My Arbor – Plose Wellness Hotel is an adults-only hotel nestled in the South Tyrolean mountains, high above Bressanone/Brixen in Northern Italy.
Standing on stilts, this eye-catching tree hotel overlooks the Eisacktal Valley and the Sarntal Alps. It’s a one-of-a-kind property that offers a relaxing retreat on the forested slopes of Plose.
Combining timeless elegance with rustic accents, My Arbor – Plose Wellness Hotel delivers a 5-star experience on every level: visual, culinary, wellness, etc.
You’ll find that there’s little reason to leave this impressive tree-inspired hotel, but if you do, the Plose ski area is at your doorstep.
We’re still dreaming about our stay in My Arbor. We relished the rich breakfast buffet and gourmet dinner (half board), the adults-only atmosphere, the wellness facilities, and the sweeping views of the surrounding mountains.
We highly recommend staying at My Arbor before, or after a summer, autumn, or winter trip to the Dolomites.
- Where: San Leonardo, Brixen, South Tyrol, Italy
- Number of Rooms: 104 Suites
- Dining: We recommend booking half board (breakfast and dinner)
- Hotel Facilities: 2,500 m² wellness area (pools, saunas, fitness room), restaurant, and cocktail bar.
- Room Amenities: Balcony, Nespresso machine and electric tea kettle, flatscreen TV, and safe.
- Hotel Perks: Brixen Card, guided excursions, exercise classes, and concierge service.
- Parking: Free underground parking
- Kids: This is an adults-only hotel (ages 16+).
- Dogs: Dogs are allowed in certain suites for an extra charge.
- Closest Airports: Bolzano Airport (BZO) and Innsbruck Airport (INN).
- Where to Book: Booking.com
The Location
My Arbor is a mountainside hotel that’s situated on the western slopes of Plose, a massif in the Lüsner Mountains of South Tyrol.
Plose flanks Valle di Eores/Aferer Tal valley to the north, and thus stands opposite the Odle/Geisler Group of the Dolomites.
Set at an elevation of 1070 meters, the property overlooks the Eisacktal Valley, backed by the Sarntal Alps.
From My Arbor, you can access the Plose ski area via the nearby Plosebahn gondola (aka Kabinenbahn St. Andrä-Kreuztal). A new ski trail connects My Arbor with the Plosebahn gondola valley station.
In summer, Plose is a popular destination for mountain biking as well as hiking. My Arbor offers a complimentary program of activities, which include guided hikes in Plose as well as Puez-Odle Nature Park in the Dolomites (UNESCO World Heritage Site).
Keep in mind that most nearby Dolomites trailheads and attractions are a good 45-minute-drive away. However, you can certainly enjoy panoramic views of the Dolomites from the top of Plose and its various summits.
My Arbor is a 16-minute drive away from Brixen, a 38-minute drive away from Santa Maddalena in Val di Funes, a 40-minute drive away from Passo delle Erbe (Sass de Putia trail), and a 48-minute drive away from Ortisei in Val Gardena.
Check-in
The check-in process was impeccable.
As soon as we entered My Arbor – Plose Wellness Hotel, we were wowed by the lobby, a cavernous space enhanced by massive tree trunks hanging from the ceiling. The lobby flows into a stylish lounge and cocktail bar, which in turn spills out into the balcony terrace.
The hotel reception, a polished tree trunk, is staffed with a highly professional team. We were treated to a welcome drink on the terrace whilst the front desk registered our passport details (required by law in Italy). The welcome drink menu features spritzers, espresso drinks, and more.
Our bags were brought up to our rooms and our car was parked in the garage for us. From the moment we stepped into the hotel, we felt very much taken care of.
After our welcome drink, the front desk manager gave us an overview of the hotel and explained the sauna/spa code of conduct (more on that later). She ended the introduction by personally showing us our room.
The Rooms at My Arbor
There are three different room categories in My Arbor: (1) 38 m² Nest Suite (aka Junior Suite), (2) 46 m² Hangout Suite (aka Superior Suite), and (3) 100 m² Treetop Suite.
All rooms at My Arbor – Plose Wellness Hotel face west (or southwest), overlooking the Eisacktal valley and the Sarntal Alps. That means that no matter where you stay in the hotel, you’ll enjoy the same (or similar) panoramic view of the Eisack valley and surrounding mountains from your room and your balcony. There are no suites with better views.
Additionally, due to the hotel’s impressive architectural structure, the suites are located at the same height of the surrounding tree canopy.
Featuring natural materials and dressed in a soothing palette of grays, browns, and whites, the My Arbor rooms are designed to feel woodsy, yet elegant. Parquet floors and wood paneling compliment the white and gray fabrics of the bed, curtains, and reading nook.
We stayed in the Nest Suite (Junior Suite). Though it’s the smallest suite at My Arbor, it’s very spacious and liveable. The layout is perfect. The room features floor-to ceiling windows, a luxury box spring bed, a cozy daybed by the window, ample closet space, a walk-in shower with a rain shower, separate toilet/bidet, large wash basin area, and desk (or makeup) area with stool.
