Arosea Life Balance Hotel: impressing by nature

What can you make out of wood, wool and slate? McGyver would save the world with it, ok, Anne Stauder and Thomas Gerstgrasser have built a natural hotel with a focus on the three basic materials that is as sustainably run as it is relaxing – and in addition to a great “swimming pond meets heated outdoor pool” duet, also has a wine-laden wine list. I checked into the Arosea Life Balance Hotel for a long weekend, and I’ll tell you what the stay might be like.

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I have to jump in there. I have to. I have to. When I first stumbled upon the Arosea Life Balance Hotel and saw the outdoor pool area, I was smitten. For two years I dreamed the opportunity would come when my vacation time, budget and a free room at the hotel would have floated on a shared silver horizon – and then Corona came along. But the infatuation did not let up and was then rewarded with a date after all. The weather was a little too uncozy for a dip in the swimming pond, but the rest of the stay was pure well-being. Why? Because the nature hotel is not a diva, but lets design cuddle with natural materials, culinary highlights and great wines. The approach to the hotel is an experience, first leading up the mountain over long switchbacks, then along the beautiful Ultensee before the destination appears directly opposite the shore. From the very first glance at the hotel, which blends into the hilly landscape and surrounding nature, you realize: there’s a concept behind it. You’re not checking into a separate world of concrete, but a feel-good place where botanical architecture got all the bachelor roses at once. When you walk up to the hotel, you realize that it doesn’t look like a typical hotel at all. But more about that later.

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Nature hotel with sustainable idea

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The Arosea Life Balance Hotel welcomes with an exterior cladding of wood in a variety of shades and weather conditions – which continues as you enter the lobby. Best of wood! All intentional, as the hosts reveal. The basic idea at Arosea is the eponymous balance. While one recovers and brings head and spirit back into balance, the same should also apply to nature. To ensure that this succeeds, the tactics of hosts Anne Stauder and Thomas Gerstgrasser are implemented with an eye for detail in all areas – from rooms to wellness and culinary – and all without the help of McGyver. Great cinema.

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14.30 p.m: check-in into Family Balance Suite

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You don’t have to worry about space for clothes, luggage or a chance to be alone in the Family Balance Suite. When you enter the 90-square-meter space, you’re guaranteed to think: wow. To the right is the dressing room, where even two fashionistas who have a hard time deciding find enough storage space. Immediately your eyes fall on the pine wood, which plays a supporting role in the interior and, in addition to the sleep-promoting effect, just looks incredibly cozy. To the left, you’ll find a large bathroom with shower and tub, including a panoramic mirror and a highlight that is likely to put a smile on the faces of female companions in particular. A makeup area is installed in the front part of the bathroom, including an illuminated mirror embedded in the faucet that can be easily opened and closed. Smart, cool, charming detail.

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Favorite place: the garden balcony

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In addition, the suite offers a living area with a cozy lounge corner, a drinking fountain with Grander water, bedroom, a second separable sleeping area with two beds for kids and a balcony. Whereby: This is more of an open-air terrace, cozy with green plants and its own sauna. That’s right: a balcony sauna with a view of the swimming pond and Lake Ulten. Speaking of the view: It’s so appealing that we kept being drawn to the balcony at night. You look out over a wide variety of wood and green tones. When early in the morning the fog begins to rise from the forest slopes and dynamically moves upwards, where it exposes or covers snow-covered peaks depending on your mood – simply dreamlike-mystical. You could also be here in the middle of a crime scene or thriller filming location. Only that in Arosea a clear case of relaxation beckons.

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15 p.m: time for a walk around Arosea Life Balance Hotel

On the first day, I always like to take a short walk through the hotel, then you quickly have a good orientation. At the Arosea you need about half a day, then you have the way to the elevator and the right floor for food, wellness or the way to the garage easy in mind. In any case, everything is on the way. For the gym and pool, you only have to turn diagonally right coming out of the elevator in the direction of the lobby and restaurant, then turn left to the bar, fireplace and buffet. From the bar-lounge area you come to the terrace and directly to the outdoor pool area. Tip: Walk around the small lake, find a favorite place to relax, check out the outdoor pool – you immediately feel like diving in. The weather shows itself rather from the cool side, but that should still change. You will see: The hotel is fun in any weather.

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15 p.m: time for water!

