Family farm, beautiful tales make good friends
It was in the village of San Lorenzo di Sebato, in South Tyrol, that Giorgia and Stefano Barbini, after years of work in the world of fashion and luxury, rewrote their family and professional lives around nature and hospitality. Sensitive to the memory of the place, they rehabilitated a sixteenth-century alpine farm a few years ago to make White Deer, a "lodge" with sublimated rusticity, a larch shingle roof and whitewashed walls. Dominating the Pusteria Valley, overlooking the high snow-capped peaks of the Dolomites, these 13 hectares of meadow and forest, at 1,200 meters above sea level, summon the best spirits of the mountain.
Sauna and hammam for après-ski relaxation. Annette Fischer Fotografin www.a
Four rooms (10 people max) in an enveloping, vaulted, wooded environment, with deep sofas, fireplace, Tyrolean stove, library, home chef, and even an old goat farm transformed into a tasting cellar (1500 bottles), not to mention sauna, hammam, indoor pool, ski storage, etc. indicate the level of service and comfort. But the most beautiful memories will be woven in the company of Stefano with whom you will go this autumn to pick mushrooms, or this winter to cut logs, who will introduce you to wood carving, snowshoeing or make you hurtle down the slopes in the moonlight.
With Club Faune, from € 2,900 per person for 5 nights (based on 6 adults and 4 children), return flights Paris-Venice, car rental, half board and two days of activities included.
Cocoon hotel, in the heart of the panorama
After major renovations, the former iconic Hotel Impero is getting a makeover under the name Hotel de Len. Â Helenio Barbetta
In the center of the famous ski resort of Cortina d'Ampezzo, at 1,200 meters above sea level, the former Hotel Impero was taken over by the Melpignano family, founder of the Egnazia group (Masseria San Domenico, Borgo Egnazia, Santavenere...). After major renovations, the institution is getting a makeover under the name Hôtel de Len. In Ladin – a Rhaeto-Romance language spoken by a few communities in northeastern Italy – len is wood. A noble material that alone tells the story of the substance and form of this new haunt combining ethics, sustainability and conservation of local craftsmanship, "with the aim of balancing the relationship between man and nature and allowing a respectful, collective and far-sighted use of the territory". The rule set, the 22 rooms with simple and colorful decoration play perfectly the mix of tradition and modernity. Ideally located for fans of skiing (the shuttle to the ski lifts of Faloria stops just in front), snowshoeing or fat bike, the hotel has also worked on its proposals for epicureans.
The 22 rooms with their simple and colourful decoration at the Hôtel de Len perfectly play the mix of tradition and modernity. Â Helenio Barbetta
Optionally, taste experiences (wine tasting, preparation of cocktails based on wild herbs and wood with surprising aromas, local cooking classes) and wellness with hatha and vinyasa yoga sessions, as well as a beautiful rooftop spa where you can live the "Spa by night 5 senses": three exclusive hours for two people filled with treatments, baths, relaxation and champagne dinner, with only the 180-degree Dolomites as guests.
Hotel de Len. From 299 € the double room with breakfast.