All rooms are equipped with a Nespresso machine, electric tea kettle with tea bag selection, hair dryer, flat screen TV, safe, and Vitals Dr. Joseph cosmetics.
Set against the window, the large daybed is a winning feature. It’s immeasurably satisfying to read in the nook whilst drinking a Nespresso, especially in the late afternoon, when the sinking sun drenches the space in warm light.
In the room, there are also spa bags filled with bathrobes and slippers.
My Arbor Wellness Area: Spa Arboris
My Arbor’s wellness area measures 2,500 m² and spans 2 floors. The spa comprises a large indoor-outdoor swimming pool, 5 different saunas, an outdoor whirlpool and cold plunge pool, multiple relaxation areas, 10 cuddle nests, and a fitness room.
There’s also a tea bar with teas, juices, and water.
The facilities are first-rate and the spa area is immaculate.
Because of the vastness of the space, it never feels cramped.
On any given day, there are 4+ scheduled sauna infusions. Kati, well-versed in sauna and Therme culture, said that the infusion at My Arbor was unparalleled.
The sauna area is a gender-neutral, textile-free space. The hotel policy reflects the sauna culture of the region. Bathing suits are prohibited for hygienic reasons.
If you don’t want to be naked in a sauna, simply wrap a towel around your body. That’s always allowed.
Good to Know | You can reserve 2-hour slots in the cuddle nests in advance. Simply book your preferred time at the front desk.
Treatments | My Arbor offers a variety of spa treatments including massages, facials, foot care, and Ayurvedic treatments.
Dining at My Arbor – Plose Wellness Hotel
We recommend booking half board (breakfast and dinner).
Lunch is also available in the hotel (extra charge).
My Arbor accommodates gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan diets.
Breakfast
The breakfast at My Arbor is fit for queens; it’s a decadent affair that leaves absolutely nothing to be desired.
The breakfast buffet is a lavish spread of fresh fruit, yogurt and muesli, juices and smoothies, cold cuts and cheeses, homemade spreads (try the cashew tomato spread) and jams, croissants, pastries, breads, and so much more.
The buffet is supplemented with an à la carte breakfast menu, which includes made-to-order egg dishes, toasts, and daily specials (e.g. poached egg with chili on toast, caramel pancake with banana, waffles).
Coffee and tea is served to the table.
You can sit anywhere you’d like in the dining area, or outside on the terrace (warmer months only). If possible, secure a table by the window for the best views and the most privacy.
Dinner
Unlike breakfast, seating is assigned at dinner. The dining atmosphere is fine. The unstated dress code is “smart casual,” or even “elegant casual.”
Dinner starts with an extensive salad buffet followed by five courses. There are 2-3 options for each course. You can also switch out the daily menu courses with the My Arbor Classics, which are everyone’s favorite South Tyrolean dishes (e.g. Kaspressknödelsuppe).
Dinner menus are available in English, German, and Italian. Should you need a different language menu, simply ask.
The cuisine is superb.
Sample Menu
Course 1: Starter
- Filo pastry tartelette, variation of mushrooms, duck bacon
- Zucchini cream soup, deep fried parmesan pearl
Course 2: First Course
- Risotto Vialone nano, basil, octopus, eggplant
- Farfalloni, lemon pesto, pine nuts, oven baked ricotta
Course 3: Palate Cleanser
- Nectarine sorbet
Course 4: Second Course
- Onsen egg, creamy spinach, pomegranate, potato straw
- Steamed egg, peas, saffron, fennel tortelli
- Roasted beef filet, chanterelle cannolo, truffle espuma
Course 5: Dessert
- Semolina pudding, mango sorbet, macadamia
- Vanilla coffee cake, chocolate ice cream, orange
- Alpine cheese selection from the buffet
My Arbor Hotel Bar
The hotel bar shares the same space as the lobby and front desk. Guests can order drinks throughout the day and sit outside on the balcony terrace, or inside in the lounge.
My Arbor Hotel Perks
Weekly Program
During your stay, you can join guided hikes (e.g. Geisleralm, Plose sunrise hike, Gabler), e-bike tours, forest bathing, exercise classes (pilates, yoga, Qigong, stretching, back gymnastics), and sauna infusions.
The weekly program is provided at check-in. There’s also a large board with the weekly activities, near the reception.
All of these activities are complementary and exclusively for My Arbor hotel guests. Simply sign up for the excursion, or training, at the reception.
Brixen Card
All guests receive a complimentary Brixen Card, which is valid for 7 days. This gives you free access on all local transit in South Tyrol.
It also gives you a daily ascent and descent on the Plosebahn gondola (aka Kabinenbahn St. Andrä-Kreuztal) and free entry to 90 South Tyrolean museums.
We recommend walking the Panoramic Trail on the Plose mountain. It starts at the top station of the Plosebahn gondola.
