Amonti Chalets - Exclusive First Review
Having reviewed many of South Tyrol’s most exceptional retreats over the past years, I like to think I have a fairly good understanding of the region’s evolving hospitality landscape. Yet every now and then, something entirely new appears — something with the potential to shift the standard, elevate expectations, and redefine what a luxury wellness escape in the Alps can be. That is precisely what happened this spring, when a name I had never encountered before crossed my desk: Amonti Chalets. The property immediately piqued my interest. Owned by the Steger family, a name already synonymous with excellent hospitality in the Ahrn Valley thanks to their two established five-star hotels, Amonti and Lunaris. But this time, the concept was entirely different: an ultra-private, design-driven chalet resort catering to affluent travellers who crave exclusivity, serenity, and the comfort of a fully serviced villa — with the advantages of a traditional luxury hotel. From the first moment I read about it, Amonti Chalets positioned itself on my list of “must-visit hotels.”
It was a crisp, fog-laced Friday morning in Munich when a friend and I decided we needed one last wellness escape before winter set in. South Tyrol, with its dramatic mountain silhouettes, glowing autumn forests, and effortlessly warm hospitality, felt like the perfect choice. As we drove southward, grey skies gradually dissolved into sunshine. Crossing the Alps was smooth and nearly traffic-free — already a rarity — and once we slipped into Italy, the atmosphere transformed completely. About half an hour past the border, we exited the highway and entered the Puster Valley, a route I have taken more times than I can count. Yet, as we drove deeper into the Ahrn Valley, a final turn brought us into a side valley that even I — someone who has explored nearly every corner of South Tyrol — had never heard of. Minutes later, perched elegantly above the hillside, we saw the first glimpse of Amonti Chalets, its dark exterior and modern architectural lines creating an instant sense of intrigue. Turning into the driveway, we were greeted not by a typical hotel entrance, but by a dramatic and beautifully engineered automated gate. With minimal signage and maximum style, it opened slowly to reveal what felt less like a resort and more like the entrance to an ultra-exclusive private estate. The gate closed behind us, and we descended directly into an immaculate underground garage — a statement on its own.
The garage, often a neglected space in hotels, was designed with the same precision and aesthetic intention as the rest of the property. Soft lighting, clean architectural lines, and neatly arranged spaces created an unexpectedly luxurious welcome. Every single parking spot offered complimentary electric charging, underscoring the resort’s forward-thinking philosophy. Despite the polished environment, there was no staff in the garage — an intentional decision, I later realised, in keeping with the concept of privacy, exclusivity, and seamless independence. Clear signage guided us effortlessly to the elevators, and within seconds we had arrived in the lobby two floors above. The elevator doors opened, and we stepped into a beautifully warm, intimate lounge, where we were immediately greeted by Mirela, our host for the stay. Her welcome felt personal, genuine, and completely unhurried. Instead of a traditional check-in counter, she led us straight to the lounge area where soft bouclé armchairs were arranged around a quietly crackling fireplace. As someone who loves grand arrivals with fireplaces — especially in alpine properties — this moment set the tone for what would become an extraordinary stay. We were offered a glass of velvety South Tyrolean red wine and settled into the cosy seating while Mirela joined us for an informal conversation. She explained the family’s history, the vision behind Amonti Chalets, and the essential details regarding breakfast, dinner, and spa facilities. Only after finishing the wine did it occur to me that this intimate introduction had been our check-in. I cannot remember the last time check-in at a luxury hotel felt so effortlessly pleasant — so far removed from the administrative chore it often becomes.
Amonti Chalets consists of 23 individual chalets and villas, most of which include two bedrooms — an ideal setup for families, couples traveling together, or small groups of friends. We were assigned a Premium Villa, conveniently located closest to the main building and spa house. The property opened in spring 2025, meaning everything — from architecture to furnishings to technology — was brand new, thoughtfully curated, and meticulously executed. Modernity at Amonti does not feel cold; it feels organic, refined, and incredibly comfortable. Our villa spanned 140 square meters across two floors, with sweeping views over the forested valley and jagged peaks. The ground floor housed the living and dining area — a space that felt both sophisticated and deeply comfortable, with a designer sofa, a cosy reading corner, a large television, and a dining table suitable for five. The understated colour palette of soft greys, deep greens, and natural woods fostered a sense of serenity without compromising on luxury. Tucked beside the staircase, we found a compact yet fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher, an automatic espresso machine capable of producing cappuccinos and lattes, a sink and a full refrigerator (with two complimentary water bottles and an apple juice). I was genuinely impressed by the coffee machine — easily the most professional in-room machine I have encountered in a hotel.
