Dolomites | MORAL COMPASS: Great Places to Go Where the Going Does Good

*ADLER Lodge ALPE, a cozy, high-end hotel within Italy’s famed Alpe di Siusi Landscape Protection Area, has an “inclusive arrangement.”*

South Tyrol, Italy – In today’s fast-paced world, figuring out the logistics of a vacation (the time off! the airfare! the prices!) can feel like yet another hassle. But once guests arrive at ADLER Lodge ALPE, a cozy, high-end hotel within Italy’s famed Alpe di Siusi Landscape Protection Area, just about everything is included.

Fancy an afternoon spent in the sunlit lobby, savoring a glass (or more) of local wine or beverage of choice? No one will write down your room number or ask you to sign anything—though a helpful staff member might offer you another pour. And whether you prefer a guided hike or a soak in the infinity pool, the same philosophy applies—it’s all included.

That’s because the per-night pricing structure, which the hotel calls “inclusive arrangement,” covers just about everything. It includes three daily meals, snacks throughout the day, an afternoon tea, soft drinks (think bottled mineral water and fresh juice), wines and liqueurs. Although treatments cost extra, guests can enter the spa to use its saunas and heated outdoor pool, which is open year-round. Guided activities such as skiing, hiking, mountain biking and sunset yoga—not to mention equipment rentals—are also covered.

It’s an all-inclusive hotel—minus the neon plastic bracelets, tiki bars and booming music. Instead, guests are treated to a refined, ultra-relaxing atmosphere that’s a true retreat from the worries of daily life, where the toughest decision made in a day will be whether to order the hay-roasted lamb or canederli dumplings at dinner.

The luxury food and travel blog Travellers’ Places said that ADLER Lodge was “designed to radiate peace and relaxation,” a fact that’s clear from the moment guests arrive. The hotel consists of a main building with 18 junior suites, as well as 12 private, freestanding chalets, modeled after classic mountain huts, dotted throughout the property. The main reception area is home to a 40-foot–high totem by Adolf Vallazza, the world-famous wood sculptor.

The majestically beautiful Alpe di Siusi is as important to the story of ADLER Lodge ALPE as its luxurious rooms and expert staff. Although skiers are lured by the nearby world-famous runs during winter, each season is utterly unforgettable. Spring brings the sounds of birdsong and views of brightly colored meadows covered with wildflowers like orchids, crocuses and edelweiss. During the lush, green summers, the soft breezes and abundant sunshine make it easy to stay active all day. The alpenglow is a famous autumn phenomenon that guests love to observe during cocktail hour. Right before sunset, the mountain walls begin to glow with a gorgeous mix of orange, red and violet hues. This unique, breathtaking display is a special time that lasts only for a few minutes, and it reminds guests and staff members to pause and soak in the magical setting.

A network of trails adjacent to the property allows guests to easily hike or ski out and back to explore the Alpe di Siusi. Visitors can also experiment with yoga, horse-drawn carriage rides, snowshoeing, mountain biking and swimming in the heated indoor-outdoor infinity pool. Treated with therapeutic Dead Sea salt, the pool resembles a mountain lake, especially in the early mornings, as the mist rises and mingles with the clean, crisp air.

The Alpine Spa is set in its own loft within the main building; it’s home to a hay sauna, fitness center and windows offering panoramic views of the rolling meadows and jagged Dolomite peaks. The staff takes pride in helping guests choose treatments that are best suited to their preferences, such as facials, peels, massages, body wraps and wooden tub baths. There are also several combination options (called “rituals”) that mix several different treatments for a truly sublime experience. One relaxation room has a glass ceiling that is especially popular during the evenings, as it allows guests to stargaze in a warm, luxurious setting.

ADLER Lodge ALPE is an eco-friendly hotel that complies with the Klimahaus Nature standards, which include strict requirements for responsible energy consumption, sustainable construction materials and an architectural design that’s in harmony with the surrounding landscape.

ADLER Lodge ALPE has three sister properties in Italy, each each imbued with a strong sense of place. ADLER Dolomiti Spa & Sport Resort and ADLER Balance Spa & Health Residence are in the center of Ortisei overlooking the mountains, with architecture that’s beautifully integrated into the alpine setting. ADLER Thermae Spa & Relax Resort, in Bagno Vignoni, Tuscany, is famous for its complex of naturally fed thermal baths and pools, totaling more than 1,000 square meters. As the hotels have grown and expanded from their humble roots, one thing has not changed: The Sanoner family, who have owned and managed the properties for seven generations and are passionate about hospitality.

