There are a series of buildings in the Italian Dolomites that look as though they’re a part of the natural landscape. As the jagged peaks rise and fall, so do the buildings’ moss-covered roofs, which are cleverly tucked into the hillside. It’s an effect that was thoroughly thought out by the team at Odles Lodge, a boutique hotel at the base of Mount Plose in the South Tyrol province of Italy.
“Built from local spruce and Swiss stone pine, the chalets reflect the character and attitude to life of South Tyrol’s original mountain huts,” Odles Lodge states on its website.
Every detail at this mountain property serves as a nod to its surroundings. There are just four, standalone chalets that can sleep two people each — all are set deep into the spruce forest and have interiors lined with untreated pine wood. To up the cozy, mountain vibes, each cabin is also outfitted with wood-burning stoves, outdoor terraces, as well as floor-to-ceiling windows that provide panoramic views of the Dolomites. The lodge’s water supply is sourced from a nearby natural spring, which feeds everything from the pool to the sauna and steam bath.
Courtesy of FORESTIS
The chalets at Odles Lodge are ideal for longer stays. Each has a dining area as well as a fully equipped kitchen that’s stocked with South Tyrolean specialties before you arrive — expect treats like homemade jams, juice, smoked ham, and fish as well as farm-fresh dairy products and eggs. If you’re interested in saving a few bucks, making a meal with the premium ingredients on hand is a perfectly suitable substitution for eating out. As if all of that wasn’t luxurious enough, breakfast is also delivered to your front door every day.
There’s plenty to do around Odles Lodge, especially in the winter, when the forests are particularly tranquil. The lodge is about 6,500 feet above sea level and less than five miles from the Plose ski area, where you can snowshoe, cross-country ski, hike, snowboard, or (of course) ski.
Courtesy of FORESTIS
If you want a place to relax after your snowy excursion, or if skiing or snowboarding is simply not your thing, head to the spa at Forestis (the Odles’ sibling property), which is about a mile south of the chalets. The spa at Forestis is expansive, and has an indoor-outdoor pool, a sauna, multiple silence rooms, and a space devoted to wyda, the “yoga of the Celts.” There are several unique treatments on offer such as forest salt and steam baths as well as a tree circle ceremony, which is intended to release tension and promote good health. After your spa session, head to the on-site restaurant to feast upon a meal made with local fare and enjoy views of the Dolomites through its picture windows.
Rates for Odles Lodge during the winter season start at 500 Euros (around $523) per night for a two-person cabin.
