Wellness hotel tester Andrea Labonte: These are the top 5 adults-only spa hotels on Lake Garda and South Tyrol

Opening in July 2023, the Cape of Senses enjoys a prime location above Lake Garda in Torri del Benaco, combining enchanting views with minimalist elegance and Italian lightness. This exclusive adults-only resort is aimed at travelers aged 14 and over seeking a vacation home in a secluded location, offering tranquility, attention to detail, and a sense of connection to nature. A 2,000-square-meter spa area with impressive infinity pools, stunning panoramas, and first-class cuisine characterize the hotel. The sustainable architecture by renowned South Tyrolean architects Hugo and Alessia Demetz blends harmoniously into the surrounding olive groves, contributing to a sense of well-being. Regionality and sustainability are also emphasized in the culinary offerings.

The Senses Spa lives up to its name and touches the senses: The spacious garden with its olive and lemon trees, perched above Lake Garda, is a real eye-catcher. The saunas, especially the Finnish sauna, bio sauna, steam bath, and infrared cabin, not only provide relaxation but also offer olfactory pleasure. During a wellness treatment in one of the seven treatment rooms, the feeling of skilled hands on the skin delights guests' sense of touch. Stylish relaxation rooms with a spa library and tea corner even appeal to the sense of taste, where dried flowers and tea leaves can be sampled in perfectly formed tea creations. The exclusive Private Spa offers intimate wellness experiences, and the 130-square-meter fitness room with its modern equipment motivates guests to achieve peak athletic performance. The fitness offerings are complemented by guided meditations, yoga, and personal training.

Another highlight at the Cape of Senses is the infinity pool in the hotel garden. Here, the light blue of the sky and the dark blue of Lake Garda blend into a Mediterranean backdrop, while guests relax in the warm water or in one of the hot tubs with a glass of Franciacorta. Indeed, one of the hotel's hallmarks seems to be its phenomenal location. Guests enjoy this from the spa, the pools, the sun decks, as well as the spacious rooms and suites – because everywhere at the Cape of Senses, unobstructed panoramic views of Lake Garda and the Veneto mountains await.

Outside the hotel, there's no chance of getting bored: The romantic harbor town of Torri del Benaco, with its winding alleys, flower-filled piazzas, and charming wooden piers, invites you to stroll. Thanks to the hotel's own Vespa, you can even enjoy the beauty of Lake Garda with the sun on your face and the wind at your back. Boat trips on Lake Garda or hikes on Monte Baldo also offer active experiences in the surrounding area.

The multi-award-winning Preidlhof in Naturns is one of the most renowned adults-only resorts in South Tyrol for guests aged 16 and over. With its integrative wellness concept and the combination of a medical spa and Mediterranean joie de vivre, the hotel creates a place of profound relaxation. Guests can relax in a 5,500 square meter wellness area with 14 pools and whirlpools, receive physiotherapy treatments, and indulge in culinary delights. With its exceptional creations, the Preidlhof delights guests in a light, Mediterranean style.

One of the hallmarks of the adults-only hotel is the Spa Tower, which extends over six floors and boasts a total of 16 steam, relaxation, and sweat attractions. The centerpiece is the 85°C Panorama Event Sauna, where creative infusions with special effects create a sensation. The offering is complemented by an olive sauna, a wine sauna in the style of a South Tyrolean wine cellar, and an element sauna with clay walls and a fireplace. Relaxation areas such as the White Silence Lounge, the Fire Lounge with fireplace, the Deepsea Relaxation Room, and the Salt Lounge with illuminated salt crystal walls offer retreats for all the senses. A vitamin lounge with healthy snacks and drinks, as well as a functional training hall for sports enthusiasts, round out the comprehensive offering. Swimming enthusiasts will enjoy the atmospherically lit indoor pool with trendy loungers and changing light effects. The Rooftop Spa on the roof of the DolceVita Lodge also deserves special mention. At lofty heights, visitors are treated to an impressive panorama: a saltwater whirlpool with bubble loungers invites you to relax naked under olive trees, and daybeds and loungers expand the outdoor relaxation zone.

The area around Naturno is ideal for exploring by e-bike or on foot, including guided leisurely hikes through the vineyards and excursions into the Texelgruppe Nature Park. Sights such as Hochnaturns Castle or the St. Prokulus Church and Museum also add cultural interest during your wellness break.

Located in Schenna near Merano, the Hotel Das Sonnenparadies enjoys a prime panoramic location above the Etsch Valley and offers its guests an exclusive adults-only retreat full of peace, sunshine, and natural beauty. The 2,000-square-meter, modern spa area sets new standards both architecturally and in terms of its design: Particularly impressive are the panoramic sauna with floor-to-ceiling windows and relaxation swings, as well as the year-round heated, 25-meter infinity pool with sweeping views of the Merano region.

Water plays a central role in this sun paradise: In addition to the outdoor infinity pool, an indoor pool with panoramic views and a spacious whirlpool invite you to relax. The wellness offerings are complemented by a Swiss stone pine and organic herbal panoramic sauna, an aromatic steam bath, an ice fountain, and a 200-square-meter outdoor sky chill lounge—perfect for unwinding in the open air. Sports enthusiasts can work out in the fitness room. The garden concept, with palm trees, olive trees, and Mediterranean herbs such as rosemary and sage, gives the hotel a Mediterranean flair. Surrounded by palm trees, mountains, and pools, this sun paradise offers a secluded retreat for visitors aged 18 and over.