For more information: https://www.adler-resorts.com/en/

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ADLER Thermae Resort & Spa in Bagno Vignoni, Italy, the groundbreaking five-star hotel fed by the Bagno Vignoni’s thermal waters, takes full advantage of its breathtaking location in the Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Bagno Vignoni, Italy – It would be easy for a guest at ADLER Thermae Resort & Spa, the groundbreaking five-star hotel fed by the Bagno Vignoni’s thermal waters, to be tempted to check in for several days and never leave the property. After all, the baths, saunas and pools cover 1,000 square feet of the property, and the spa menu has more than 120 treatments, including carefully customized facials performed with signature ADLER products and massages using techniques such as craniosacral and Ayurveda.

But they would be missing out on one of the most distinctive things about the hotel: Its breathtaking location in the Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Adler Thermae offers the perfect home base for exploring the area through half-day excursions led by local guides—which still leave plenty of time to luxuriate at the spa.

Guests who want to immerse themselves in eating, drinking, walking and relaxing—activities that have arguably been perfected in Italy—should look at two packages: “Enjoy Tuscany” and “Explore Tuscany.”

Visitors who’ve booked “Enjoy Tuscany” will have the chance to take a morning cooking class taught by a local home cook (or “mamma”) at Tenuta Sanoner, the hotel’s hilltop winery. After working in the kitchen, they’ll savor their creations during lunch on the terrace overlooking the valley. They’ll also experience a tasting in the wine cellar featuring local varietals, cheeses and meats. Not only will they return home relaxed and full of fabulous food, they’ll have new recipes in their cooking repertoire and everlasting memories of Tuscany.

Another highlight of the package is the Adler Luxury Aetos Ritual treatment, which is designed for couples. A detoxifying peel is followed by a soothing massage using grapeseed oil. Next comes a regenerating bath in mix of the hotel’s thermal mineral waters and local red wine, which is rich in antioxidants. To further engage the senses, the treatment concludes with a glass of sparkling Aetos Rosé and a taste of wine-aged pecorino cheese.

“Enjoy Tuscany”
4 to 7 nights; from €1,021.00 per person
Through 10/31/19
Included:

1 cooking class in the enchanting Tenuta Sanoner, followed by lunch
1 ADLER Luxury Aetos ritual for two: a luxurious wine therapy ritual with a cleansing dermatological peel, relaxing massage, a regenerating bath in thermal water and final tasting of Aetos wine and pecorino cheese.
1 Tasting of wine and typical products in the ADLER cellar

The “Explore Tuscany” offer gives guests the chance to be active with local hikes and walks, which are especially pleasant during spring and autumn. Led by local guides, visitors will climb the rolling Tuscan hills and have the chance to see some of the area’s most famous sites, including the Abbey of Sant’Antimo, the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore, and the Vitaleta Chapel. Should they prefer to cycle, they’ll have complimentary access to the hotel’s fleet of mountain bikes and electric bikes.

Other excursions might include the classic Renaissance towns of Pienza, with its famous cathedral and Papal residence, and Montepulciano and Montalcino, known for their namesake wines. Finally, gourmands will appreciate the chance to meet some of Tuscany’s renowned artisanal producers, and they’ll be able to taste wine, olive oil, cured meat, saffron, pasta and cheese. Depending on the season, they also will be able to see ingredients like herbs, fruit, vegetables and truffles growing in their natural environment. The perfect partner to a week spent hiking and biking? A €100 spa voucher for each guest, so they can decide which treatment will best soothe their sore muscles.

“Explore Tuscany”
4 to 14 nights; from €854.00 per person (excluding local tastings, which cost approximately €15 to 35 each)
Through 12/20/19
Included:

Up to 5 hiking tours or excursions per week
1 €100 spa voucher per person
Free use of mountain bikes and e-bikes

Adler Thermae Spa and Resort in Tuscany, set between the vineyards of Montepulciano and Montalcino, has redefined the idea of wellness. Its peaceful surroundings in the UNESCO Tuscan site, warm thermal waters and the staff’s fierce dedication have proven to be a magical combination. The spa menu is always improving, capitalizing on the highest quality natural products and state-of-the-art equipment. Treatments address both inner harmony and outer beauty while encouraging deep relaxation. A team of more than 40 staff members and physicians provide individual counseling and treatments for body and soul.

The five-star hotel spa offers not only relaxation and beauty treatments, but also modern western medicine and alternative healing methods. The ADLER MED medical competence center has its own team of doctors from disciplines like general medicine, laboratory medicine, aesthetic medicine, modern Mayr medicine, homeopathy, herbal medicine and nutrition.

The hotel has a total of 90 luxury rooms and suites: The Superior is for two people, while Junior Suites accommodate three to four. The spacious rooms offer a sitting area with tea table, sofa, writing desk and armchair. The decor features rich wood furnishings with warm-toned draperies. Rooms and suites have “Bio air-conditioning” (room temperature and humidity individually adjustable) and private terraces or balconies overlooking the splendid Orcia Valley. The marble bathroom features a separate glass-enclosed shower, toilet and bidet. Hypoallergenic and handicapped-accessible rooms are also available.