Thanks to its unique geographic shape and location, Italy has something for travellers across all seasons. We recently journeyed to the north of the country and into the Dolomites to stay at My Arbor, a tree hotel that makes you feel like you are floating amidst the forest. Find out why this adults-only wellness property needs to be on your bucket list.

While this stay was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own.

My Arbor wellness hotel review

Setting the scene

My Arbor hotel exterior
The design of the property makes you feel like you are staying in a tree hut

Having already visited Rome and Bologna on a recent Italian adventure, we headed north on the train to Bolzano. A quick change to a local train for the last part of our journey, we were surprised that everything was now in German.

Alighting at Bressanone/Brixen, we were met by a gentleman who was to transport us to our final destination: My Arbor, a unique tree hotel set amid the Dolomite Mountain Range. Winding our way up, it was interesting to see the more Germanic style of houses across the peaks and valleys.

My Arbor was conceived and is run by Brixen locals Markus and Renate Huber. The architecture by Tage Architects consists of a box atop stilts that gives a floating, tree hut-like appearance, making the arrival experience at the property incredibly awe-inspiring.

We were welcomed by the friendly team and escorted to the bar for a welcome drink, where we got to take in the magnificence of our surroundings while sipping cocktails crafted from the in-house gin infused with the local spruce – how divine.

The room

nest suite My Arbor hotel
Our Nest Suite was roomy with exceptional views

Despite being the entry-level option, our spacious Nest Suite carried the tree hut theme upstairs into a warm cabin-like interior with wood panelling. Atop the bed, two spa bags awaited, filled with the comfiest (and most stylish) hooded robes I’ve encountered at a hotel along with matching green slippers. These were soon to become our uniform for the duration of our stay.

For guests looking to zone out or catch up on a book, a double day bed set into the window allows for immersion in the captivating mountain views. Coffee or cocktails are best enjoyed from your private balcony.

The King bed was super comfy and difficult to get out of and also offered wonderful vistas, while a huge shower kitted out with amenities from Italian brand Team Dr. Joseph made for the perfect way to awaken in the morning.

Even though the view was wonderful entertainment, we were surprised that the TV didn’t have an option to stream, nor any smart TV apps.

Spa and sauna

My Arbor hotel swimming pool in sun
No matter the season, the indoor/outdoor pool is a wonderful spot to while away the hours

The pièce de résistance of the property, if I had to choose just one, is undoubtedly the 2,500 sq-m spa. One level is dedicated to the indoor/outdoor swimming pool, where users are cocooned amid the mountains. The weather during our stay went from snow to mist to sunshine, and every different day gave us a new magical experience.

Relaxation areas and the 10 treatment rooms are also on this level. The spa prioritises products infused with local flora and fauna with various skin and wellbeing benefits. I was lucky enough to try the signature massage which blended Swedish movements with acupressure for a totally relaxing experience.

On the level below, guests are treated to a number of different saunas that are set to varying temperatures. This level is swimming costume-free and also offers a large outdoor Jacuzzi next to a cold plunge pool, which I tried and failed to get into in the snow.

sauna infusion My Arbor wellness hotel
Be sure to join one of the sauna infusions for a sensory delight

One of the highlights for us were the Spa Infusion sessions. Hosted by sauna maestros, guests sit in a large sauna with a view that frames the mountains. Each session ranges in heat intensity from low to high.

On our first night, the only session left was the most intense, so we thought we’d give it a go, even though we had no idea what to expect. The sauna maestro explained in German, Italian, and English that the session would last for about 10 minutes and get up to 90 degrees, but we could leave at any time.

With that, he turned on some Germanic rock music, put snow balls on the fire and started spinning material in time with the beat to make the heat more extreme. There were fans, ice chips thrown, and sweat galore: it was so amazing! As newbies, we had to bow out just before it ended, but that didn’t stop us from going to about four other sessions during our stay. The lower intensity ones had more tranquil music and didn’t get quite as hot. They even had a selection of healthy snacks and drinks to enjoy al fresco post-infusion.

Dining

My Arbor wellness hotel restaurant
The stylish restaurant sets the scene for dinner

Decked out in white and black with wood accents, the restaurant serves both breakfast and dinner. The former is an abundant affair that caters to both those looking for a healthy, wellness experience and those on a more indulgent vacation. Fresh fruit, a selection of smoothies with healing properties, local and international cheeses, and freshly-made bread complement an a la carte menu of eggs and other classics.

The theme for dinner changes daily and we enjoyed both a South Tyrol and an Italian evening. Guests are treated to a buffet of delights from salads to fresh meats alongside a menu of changing starters, mains, and desserts. They even serve delicious palate cleansers between courses. There’s a full vegan menu and the cuisine we sampled was utterly exceptional. My favourite was on the Bella Italia evening when I had the most enchanting Spinach Soufflé with Mozarella.

An extensive wine list serves both local and international favourites, while the cocktail list prioritises local ingredients and flavours. I loved my Liquid Strudel and the range of mocktails was cleverly curated too.

Things to do

Whether you visit this exceptional property in the summer, spring, autumn, or winter, you won’t be short of things to do. Plose Ski Resort is right there for alpine or cross-country skiing, sledging, biking, hiking, and forest bathing are all on offer for wellness enthusiasts.

In-house wine tasting experiences showcase local varieties, and guests also receive a BrixenCard which gives you access to regional attractions like museums, mountain lifts, and cultural tours.

The verdict

The region is renowned for its hospitality and the team here have clearly been handpicked as the best of the best. Every single interaction that we had was positive and the staf anticipated our needs before we even thought about them.

My Arbor is a once-in-a-lifetime stay for architecture, wellness, and skiing enthusiasts. Its commitment to championing local produce and makers means it immerses guests in a unique part of Italy and the professional team makes life a walk in the park. I’ve been dreaming of our time here fondly since my return home.

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