Arrival at Lake Wolfsgruben
The Hotel Weihrerhof is located only a few kilometers from the mountain station of the cable car that connects Bolzano and Oberbozen. Surrounded by meadows and forests, it is primarily Lake Wolfsgruben right on the doorstep that defines and shapes life here. It is considered one of the cleanest bathing lakes in Italy. However, it is not only in summer that it is the center of the holiday for many guests. In spring, when nature awakens again, it invites visitors to take long walks and the first boat trips. In winter, the lake becomes a skating rink for young and old. And in autumn? Then the mystical mist that rises above it brings legends to life, all while radiating tranquillity.
A Glimpse Back through History
Perhaps it was this atmosphere that tempted Johann Pichler in 1962 to buy the Unterweihrerhof for his son and his wife so that they could fulfill their lifelong dream: to have their own hotel. Friedl and Cilli initially transformed the farm into a small guesthouse with the first three, then later eleven rooms; each with its own shower. Work was also done on the lake: The marsh was dredged, creating the breakfast island that is popular with non-hotel visitors today.
„At that time, people were still dancing. Often until the early hours of the morning,” Cilli recalls. „Today our guests appreciate the peace and quiet. Where the focus used to be on socializing, today new values have come to the fore. Having time. Having space. Being allowed to be. That is the new luxury,” she adds.
To be Allowed to Be and to Take Responsibility
After the birth of their son Klaus, the Pichlers expanded the hotel. Three years later, they devoted themselves entirely to their hotel guests and closed the public inn. Having time. Being allowed to be. Even though this was not the focus at first, the Pichler family slowly oriented their hotel towards it. At the turn of the millennium, they were the first hotel on the Ritten to open a wellness area, which is still the heart of the Weihrerhof today.
At the same time, they always kept an eye on nature and the environment. Preserving them for future generations has always been a priority. For twenty years, the hotelier family has refrained from fertilizing their own fields. The many hectares of forest are also untouched and left to the animals and plants. Photovoltaic systems can be found on most of the roofs and a combined heat and power plant provides warmth and electricity. Since 2022, the Weihrerhof has been GSTC-certified and thus meets the highest standards in tourism in both the environmental and social areas. Since this year, it has also been awarded the South Tyrol Sustainability Label (Level 3) and has been a member of Green Pearls® for more than a year.
In addition, the Pichlers are committed to the region and support start-ups from South Tyrol, for example, by including their products in the hotel shop. Fair treatment, cooperation, and the active involvement of their team are also important to them. For example, before purchasing the dry steam cleaners, the housekeeping team was consulted in the decision-making process.
Indulgence with a Clear Conscience
The connection to South Tyrol and especially to the high plateau of Ritten is also reflected in the breakfast buffet and the menu. Regional products, some from the immediate neighborhood, take center stage. The rest comes from all over South Tyrol, or at most from within Italy. The evening menu always offers a vegetarian option and vegetarians will also get their money’s worth at the breakfast buffet.
A special highlight: in summer guests can enjoy breakfast in the sunshine on the panorama terrace. In autumn and winter, the large panoramic windows in the restaurant offer an equally beautiful view of the lake.
Letting Go with a Lake View
Lake Wolfsgruben and its water are also the focus of SeaSpa. It is found in the hotel’s own natural cosmetics line – together with local herbs and extracts from hay and chestnuts.
The BergSea cosmetics are also used in the treatments developed especially for the Weihrerhof, with which guests can pamper themselves. The team responds to individual wishes, regardless of whether the treatment is relaxing, energizing or grounding.
In addition to massages and wellness treatments, several saunas, an indoor pool, various relaxation rooms and, of course, the boathouse sauna directly on the lake offer space for many relaxing hours. By the way, this is also available for day guests.
Drawing Strength from Special Places
Arrive, let go, recharge your batteries. This sums up the latest offer from the Pichler family for their guests. In cooperation with the geomancer Bernd Traber, the booklet „Places to Be” was created to introduce hotel guests to the magic of Power Places. At the same time, it invites guests to discover the energetically special places around the Weihrerhof, meditate there, and absorb new energy. Treatments that fit the respective orientation of the place are also suggested.
„Our wish for our guests is that they too will enjoy the landscape around the Weihrerhof for the duration of their stay – and yes, perhaps even beyond! – to not only experience the landscape around the Weihrerhof pragmatically but also personally and emotionally,” explain Manuela and Klaus Pichler.
