Vigilius Mountain Resort

The Vigilius turns off the WiFi at 11pm every night, without fail, so you can really relax, unwind, and unplug. Also in the restaurant try the delicious smoked potatoes and herbs, a real local treat from the region. Oh and look out for the intriguing and original work of Japanese artist Hideki Iinuma dotted around the hotel.

As the cable car whisks you up and away from the lush green foothills of Lana, you just know you are in for a treat. What awaits you at the top is a masterpiece in tranquil eco-luxury. Every part of the Vigilius experience is designed for you to relax, unwind, and leave your troubles behind. Don’t fight it, just let it happen. 

As you hop off the cable car, you cannot help but take in the Vigilius’ stunning location, 1500 metres up, with uninterrupted views of the Dolomites, sky, sunshine, clouds, and trees making up the colour-filled high-definition backdrop of your new temporary home. As you walk from the cable car to the hotel entrance, the Vigilius Mountain Resort emerges from its natural backdrop, a beautiful tree-house-insired structure built from just 4 materials – untreated wood, clay, stone, and glass – to match its natural surroundings outside and in. As you enter the lobby, the warm staff instantly put you at ease, reminding you that, yes, it is ok to relax, and yes, this place specialises in it. 

Moving from the lobby through the hotel, you notice one thing above all – space. The Vigilius’ rectangular design has infinite lines of sight, with sky-lights and floor-to-ceiling windows to the mountain views beyond. The brightness and lightness is accentuated by pale stone colours and white walls, complimented by deep rich reds in the furniture and carpets that bring warmth and life to the shared spaces. This sense of natural space, lightness, and warmth runs seemlessly into every part of the hotel design and guest experience: from the giant slate feature wall and rainshower in your cosy beroom, to the beautful spa with its indoor/outdoor infinity pool and suana spaces that are perfect for relaxing after a day of walking in the stunning Dolomites. 

As you float out of the spa in search of more bodily nourishment, the Vigilius’ team of chefs and attentive but unobtrusive staff are way ahead of you. The breakfast buffet at Restaurant 1500 gives you all the savoury and sweet treats that you could need for a wholesome day ahead. For lunch and dinner, the Stube and Restaurant 1500’s gourmet kitchens serve fresh, seasonal, delicious food using natural, local, and seasonal ingredients, which you can enjoy in Stube’s charming wooden cabin setting, or Restaurant 1500’s wood and glass treehouse with spectacular views. 

After dinner, you can retire to the spacious lounge to sip herbal teas and recline on comfy sofás by the open fire, or to the library space to watch a classic film on the big screen. And when you feel like your eyes are heavy and your body is tired, you can breeze through the hallways to your private sanctuary, ready to wake up to the mountain views and fresh air, and do it all again. 

And when it’s time to leave your sanctuary, you might be so relaxed (or reluctant) that you leave your passport at reception, so that you can’t leave, or so that you have to return. I know I did.