In this interview, the Alber family, who run the hotel, explain why nature is the hotel’s most important feature, why authenticity remains more important than trends, and how small moments can create lasting memories.
The MIRAMONTI Boutique Hotel is now among the ‘101 best hotels’. What does this award mean to you personally – beyond marketing and prestige?
We are delighted to receive this recognition. But far more important than the award itself is the confirmation that our approach is understood. We have never tried to chase trends or build a hotel for the sake of rankings. Our aim has always been to create a place where people feel at ease, can find peace and are happy to return. When an international jury recognises this, we see it above all as a tribute to our team and to many years of consistent hard work. It shows us that authenticity, quality and a clear philosophy hold their value in the long term.
Many luxury hotels focus on scale and opulence. The Miramonti, by contrast, has a deliberately understated and intimate feel. Was that a conviction from the outset, or did it also represent a risk?
It was both.
Our belief has always been: if the view is so beautiful, the interior doesn’t need to be flashy. If nature is so present, there’s no need for theatrics. We wanted to create spaces that open up the view rather than distract from it.
Of course, that was a risk. But today we see that many guests are looking for precisely that: tranquillity, authenticity and places that give them space rather than trying to impress them.
The landscape around Hafling plays a major role in the hotel experience. How do you translate nature into hospitality without it becoming mere scenery?
By respecting nature and not trying to copy it. For us, this begins with the architecture and ends with the experiences we offer our guests. The landscape isn’t something you look at, but something you experience. Guests can head straight from the hotel into the forest, up into the mountains, into the tranquillity. Whether at the Forest Breakfast, on a hike through the larch forests or whilst relaxing in the onsen (note: iconic pool) with a view of the mountains, nature becomes part of the day. We don’t try to stage nature artificially. Rather, we create spaces and moments that strengthen the connection to the surroundings. Nature is the star of the show here.
Boutique hotels thrive on personality. How much of yourselves is still involved in day-to-day operations today, and where have you had to learn to let go?
A lot.
The MIRAMONTI Boutique Hotel bears our signature in almost every area. We still make many decisions ourselves, whether it’s design matters, new projects or the hotel’s ongoing development.
At the same time, we’ve learnt to share responsibility. A hotel of this size can only function today if people are allowed to take on responsibility. For us, letting go doesn’t mean being less involved, but rather placing our trust in others and giving people the opportunity to continue building this place together with us.
Sustainability has now become a must-have term in the hospitality industry. Which decisions were initially difficult for you from a business perspective, but proved to be the right ones in the long run?
We make a conscious effort to work with local tradespeople and businesses. This sometimes requires more effort, but it ensures quality, accountability and long-term relationships.
Looking back, these were the right decisions. They strengthen the quality, independence and, ultimately, the credibility of a hotel.
Guests rarely remember square metre figures, but they often recall little moments. Is there an encounter or anecdote that particularly well captures the spirit of the MIRAMONTI Boutique Hotel for you?
There are many moments like this.
It is particularly touching when guests return after many years and say that they still remember a particular sunrise, a Forest Breakfast, a conversation by the fireside or a glass of wine in the Tea Room.
For us, this shows that hospitality isn’t about grand gestures. Often, it’s the small, genuine encounters and experiences that stay with you. For us, that is precisely what embodies the spirit of the Miramonti.
South Tyrol combines Alpine tradition with international standards. How is this tension reflected in your hotel’s cuisine, design and service?
We see this less as a tension and more as a great opportunity.
South Tyrol is shaped by diverse cultures, languages and influences. At the same time, there is a strong connection here to craftsmanship, nature and tradition.
At the MIRAMONTI Boutique Hotel, we don’t try to stage tradition. We’re interested in the people, the materials and the stories of this region. This is what gives rise to our cuisine, our architecture and also our way of being hosts.
Many of our guests come from all over the world. But ultimately, this is precisely what they appreciate: a place that is authentic and has a genuine connection to its surroundings.
The luxury travel market is changing: guests are seeking less in the way of status symbols and more in the way of meaning and tranquillity. Do you notice this shift specifically in your guests’ expectations?
Absolutely.
A few years ago, the focus was more on facilities and visible luxury. Today, guests are more likely to ask for nature experiences, sustainability, health and opportunities to truly switch off.
Experiences such as forest bathing, a hike starting directly from the hotel, time in the onsen pool, an afternoon by the infinity pool or a wine tasting in the cellar are often valued more than traditional luxury offerings.
The desire for tranquillity, quality and authenticity has grown significantly. Many people today are no longer looking for the most spectacular location, but rather the place where they feel most at ease.
If you were to reopen the MIRAMONTI Boutique Hotel today, which ideas would you implement straight away, and which would you probably leave out?
We would once again focus on the combination of architecture, nature and hospitality. That remains the foundation of our hotel to this day.
What we might do differently today is less about the idea itself and more about the pace. We’d take a slower approach to some developments and allow even more time for things to grow organically.
What would you like a guest to be thinking when they look out of the window on their final morning before leaving?
We hope that they don’t just think of the hotel.
But rather of the scent of the larch trees, a special moment in the spa, a walk through the woods, a good glass of wine, or the people they met here.
If a guest feels they’ve recharged their batteries and heads home with lovely memories, then we’ve achieved our goal.
And perhaps they’re already thinking about coming back.
MIRAMONTI Boutique Hotel