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No sooner said than done. In the Arosea you have the choice between the bathing pond (as long as the weather permits it, of course, those who train ice diving anyway can go in at any time) and the swimming pool with heated outdoor area. The interior is very elegantly designed, dark slate, even on the ceiling the cover is resumed with wooden elements. There are lounging options along the pool, which can get a little crowded now and then, but then you just move one floor up to the cabanas or one room over to the suspended loungers. There is also never any hustle and bustle, it is always quiet. Great lovable detail: At a small food station you find eight! different mineral waters (still and sparkling) to choose from, plus you can take nuts and dried fruits from a glass tower as a snack. The indoor pool is pleasantly air-conditioned, but the transition out into the outdoor area provides that special warming feeling of happiness every time. On the left side of the outdoor pool, you’ll find a lounger with whirlpool function that goes on for a really long time – the switch is embedded in the wood behind it. When you go back in, just mentally prepare for it to get noticeably fresher for a short while. But only briefly.

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19 p.m: Dinner

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Walking, eating well and gathering impressions makes you hungry. It’s a good thing that the food is dignified and plentiful. If you’ve just checked in, wait at the desk by the wine rack (and let yourself be inspired), then you’ll be shown to your seat at the first restaurant date – which is then yours until you check out, without having to throw a reservation towel on it. The process is easy. You’ll find the menu for the evening in a card that’s always ready for breakfast – but you won’t get that until tomorrow. From the menu, you can then choose one starter, one main course and one dessert from each of two alternatives.

Local at the local

Regardless of which dish you find on it, a large part of the products used come from organic farming. Many suppliers come from the region. Each season also has its own special features. That’s why the kitchen team only uses seasonal vegetables and fruit instead of preserves. Local flowers and herbs also find their way onto the plates. On top of that, sensational Roman-style semolina gnocchi with a deilkate tomato ragout (which makes many usual tomato sauces stand in the corner in envy and shame) and braised beef cheek with bread clover, mashed potatoes and savoy cabbage are served. Portions are more than fairly sized, groove in a bit on how fiercely you flirt with the buffet beforehand.

That’s the salad

Keyword buffet. Then it’s on to the salad. There is a variety of olive oils (double digits) and vinegars and aceto balsamico (also close to double digits, I’ve never seen that), plus always two ready-made dressings, combined with extras such as pickled ginger, croutons, herbs, various seeds, superfoods and of course a wide selection of salad and vegetables. In addition, you will find the Ulten organic bread along with a selection of incredibly flavorful spreads such as delicious tomato pesto or butter with seasonal herbs. If you still have some room at the end, you can make a pleasure hike in the direction of cheese and chutney.

All on the wine card

No dinner without wine, so a quick check of the location. There is always a small selection of open wines, plus a really finely tuned menu with South Tyrolean insider tips (and much more) from the bottle, such as the great winemaker Elena Walch or the Cuvée Zeder from the Kornell winery – all located in each case near the South Tyrolean Wine Route – even more arguments for the route!

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21 p.m: Wine & Drinks

Wine at Arosea? Fireplace and find out! The place next to the fireplace in the bar lounge is much classier than the pun. With a view of the fire, I could sit there for hours and taste fruit salads. Simply the open Lagrein or Merlot in the glass and relaxation fire free. On the menu, of course, there is also a wide selection of drinks and spirits. And: a nice team of noble brandies and grappa. Highly recommended.

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9.00 a.m: Breakfast

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Tip: Do as we do and order a scrambled egg or omelet with ham, bacon, cheese, onions or all together, which the breakfast bartender mixes on your plate. In addition, there is a wide selection of Ulten organic bread and a wide selection of yogurt with countless pleasure ammunition from sunflower seeds, seeds, nuts and, and, and. Especially delicious are the fresh juices, from the apple juice we did not get enough. This is also due to the fact that the Arosea is on a different level. Oh yes: When you come to the table, you’ll find the menu of choice for the evening ahead. Take a look or be surprised – you decide. But in the end, you still have to choose something, or better yet, decide for something.

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11 a.m: little walk

You can, of course, head up into the mountains or start cycling with the hotel’s rental e-bikes, but we opt for a walk along Lake Ulten. The path leads directly along the water and offers great views of the wooded slopes with mystical waterfall and misty clouds.

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15.15 p.m: Relaxation, part 1

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After that we do a round in the gym – here you can look through the glass pane on the swimming pond area with pool – so has the reward target directly in view. And yes, the heated outdoor pool has real sex appeal – so any date that can be arranged is a must. Especially since the experience is always accompanied by new impressions – whether light drizzle and fog in the mountains or bright sunshine: it always puts you in a relaxed mood, and while floating in the water you quickly forget the time.

