Der Küglerhof: One Sense at a Time
The Küglerhof may be easy to describe — yet it is far more beautiful to experience the small boutique hotel above Merano in South Tyrol with all the senses.
And to draw attention to those subtle details that remain hidden unless we consciously pause to notice them. So what can we see, smell, taste, feel and hear here, in Karoline Dilitz’s retreat?
Seeing
Merano lies at your feet, the mountains rising beyond, the sky stretching above. There is no escaping the view. It takes your breath away and gently satisfies a longing for openness and space. And yet, it always reveals something new. Depending on the season, it appears soft, crisp or dramatic. At times grey or blue, then suddenly blush pink or bathed in gold.
What begins outside continues indoors. Generous windows, natural light and clean lines. Historic walls meet contemporary architecture. Inviting seating areas become islands of stillness — spaces for thought, conversation and quiet moments. Art and design objects tell their own stories.
The Küglerhof radiates calm and, at the same time, a sense of life. Warm, attentive staff moving softly through the rooms. Guests lingering on the terrace with a cappuccino, a daily newspaper in hand. Couples savouring the moment. Hikers setting off — and later returning, ready to pause, breathe, and simply be.
Smelling
If the Küglerhof were a perfume, it would carry the scents of mountain air, warm wood, and flowering meadows. Sunlight warms the timber, freshly cut grass fills the air. Notes of herbs and earth mingle with the dampness of autumn or the delicate blossoms of spring apples.
There is the comforting aroma of coffee and Küglerhof candles, of freshly laundered linens, and of freedom itself. From the kitchen come fragrances that balance Italian lightness with South Tyrolean heartiness: broths, herbs, butter. At times the air is sweet with pastry, at others savory with roasting meats.
Tasting
There is no signature dish here. Everything tastes like love. The homemade bread. The pasta. Simple dishes crafted from the finest ingredients. Warm, balanced, honest. In spring, flavors are fresh and herbaceous. Summer brings light, fruity, and sweet notes. In autumn, dishes feel heartier — roasted meats, dumplings, chestnuts, and apples. A South Tyrolean Pinot Noir is always the perfect companion. Every bite at the Küglerhof is a delight.
Feeling
In winter, the place feels quiet and cool, almost a little deserted. Then a deep calm sets in. With spring, and throughout summer and autumn, it gradually fills with life — open, light, lively, bustling, and sociable. Entirely natural. It invites you to walk barefoot over stones and through green grass, to feel the cool water on your skin as you glide into the pool — and that delicate tingle as you surface again.
It is also an invitation to be enveloped: by the soothing warmth of the sauna, by a comforting cup of coffee, by blankets on the terrace, and by the special atmosphere inside the house.
The sense of well-being among guests is palpable. Often, they express it directly, which is the highest compliment. They linger, they savor, and many return time and again. The connection often begins with a handshake at the welcome.
Hearing
At six in the morning, all is still. Birds chirp softly, a neighbor’s rooster crows. The first footsteps crunch on the gravel. In the distance, cowbells tinkle. Here and there, a splash in the pool. Cups clink. A bocce ball rolls with a muted thud across the lawn, strikes another, and then — silence.
Looking out over the valley, you can hear the guests breathe in — and exhale even more deeply. Inside, gentle music plays. Outside, nature has its own soundtrack.
As evening falls, the firewood in the fireplace cracks. Conversations grow softer, more intimate. And before sleep, a warm “Good night” or “Buona notte” lingers in the air.
Küglerhof is a member of Lifestylehotels
Fotocredits: Gerd Eder; Küglerhof
