FORESTIS, the five-star luxury mountain retreat, has announced the completion of a new wine cellar, garden restaurant, and spa treatment rooms following an extensive renovation. Located on the southern slope of the Plose mountain, 1800 metres above sea level, FORESTIS is also introducing new experiences, from wine tastings to cooking classes, which we will look at in more detail below.

The Garden Restaurant
Surrounded by meadows and mountain plants against the backdrop of the Dolomites, the new Garden Restaurant, which includes a show kitchen, will bring the lightness and Gioia di vivere (joy of life) of the Mediterranean lifestyle closer to its guests.

The restaurant will have a constantly changing all-day menu based on the availability of fresh seasonal produce from the region. Herbs, vegetables and forest ingredients from the hotel’s kitchen garden, as well as mushrooms, roots, sprouts and bark from the neighbouring forest, will be foraged by kitchen staff and used in the dishes.

The Wine Cellar
Located between the bar and the garden restaurant, the new wine cellar can be reached by descending a few steps right into the vault’s centre. Inside, guests can participate in wine tasting at a large rectangular wooden table with room for ten people, and private dining experiences are also available. The wine cellar will be home to many delicious local, national and international wines.

The Terrace
The terrace in front of the main restaurant has also been redesigned with a curved layout and a newly redesigned garden. Guests can enjoy breakfast on the expanded terrace while basking in the mountain sun and sipping their morning coffee.

The Spa
The new spa suites have been equipped with two treatment beds, a large round bathtub, a relaxation area, a steam bath, a shower and a back office. The suites vary in size between 34 and 38 sqm. The spa has also added new treatments to its menu, expanding on its year-round wellness programme inspired by Celtic traditions and their natural doctrine. The new additions include:

  • A healing wood massage using intuitively selected wooden sticks.
  • A vital field massage, which strengthens the body’s energy with gentle movements.
  • A mental field massage, calming the mind with a focus on the face and neck.

All FORESTIS treatments are based on the principle of the four trees, the four healing woods, the four healing stones, and the four tree frequencies. Other treatments include combinations of aromatherapy and tree frequencies, energy flow massages, and mountain pine body scrubs. Inspired by the Celtic Druids, FORESTIS also offers Wyda, the movement theory of the Celtic Druids, which helps you achieve harmony and contentment through mindfulness.

Experiences

Cooking Classes
At the end of the Garden restaurant, guests can find the show kitchen. The show kitchen will hold various cooking classes: Pasta Cooking Class, Bread Baking Class, Traditional South Tyrolean Cooking Class, Pastry and Sweets Class and FORESTIS Cuisine Class. Each class will take place on a different day of the week, allowing guests to experience multiple sessions during their stay.

Wine Tasting
The South Tyrol region is one of the world’s oldest wine-growing areas. At FORESTIS, a weekly tasting can be held in the hotel’s new wine cellar or on the terrace. The hotel’s in-house sommelier will accompany the tasting and provide insights into the winemaking process, including grape varieties, regions of origin and terroirs, production, and storage in the winery.

Herbal Farm Experience
The Dolomites, with their abundant sunshine, clear mountain air, and pure water, foster the growth of various medicinal and aromatic herbs that have shaped local folk medicine and cuisine. Now, FORESTIS guests can visit a local herb farm, Schmiedthof, in St. Leonhard, where herbs are harvested by hand.

Just a half-hour journey from the hotel, guests can experience the farm’s seasonal rhythms, from moonlit harvests to herb tastings and engage in hands-on activities like making herb butter. Laurenz, a young herb expert, will be on hand to share his knowledge and offer a glimpse into life on a mountain farm.

FORESTIS features 62 luxury suites with panoramic views of the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites. The CO2-neutral FORESTIS building uses 100% renewable energy, produced by its plant and wood heating system, while the exteriors and interiors are created using local South Tyrolean suppliers and eco-friendly materials.

FORESTIS will also soon announce the launch of its new FORESTIS Villa, which can be booked from December 2024. More information will be shared soon.

Pricing:

  • FORESTIS lead-in rate: start from 800 euros per night (approx. £676), incl. breakfast
  • Dinner: 125 euros (approx. £105) per person
  • Spa treatments: start from 140 euros (approx. £118) for 50 min
  • Cooking classes: start from 145 euros (approx. £124) for 2 hours
  • Wine tastings: start from 125 euros (approx. £107) for 90 min
  • Visit a local herb farm: start from 165 euros (approx. £141) for 3 hours

Getting There
The nearest airports are Bolzano and Innsbruck (direct flights from London to Bolzano with SkyAlps on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with additional flights on Mondays from December 2024). The nearest train station is Bolzano, approximately 58km from the resort.

For more information, please visit https://www.forestis.it.