The range of activities surrounding the wellness hotel is also diverse: Numerous hiking trails start right outside the hotel door: from leisurely strolls along the Maiser Waalweg (Waal Trail) and scenic hikes through alpine pastures to challenging high mountain tours in the Sarntal Alps. Five cable cars and two chairlifts provide easy access to the starting points. Along the way, rustic mountain inns and alpine huts invite you to stop for a break – from traditional South Tyrolean specialties to sophisticated gourmet cuisine. Mountain bikers will also find a variety of tours in Schenna – from gentle trails in the valley to challenging routes in high alpine terrain. Paragliders, Nordic walkers, mountaineers, and rafting enthusiasts will also find their money's worth in the region. Mini golf and riding lessons on Haflinger horses also provide variety in Schenna.

About a 10-minute drive from Schenna lies the spa town of Merano, with its charming boutiques, the modern Merano Thermal Baths, and a diverse cultural offering. Schenna combines the idyllic village atmosphere—including its historic castle—with proximity to the spa town of Merano.

As a spin-off of the renowned Hotel Andreus, the Golf Lodge Andreus in St. Leonhard in the Passeier Valley is exclusively for guests aged 14 and over. With only 35 suites – from the Nature Suite to the spacious 275 sqm Infinity Chalet – the adults-only hotel guarantees plenty of privacy.

The spa, generously sized to accommodate the number of guests, boasts a year-round heated infinity pool, nestled in a 580-square-meter natural swimming lake, surrounded by Mediterranean gardens dotted with palm trees, cypresses, olive trees, and flowers, instantly conjuring up a holiday feeling. Relaxation nests, cozy nooks, and comfortable loungers invite you to spend time relaxing. In the evening, the natural swimming pond and infinity pool are atmospherically lit by torches. The wellness area is complemented by the Rooftop Spa with a heated saltwater infinity pool (34°C), panoramic sauna, and light-filled relaxation room – with stunning views of the Passeier Mountains. Another wellness attraction is the extensive sauna world with a two-story loft sauna, organic herbal sauna, steam bath, and outdoor event sauna, where artistic infusion ceremonies are celebrated daily.

Stylish panoramic relaxation rooms, infrared loungers, and a 50-square-meter outdoor adults-only whirlpool ensure relaxation . Located directly on the 18-hole Passeier.Meran golf course, golf enthusiasts enjoy the favorable microclimate of the Merano region and excellent training conditions with PGA professionals.

The Golf Lodge's atmospheric dining landscape also enhances the sunny wellness experience. In the Infinity Restaurant, guests can enjoy dishes directly from the gourmet kitchen on the terrace overlooking the hotel's waterscape. This allows all meals to be enjoyed al fresco with a view of the sparkling blue waters.

Active vacationers will also find something to their liking at the Golf Lodge: hikes along the Rifiano Waalweg (Waalweg) irrigation canals, alpine tours in the Texelgruppe Nature Park, or cycling adventures over the Timmelsjoch and Jaufen Pass offer a wide range of options. Just 20 minutes from the hotel, Merano invites you to explore its charming old town streets, boutiques, cafés, and Trauttmansdorff Castle.

In the heart of Algund, the reopened 5-star Hotel Avidea invites adults aged 14 and over to enjoy a relaxing getaway. This small, yet refined retreat offers 29 spacious suites featuring local natural materials, modern design, and spectacular views of the South Tyrolean landscape. And the surroundings are particularly enchanting: Surrounded by dense forests and overlooking the Merano region, the Avidea occupies a pole position. Especially in spring, the view of the Etsch Valley with its blossoming apple trees is a feast for the eyes.

Due to the manageable number of rooms (15 new nature suites and 14 completely renovated rooms), even at full capacity, only 58 guests stay at the hotel, which contributes to the pleasant atmosphere. The rooftop suites with private whirlpools and panoramic terraces are particularly popular. A highlight of the Hotel Avidea is the comprehensive Luxury All Inclusive concept: Guests enjoy exquisite food and drinks throughout the day – from a revitalizing breakfast to afternoon specialties and a five-course evening dinner. Head chef Sven Burkolter, a native of Switzerland, places a special emphasis on regional, sustainable cuisine based on the farm-to-table principle.

Guests will find plenty of peace and relaxation in the newly designed wellness area, which offers exclusive moments of well-being under the open sky, featuring an indoor and outdoor infinity pool, as well as a rooftop terrace with a sky pool. The birdsong in the neighboring forest provides the perfect backdrop for relaxation. A bio sauna, a Finnish sauna, and a steam bath, as well as soothing treatments, round out the hotel's spa portfolio. The new Avidea Experience Guide also inspires personalized wellness experiences – ranging from gentle exercise sessions to valuable insider tips on the region.

Some of South Tyrol's most beautiful hiking trails begin right outside the hotel door. Particularly charming is the Algunder Waalweg (Waal Trail), an idyllic, easy-to-walk path along historic irrigation canals. Gentle mountain trails offer magnificent views of Merano, the surrounding apple orchards, and the Texel Group. For those who want to reach higher ground, the Texel Group and Gruppo di Tessa Nature Parks offer a variety of routes, from leisurely alpine hikes to challenging summit climbs.

If you want to follow in the footsteps of Empress Sissi, you can stroll along the Sissi Promenade, which connects Merano's city center with the famous gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle and offers romantic views of the spa town.

Roman history can also be experienced up close right from the Hotel Avidea: The Adige Cycle Path along the ancient Via Claudia Augusta leads through picturesque orchards and small villages – ideal for enjoyable bike rides. But Algund itself also invites you to stroll and enjoy: regional wine festivals, tastings at local wineries, and a visit to the small parish church of St. Joseph reveal the authentic South Tyrolean way of life.

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