A guest toilet, a second shower, and our private sauna rounded out the ground floor. The sauna overlooked the terrace, which featured a double sunbed and an elegant outdoor hot tub with jacuzzi function. Watching steam rise against the cool November air while gazing at the surrounding forests felt like the essence of alpine luxury. But the true centrepiece of the villa was the fireplace — an ultra-modern gas unit activated with a single button, accompanied by subtle background audio simulating natural crackling. While not a traditional wood-burning fire, it offered the same aesthetic and emotional warmth without any of the hassle. We sat around it for hours each evening, wrapped in blankets, unwinding in total privacy. Upstairs, the layout featured: a spacious main bathroom with double vanities, a make-up table, a walk-in shower and a separate toilet with bidet. There are two identical bedrooms, each with a king-size bed, large windows, and direct balcony access. In keeping with the resort’s privacy-focused concept, there is no evening turndown service—something we appreciated, as both nights we spent cozy hours by the fire, alternating between private sauna sessions and the calming warmth of the outdoor hot tub. Housekeeping does, however, fully service the villa while guests are at breakfast, refreshing bathrooms, replacing towels, and making the beds—a thoughtful detail, especially for longer stays. As expected from a brand-new property, the beds were exceptionally comfortable, linens crisp and soft, towels plush, and the entire villa carried that unmistakable fresh scent only new buildings have. Amenities in the bathroom were limited but of high quality; upon requesting a toothbrush, one was delivered to the villa within three minutes. All products were Amonti-branded but supplied by Team Dr Joseph, a respected South Tyrolean beauty label known for its herbal fragrances.
All bookings at Amonti Chalets include half board, comprising breakfast, afternoon cake service, and a five-course dinner at Restaurant Johanns. Breakfast is served from 7:30 to 10:30, but the team’s flexibility made it feel more generous. On Sunday morning, we arrived at 10:15 expecting a slightly awkward end-of-service situation. Instead, not only were we unhurried, but the buffet remained open until nearly 10:45, with staff proactively asking if we wanted anything replenished. The buffet itself was sizable considering the limited number of chalets — fresh breads, pastries, cold cuts, cheeses, smoked fish, local yogurts, a colourful selection of fruits, and several regional specialties. Though ordering Eggs Benedict has almost become our personal litmus test for measuring a hotel’s breakfast caliber, at Amonti we opted for the complimentary à-la-carte options such as airy scrambled eggs with herbs and bacon, and waffles with fresh berries. Everything was beautifully plated, on par with dinner dishes and esthetics of the overall concept. A detail I especially appreciated: guests keep the same table throughout their stay for both breakfast and dinner, eliminating any need to “claim” a good spot and ensuring a sense of familiarity and routine.
Dinner at Johanns is decidedly more formal than breakfast, with guests naturally dressing up—after all, this is Italy, where dinner remains a cherished ritual. Andrea introduced us to the daily changing menu, served as a five-course journey with three choices for starters and two mains. If none of the daily options suits your taste, five classics—including Wiener Schnitzel and Schlutzkrapfen filled with local cheese and drizzled in nut butter—are permanently available and included in the half board. Portions follow a refined, fine-dining aesthetic, so we appreciated that the staff offered us the possibility of expanding our menu. Thanks to their flexibility, we enjoyed a full seven-course experience as part of the regular half-board arrangement. I absolutely loved how effortless these special requests were handled.
During our stay, I also learned about a more elevated Fine Dining option available Thursday through Sunday for a supplemental charge. However, with no menu displayed and considering how impressive the half-board offering already was—especially with the possibility of additional courses—I personally would not feel compelled to upgrade. After dinner, guests tend to gather in the lobby bar, settling into armchairs by the fireplace with a glass of Barolo or a cocktail, savoring the tranquility of yet another beautifully serene day.
Aside from the bar and restaurant, the only place you might encounter fellow guests is the Spa House. Spread across three floors and featuring as many loungers as there are guests on the entire property, it is essentially a “maximum privacy wellness area.” Despite the resort being nearly fully booked during our mid-November stay, we often found ourselves alone—especially in the panoramic relaxation room next to the Finnish sauna and steam room on the second floor. The ground floor houses the spa reception, treatment rooms, and the most spacious lockers I have ever seen in a hotel spa. One floor up is the wet area, featuring a perfectly heated indoor pool that extends into a warm infinity outdoor pool overlooking the austere Austrian Alps. Inside, the pièce de résistance is the dramatic fireplace positioned before the indoor pool, surrounded by oversized daybeds and intimately designed corners perfect for switching off completely. An additional relaxation lounge with mirrored walls enhances the sense of infinite space. Throughout the spa, guests are offered complimentary teas, soft drinks, infused water, apples, and small snacks. Treatments were reasonably priced, and even during peak weekend hours, last-minute appointments were still available.
For such a small property—just 23 chalets—you can see how much there is to discover. Amonti Chalets is, without question, one of the most captivating hotels I’ve visited in recent years. Several moments stood out in particular. When we arrived shortly after cake hour had ended, Mirela proactively offered us slices of cakes anyway, insisting we should not miss it. Another wonderful surprise came at checkout: after settling our bill, Mirela told us we were welcome to use the Spa House and pools for the entire departure day at no extra charge. On another occasion, we ordered two beers to our chalet. F&B Manager Hannes arrived personally—with no room-service charge—and brought an assortment of snacks without us even asking. This is genuine five-star service: thoughtful, anticipatory, intuitive. It felt as though the staff consistently understood what we needed before we voiced it. Their professionalism rivals—and occasionally surpasses—that of some of the most prestigious hotel groups worldwide. We never felt the need to ask for anything because everything was already offered.
Combined with the impeccable interior design and the almost spiritual sense of calm throughout the resort, Amonti Chalets stands firmly as one of the best hotels I have ever stayed at—and unquestionably my new favorite property in South Tyrol. Worth the money? Absolutely. Without a single doubt.
