FORESTIS

the new frontier of Eco-friendly Luxury

Opened in July 2020 and located above Brixen in Italian South Tyrol, the 5-Star boutique hotel FORESTIS has become one of the hot spots in the European Alps for all the Nature Lovers. Its proud owners Stefan Hinteregger and his wife Teresa Unterthiner are, slowly but surely, building a strong and long-lasting entrepreneurial success story. Celebrating with authenticity and care their beloved homeland and offering an unforgettable life experience to their international guests.

By Hélène Battaglia

FORESTIS (a mix of Italian Foresta and Latin) is not just another luxury hotel to stay at. Located at 1.800 meters above sea level, in the middle of the wood, near the small village of Palmschoß (on the southern slope of Plose mountain), the latter is definitively a one-ofa-kind peaceful and secluded hideaway with an amazing view on the Dolomites, a UNESCO’s World heritage site. A niche destination to relax, regenerate, heal and feel the strong power of the mountains. A special place, hidden behind wild hedges and discovered by chance by South Tyrolian hotelier Alois Hinteregger in 2000, which offers a unique sensorial and human experience, you will never forget. From an old unoccupied and unfinished house made of wood and natural stones designed by renowned architect Otto Wagner and former retreat for priests and clergymen until 1950, to a 62-suite luxury and modern lodge opened in 2020. FORESTIS is the perfect way the new owners, Stefan Hinteregger- son of Alois- and his wife Teresa Unterthiner, have found, after travelling around the world for work or fun for many years, to celebrate their roots and the beauty of their homeland. First at all with authenticity. « The more you think about the guests in your concept planning, the less authentic it becomes. In the end, the guests notice that too, and that is why it’s useless. We see ourselves as hosts who invite guests into their home so that they can relax. And the guests only come because they are convinced by our idea and our way of life. And that is the whole idea behind it. Every hotelier who develops a new concept, should keep it in mind: Think about yourself and stay authentic » explains Teresa. Sustainability also matters. The minimalist architecture of the hotel, designed by local architect Armin Sader, fits perfectly with the surrounding nature which is the one and only one protagonist of these places: all suites, the spa and the restaurant, designed like a theater, are indeed oriented to the South so every guest is able to enjoy this natural breathtaking spectacle. Interior design has also been focused on preserving and highlighting the local and ancient tradition of craftsmanship as the artistic ceiling panels, the windows or the imposing staircase inside and outside and, last but not least, the unchanged wood of the

façade which tells about the history of the building. Another pride of the FORESTIS is with no doubt its 2.000 square meters Spa, personally developed by Teresa for 4 years. It is the only place in the world which offers the teaching of Wyda, the Yoga of the Celtic Druids which comes from traditional European medicine, refers to the nature of the region and involves stones, water, wood, and trees, as well as the climatic conditions and the way of eating. All the Spa team was sent to a monastery in Germany to train and learn about energetic points: The hotel is indeed located in a unique location full of special energy, able to adjust the body. The influence of the wood is also present in the kitchen. In the respect for old-established culinary traditions and with the creativity of a modern kitchen, Chef Roland Lamprecht is a committed ambassador of slow food and especially of his delicious Forest Cuisine which is synonymous of diversity, naturalness, and authenticity. All the ingredients daily used are organic and provided by surrounding Mother Nature and local farmers. The new frontier of eco-friendly Luxury is already here. Waiting for you.