit network. Guests can choose the hotel’s Sustainable Travel Package, covering the cost of luggage service if traveling by train or offsetting CO2 footprint if traveling by flight.
Preserving water is especially important on the drought-prone Ritten Plateau and Parkhotel Holzner is dotted with rain collectors and cisterns. Towels and linens are changed only on request and washed with ECOLABEL-certified laundry products.
The hotel also supports local biodiversity. Located in a 10,000 square meter park, the management plants and looks after local trees, plus has installed bird and bat boxes to encourage local wildlife to flourish.

Accommodation
There are options a-plenty at Parkhotel Holzner, with 16 categories of rooms, suites, and a holiday house that is perfect for large family groups. I stayed in the Eden Junior Suite in the new wing, waking up to birds chirping off the garden terrace and a view of the Dolomites in the distance from what felt like my own personal mountain, thanks to the private nature of the new wing.
A selection of unique suites offers similar experiences, while the hotel’s double rooms are located in the main hotel building. Rooms here feature the furniture from the hotel’s early years (but one may never realize it with its pristine condition and classic design), while the new wing leans into a contemporary concept echoing the original Alpine Art Nouveau.
Relaxed sophistication from a bygone era can be seen throughout, adorned in green and tan neutrals, preserved furniture, and refined in-room touches like the spa baskets nudging guests to head to the Liberty Spa as soon as possible. That is, if guests can manage to leave the views from the comfort of the room’s private terrace.

Amenities + Activities
It’s rare to find a hotel that strikes a harmonic balance between “family-friendly” and “adult retreat,” yet Parkhotel Holzner does so with aplomb. Slip downstairs from the main hotel and you’ll find the Liberty Spa with adults-only areas, or head next door to relax together at the Family Spa which includes a south-facing heated outdoor pool, a 12-meter indoor pool, family relaxation area, and sun-bathing lawn.
The Liberty Spa is in a class of its own, with complimentary guest use of the panoramic sauna, relaxation room, and spa’s masterpiece — the Hamam. While many alpine retreats in this area offer similar services, the Hamam circuit is particularly unique to the family’s history; a tribute to the hotel’s very first owner, Hans Holzner, and his time in Egypt. Book one of the Art Nouveau-themed treatments for yourself, like the Femme Joyeuse, Bathing Men, or La Plume. Non-hotel guests can experience the spa with a day pass and there are even introductory spa treatments for children and teens.
Wellness at the Holzner is fully supported. A fully equipped gym offers personal training alongside a complimentary fitness program. Clay tennis courts are available, with the option for coaching sessions. The hotel will rent mountain bikes to guests for free and on-site guides lead hikers throughout the mountain’s 300 kilometers of trails.
Playing is second nature here. For children, there are spacious indoor play areas including crafts and toys, and a teen lounge and gym comprising a kid-sized climbing wall and bowling lane. Outdoor play areas are located amongst the meadows and trees of the park, where guests will also find a petting zoo, a wooden horse-drawn carriage, an adventure playground, and a wooden airplane. A qualified team operates the hotel’s Kids Program, while family hikes are offered once a week with the Holzners themselves. A hiking backpack with refillable glass drinking bottles is included for guests in their rooms.
In winter, this little slice above Bozen transforms. This is not your ski resort stay in the Dolomites proper, but a welcoming getaway of low-impact winter sports on the Ritten mountain, like winter hiking and cross-country skiing, making it an especially magical time during the Christmas season.

Food + Drink
The hotel offers two options for dining, both exceptional: Michelin Star Restaurant 1908 and the hotel’s historic dining room.
Head chef Stephan Zippl and his team are the proud recipients of a Michelin Star at the onsite Restaurant 1908, alongside a Green Star, in recognition of their dedicated sustainability efforts through its Re:vier cuisine — the chef’s innovative philosophy on the German Revier (territory) the relationship to the land and farmers, and vier (four) for the compositional elements of sweetness, acidity, spiciness, and crunchiness. It’s one of just 30 Green Star restaurants in Italy, awarded thanks to the hotel’s focus on using seasonal, local, and organic produce, as well as supporting local farmers and reducing food waste.
Even if you’re staying in Bolzano proper, make it a priority to take the cable car up for the evening and indulge in 1908’s exquisite seven-course menu.
Inside the original building, the dining areas boast grand chandeliers and Thonet chairs, where hotel guests can enjoy a gourmet half board using original cutlery from the early 1900s. Large windows allow views of the surrounding mountains and even more so on the outdoor terrace, which is open throughout the warmer months.
At breakfast, local South Tyrolean bacon and cheese are served alongside fresh fruit, local honey, free-range eggs, and freshly baked bread. Children can enjoy freshly squeezed juices, and special children’s menus are available at all mealtimes.
And guests would certainly regret leaving without spending some time in the Green Parlour bar, perfectly capturing the spirit of the day with its timeless wood paneling, historic luminaires, and comfortable armchairs.
Special thanks to Maria Holzner, receptionist Sebastian Peer, and the Parkhotel Holzner team for their superb hospitality.
Check out Parkhotel Holzner for yourself:
Website: parkhotel-holzner.com
Address: Via del Paese 18, 39054 Soprabolzano, Renon (BZ)
Email: info@parkhotel-holzner.com
Phone: +39 0471 345 231
Instagram: @parkhotel_holzner_1908