SAN GENESIO Hotel Belvedere - Fine Dining & SPA *****

Rising above it all. Where architecture meets atmosphere.

Like an innkeeper and a doctor shaped a mountain together, giving life to a refuge of quiet elegance.

There are places where time seems to move more slowly. One of them lies high above Bolzano, on a sun-kissed porphyry rock: Hotel Belvedere. As early as 2017, Süddeutsche Magazin told the special story of this house and of the Munich doctor who fell in love with the local innkeeper. Together they decided to stay and began transforming the mountain itself.

Since then, the Belvedere has been reimagined step by step, with sensitivity, vision and artisanal precision. Over three major construction phases, Renate Winkler and Hans Leonhardy have transformed the historic building into a five-star hideaway now regarded as an emblem of relaxed luxury. One thing, however, has remained unchanged: a deep respect for the place and its history.

The rock on which the Belvedere rests has not only been its structural foundation, but has become an integral part of the concept. The porphyry was split, ground and mixed into the concrete; in this sense, the hotel has literally grown out of the mountain. This close bond with nature still defines the identity of the house today: clear, light and harmoniously embedded in the landscape.

In spring 2025, the latest renovation phase was completed. The historic main building and the wellness area were completely redesigned. Once again, trusted South Tyrolean craft companies and long-standing partners were involved, many of whom had already accompanied earlier phases. Thanks to their experience and precision, the works were completed not only on schedule, but also to the familiar Belvedere standard of quality.

The result is a symbiosis of traditional structure and contemporary architecture. Clean lines, abundant light and natural materials such as oak, walnut and stone define the new architectural language. Dark, fragmented structures have given way to a bright, open spatial layout, reduced to the essential yet rich in warmth.

The new architecture is particularly expressive in its play with levels. Terraces, gardens and water features offer both retreat and openness towards the panorama. The infinity pool, the natural swimming pond and the whirlpool are no longer merely leisure spaces, but integral elements of the architectural narrative, extending the gaze until sky and landscape seem to merge.

The interiors follow the same philosophy. Rooms and suites tell a story of dialogue between alpine authenticity and timeless elegance. Instead of excessive decoration, it is proportions, the orchestration of light and the choice of materials that shape the atmosphere.

The new Belvedere thus demonstrates that architecture and atmosphere are not opposites. It is a place that unites tradition and modernity, precision and sensitivity, and quietly yet powerfully shows what can emerge when people build a dream together with passion and respect.

The culinary heart of the house is Frieda’s Fine Dining, dedicated to the family’s grandmother, who purchased the property in the 1950s and laid the foundations for today’s atmosphere. Here, the cuisine reflects what endures: South Tyrol and Italy reinterpreted in a contemporary way, with focus on the product and clarity, without superfluous ornamentation. Herbs from the garden, vegetables from nearby farms, precision instead of spectacle. Guests choose à la carte or from a finely composed tasting menu, accompanied by a wine list that brings together South Tyrolean labels, Italian icons and new discoveries. Few tables, personal service, time for details. Frieda’s is deliberately small, authentic and close to its guests.

A hideaway for couples and individualists with a sense for the essential: calm, reduced, pleasantly simple, with a quiet elegance that needs no display and leaves a lasting echo. And always the same position: one step onto the terrace, a panoramic view, a deep horizon, and the reassuring certainty of being exactly in the right place.