During our stay, we visited Runkelstein, a medieval castle dating back to 1237, just north of Bolzano. The entrance was free with our Brixen Card.
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Service and Staff
Overall, the staff is excellent. The reception staff members are extremely competent and professional.
Our room was nicely cleaned and tidied up daily.
Most of the dining staff is superb. But, certain staff members are in need of some polishing. Kati was addressed as “Sir” at dinner and a waiter challenged us when he brought us the wrong breakfast dish. He did fix the order, but I didn’t appreciate the manner in which the order was remedied.
Final Thoughts
We visited My Arbor in late September and it was a dream. It was difficult to pack up our things and leave.
We savored the quiet, adults-only atmosphere, the panoramic views, and the overall tree-inspired concept and breathtaking architecture of the hotel.
We slept well, ate well, and sauna-d well.
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Booking
We recommend booking your stay using booking.com for the greatest flexibility (cancellation options), best rates, and efficient booking process.
Click here for the best rates.
Dolomites Trip Planning Essentials
Use our Dolomites Travel Guide and Dolomites blog archive to plan an unforgettable trip to northeastern Italy.
When to Visit the Dolomites
Winter Season. For skiing and winter activities, the best time to visit is between mid/late December and March. To find out what to see and do during the festive advent season, read Dolomites in December.
Summer and Fall Seasons. The best time to road trip and hike in the Dolomites is between mid-June and mid-September. If the weather is stable, the hiking season can easily continue until late October.
How to Get to the Dolomites
Read How to Get to the Dolomites to find out how to travel to the Dolomites from the closest airports, train stations, and bus terminals.
If you’re traveling without a car, also check out How to Visit the Dolomites Without a Car.
Car Rental
The easiest way to travel between hiking destinations in the Italian Dolomites is with your own car. Check out our itineraries for trip inspiration:
We recommend using the Discovercars.com car rental reservation platform to search for and book car rentals. This easy-to-use booking platform compares car rental deals from 500+ trusted providers, so that you can choose the best option for your trip.
Tip: If you can only drive automatic transmission cars, as opposed to manual transmission cars (stick shift), book your car rental as early as possible.
Best Places to Stay
Figuring out where to stay in the Dolomites is probably the biggest hurdle to planning a trip to the Dolomites. We’ve created three guides to help you decide where to stay:
- Where to Stay in the Dolomites in Summer: best villages and towns in South Tyrol, Trentino and Belluno
- Best Hotels in the Dolomites: best boutique and luxury hotels in the Dolomites
- Dolomites Accommodation Guide: farm stays, mountain huts, wellness hotels, aparthotels
- Best Val Gardena Hotels: best accommodations in Ortisei, Santa Cristina, and Selva di Val Gardena
We suggest choosing 2-4 bases for your Dolomites trip and spending 2-4 nights in each base.
- Base 1: Val Gardena
- Base 2: Val di Funes
- Base 3: Alta Badia
- Base 4: Cortina d’Ampezzo
- Base 5: Alta Pusteria
- Base 6: San Martino di Castrozza
What to See & Do
During your trip to the Dolomites, you can go via ferrata climbing, culinary hiking, hut to hut hiking, cycling, paragliding, and so much more. We’ve highlighted our favorite experiences in Best Things to Do in the Dolomites.
Wherever you decide to stay, you’ll be surrounded by glorious mountain scenery and incredible natural landmarks.
In Best Places to Visit in the Dolomites, we’ve outlined the most iconic attractions as well as lesser-known destinations across the Dolomites, including Alpe di Siusi, Val di Funes, Lago di Braies, Lago di Sorapis, Lago Federa, Cadini di Misurina, and Baita Segantini.
Dolomites Hiking Guides
Hiking in the Dolomites is our passion. Year after year, we love discovering new trails and expanding our knowledge of the area. For day hiking, check out 25+ Best Day Hikes in the Dolomites. For trekking, take a look at our guide to Hut to Hut Hiking in the Dolomites and Alta Via 1.
For region-specific hiking trails, check out:
- Best Hikes in Val Gardena
- Best Hikes in Cortina d’Ampezzo
- Best Hikes in Alta Badia
- Sexten Dolomites Hiking Guide
Recommended Hiking Guidebook: Cicerone Guide: Shorter Walks in the Dolomites
Superb Hotels in the Dolomites
- Hotel de Len in Cortina d’Ampezzo
- Camina Suite & Spa in Cortina d’Ampezzo
- Badia Hill in Badia, Alta Badia
- Locanda degli Artisti Art Hotel in Canazei, Val di Fassa
- Dorfhotel Beludei in Santa Cristina, Val Gardena
- Naturhotel Leitlhof in San Candido, Alta Pusteria
- Excelsior Dolomites Life Resort in San Vigilio di Marebbe, Kronplatz
- Les Dolomites Mountain Lodges in Lungiarü, Kronplatz
