Hotel and destination
I stayed in a Wellness Suite at Preidlhof Luxury DolceVita Resort, which is a good-size room with a massive bed and a lovely south-facing balcony with amazing mountain views. My balcony had an outdoor bed which can be made up so you can sleep outside! The room was well-equipped and comfortable and had everything you would expect from a luxury hotel. Little touches such as a sleep relaxation kit (you have to ask your maid or at reception to get it), noise cancelling headphones and large showers with mood lighting were appreciated. I have to point out that my room was in 'Dolce Vita' block, and these rooms are more modern. Guests can also stay in the accommodation block just above the spa, where rooms are more traditionally Italian in style (expect lots of wood, marble and beige).
The hotel is compact and well connected, nothing is too far to walk to and it's surrounded by mountains. Everywhere you look, the views will not disappoint.
Naturno town is within walking distance and has shops, cafes and restaurants, but be prepared to walk uphill coming back. This area is great for outdoor activities like hiking, trekking and cycling.
The food
If you are on a wellness programme, full board meals are included. Breakfast and dinner is served in a wellness restaurant, lunch is in the main restaurant.
Breakfast is a lovely buffet display including all breakfast must-have items plus a juicer and orange presser, so you can make your own healthy drinks. Lunch was buffet style again offering a range of cold salads, hot items and a live cooking station. Dinner is a six-course affair. You can choose between the gourmet or wellness healing menu. Menus are different every day. I opted for the wellness menu but was never able to finish all six courses! If this is too much food for you, you can ask for your portions to be halved in size. It's worth knowing that wine and alcohol is widely available.
Spa facilities
The spa facilities are extensive, and you can spend a whole day just exploring and trying all the different options. A lovely outdoor heated pool is at the heart of the hotel. There is also a heated infinity pool on the top floor of one of the buildings. The indoor thermal pool is very special as its water contains arsenic, which can help with various skin diseases, thyroid or central nervous system problems (but can only be used under medical staff guidance).
Now, for the Sauna Tower — a whole four floors dedicated to saunas! Here, you will also find the deep sea relaxation room, salt room, a corner with teas and light refreshments and various relaxation areas to unwind and soak up those views. I have to say that each relaxation room is very inviting and you might find yourself spending lots of time in there just chilling on a bed or a swing, admiring the views or reading a book. There is also a gym and functional training room.
Daily group activities are free of charge for all guests and everyone will find something regardless of your sport of choice — fitness, yoga, meditation — the schedule has it all. There is also a climbing wall if you wish to have a go!
My wellness journey
My spa schedule (which was ready in my room upon arrival) was packed with activities and I could not wait to try them!
I had a lovely facial as well as a movement class using ropes. I had a consultation with Preidlhof’s in-house doctor, Dr Med. Alexander Angerer, and had a heart rate variability measurement test. During the test I sat in a comfy chair for 20 minutes while hooked up to a machine. After 20 minutes, Dr Alexander printed my results and explained in detail his findings — which were pretty accurate! He recommended some supplements for me (available to purchase at the hotel). This test and consultation is included in some health programmes and is usually done on your second day. The results are shared with the spa team who will then prepare a schedule based on that.
Dr Alexander mixes various approaches — medical, Traditional Chinese Medicine and homeopathy, to treat guests with a 360-degree approach. I also had a shiatsu session with Andrea Martinelli. I knew this treatment in theory but had never tried it before. The session was a mix of gentle body movement and energy work. Andrea was able to identify my tension areas and we found the reason was related to recent traumatic experience during our chat post-treatment. A couple of days after the session I realised that the tension and pain in my upper back was gone!
I also tried the deep sea chamber — a special relaxation chamber with a session taking 15 minutes. It is hard to describe in detail, let's just say it is a mix of sound and light. For the first couple of minutes I was not sure what was happening or what I should expect but things gradually intensified and by the end of the session I found myself spread across a comfy beanbag, not moving, mind still and being completely mesmerised by the sound and light!
Overall
The health spa concept is very holistic and spiritual, and I would not hesitate in recommending this place to anyone who is going through some difficult times and needs a bit of a guidance, as well as those who have deep-rooted traumas and are ready to deal with them.
The staff at the spa are extremely helpful and the experts are top-notch. I recommend going with an open mind and an open heart and seeing what happens.
The hotel facilities are great and will allow you to relax and unwind in no time. Also, although it's a two-hour drive from the airport the scenic journey will make up for it!
The hotel is adults only and mainly used by couples, however I felt welcomed as a single female traveller and didn’t feel awkward during mealtimes. There were some other solo females and I managed to make a few connections. The food was great and tasty but I would not recommend it for anyone who wants to follow a strict diet or if the main reason for travelling is weight loss. You can opt for the wellness menu for your dinner but be ready for carbs and wine on display — at the end of the day, you are in Italy!
If Dominika’s experience at Preidlhof Luxury DolceVita Resort sparked your curiosity, click here to read more about the retreat and the programmes on offer (as well as exclusive benefits for Wellbeing Escapes guests).
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