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16.15 p.m: little snack

If the little hunger calls, you can take a cake break in between. Where the buffet is served later, you will find the cake selection of the day and tea and coffee. You can then treat yourself in front of the fireplace, perhaps with a glass of red wine – pampering can be so simple.

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16.45 p.m: relaxation, part 2

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Spa treatment, hay bed, rocking bed, sauna or pool? All together? No relaxation is left out in the wellness area. Here, too, the approach of the nature hotel is evident: because only natural care products such as aromatic herbs, plants and flowers, essential oils and creams are used on the skin. How about a sheep’s wool bath with Alpine herbs, for example?

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19.30 p.m: Dinnertime

Admittedly: If you read the menu early in the morning, you’ll be hungry for it by noon at the latest. The final decision is only made shortly before the end, when the nice service pulls out the pad. The kitchen doesn’t make it easy either.

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22.00 p.m: Late Night Drink

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10 a.m: Breakfast

Once again try across the buffet and do not think. Every day you discover something new that you have not yet tried extensively. And for the journey home you should already be strengthened.

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11 a.m: Check out and (unfortunately) departure

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After breakfast (of course I’ve already packed everything the night before) it went for me again on a farewell kiss in the outdoor pool. That’s definitely in before checking out at eleven o’clock. Saying goodbye is then, however, already more difficult, the button to the sliding glass door into the interior presses one also only reluctantly. But it only has to be a temporary farewell. And time has definitely stood still during our stay. What day do we have again?

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Arosea Life Balance Hotel: What you need to know:

• There is no dress code. We were treated to the afternoon cake in our spa bathrobes and were generally greeted in a very friendly manner – but we sensed (and had fun with) that people dressed a bit more smartly and casually for dinner.
• The half-board includes breakfast until 10:30, dinner with a gourmet menu, and an afternoon buffet with changing cakes from 2:00 to 5:00 pm.
• There is an extensive selection of SPA offers at the Naturhotel with natural alpine products such as aromatic herbs, plants and flowers, essential oils and creams. Simply request an appointment in good time one day in advance or even before arrival, and it will work out.
• Information and tips on hiking routes and bike tours through the mountains are available at the reception – e-bikes are easy to rent.
• There is a large underground garage with ample parking space.
• Dare to ask. No question or request is too stupid, at the reception or at the bar they always help.
• The Arosea Life Balance Hotel in the Ulten Valley is a five-star hotel. That should plan accordingly a (beverage) budget. Who like us the wine love curiously pursues, orders certainly in the evening one of the bottles from 30.40 euros and the one or other open wine or / plus drink. But that’s what you’re on vacation for.

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Arosea Life Balance Hotel: What i love

• The architecture that blends into the surroundings, combined with the garden and pool area, wine love and hospitality.
• The view – whether from the pool, the restaurant or the spacious Family Balance Suite balcony.
• The charmingly and thoughtfully designed rooms and suites with a modern design and alpine look, without being the least bit kitschy.
• The size and elegant-cozy style of the suite and the storage space of the closets.
• The terrace-balcony with sauna. Simple. Wow.
• The casual, charming-natural ambiance.
• The wonderful garden area around the swimming pond and outdoor pool, designed with love and attention to detail, with lots of small, natural lounge areas, seating and sun loungers by the water, where you can always find a spot for yourself. Perfect for day drinking as well.
• The outdoor pool – thanks to heating, you can still swim here in autumn with a panoramic view.
• The fireplace in the bar area. The favorite place for a cup of tea or a glass of wine in the evening.
• The cuisine. Here is cooked with love for selected and regionally grown ingredients.
• Did I mention the delicious food?
• The salad buffet. There are a variety (double digits) of olive oils and vinegars and aceto balsamico, plus always two ready-made dressings, combined with extras like pickled ginger, croutons, herbs, various seeds, superfoods and, of course, a wide selection of lettuce and vegetables.
• The wine selection. There is always a small selection of open wines, plus a really finely tuned menu with insider tips such as the great winemaker Elena Walch. Try it!
• The price/performance ratio.

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Arosea Life Balance Hotel: travel documents

Are you in the mood for an enjoyable hike in the Ulten Valley? Overnight stays at the Naturhotel Arosea Life Balance start from 195 euros including half board, in the Family Balance Suite you stay from 225 euros. More information and everything important to the hotel finds it under www.arosea.it/de/naturhotel