Elephant
Grand historic city hotel with genuine family-run warmth. Antiques, original oil paintings and wood-panelled dining rooms sit alongside a freshly renovated spa and bold contemporary cuisine. Not a slick chain property — more like staying in a very well-maintained private house that's been running since the 1400s.
Apostelstube is only open Thursday to Saturday evenings — book well in advance, it fills up fast
Why It Matters
One of the oldest continuously operating hotels in the Alps, family-owned for 250+ years, with a Michelin-starred restaurant on site. The 2024 spa conversion of the original stables added a modern wellness layer without erasing the history.
Hotel Elephant has been putting up guests for over 500 years — and the Heiss-Falk family has owned it since 1773, now into the seventh and eighth generations. The name comes from a real elephant named Soliman, who stopped here in 1551 on his journey from Portugal to Vienna, and elephant motifs show up throughout the building. It spreads across a historic main house and the separate Villa Marzari, both set within a 2-hectare private park in the center of Brixen. The spa was completely rebuilt from the former stables in 2024, and the Michelin-starred Apostelstube has held its star since 2019.
Where You'll Stay
9 room types available
Comfort Double Room (Main House)
The entry-level double in the main house — individually furnished, mix of classic and modern, many with balconies. Sizes vary across the 43 rooms so worth specifying a preference at booking.
23 sqm
Comfort Double Room (Villa Marzari)
Same size range as the main house doubles (20–26 m²) but in the garden villa setting. Views over the park or orchard, gravel paths right outside, very removed from any street noise.
23 sqm
Comfort Single Room (Main House)
Compact single rooms in the historic main building, individually furnished with classic decor. Good for solo travelers who want the full Elephant experience without the footprint of a double.
16.5 sqmComfort Single Room (Villa Marzari)
A slightly larger single than in the main house, set in the quieter Villa Marzari building surrounded by orchard and rose garden. Exceptionally peaceful for a city-center address.
21 sqmDeluxe Double Room (Main House)
Bigger and better-appointed than Comfort, with more elaborate furnishings and typically more impressive views. The sweet spot for most guests who want character without going full suite.
27 sqmDeluxe Superior Room (Main House)
Newly added in 2024, these rooms hit 30–42 m² and represent the freshest fit-out in the building. More space, updated aesthetics, and the kind of comfort that makes you want to stay in.
36 sqmJunior Suite (Main House)
At 32–41 m², the junior suites in the main house offer proper space, elevated furnishings, and often roof terrace access. Good choice for longer stays or anyone who wants room to spread out.
36.5 sqmJunior Suite (Villa Marzari)
The best room in Villa Marzari at 30 m², with elegant interiors and garden-facing outlooks. The combination of suite-level space and the garden villa privacy makes this one of the hotel's most sought-after options.
30 sqmSuite (Main House)
The top category in the main building, newly created in 2024 at 40–50 m². The most spacious and polished option in the historic house. Limited number — book early.
45 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
5 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Free bicycle rental for guests during the warm season. Men's and women's bikes available. The Isarco Valley cycle path runs nearby and Brixen itself is very bike-friendly.
The hotel's location in Brixen gives easy access to Isarco Valley trails. The BrixenCard covers mountain transport options. The Plose gondola (accessible via BrixenCard) opens up higher-altitude walks.
The 2-hectare private park features gravel paths, fruit orchards, a rose garden, babbling fountains and shade trees. Exotic and coniferous species mix with traditional orchard plantings — a genuine rarity for a city-center hotel.
The Plose ski area above Brixen is reachable via gondola covered by the complimentary BrixenCard. Not ski-in/ski-out, but a quick local connection from the city center.
A guided aperitif journey that follows the historical route of the elephant Soliman from Portugal to Vienna, timed as the opening act to the Apostelstube tasting menu. Combines local history with creative cocktail and snack pairings.
Two tennis courts set in the Villa Marzari park. Available to all hotel guests.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Historic banqueting room available for events and meetings.
Rich buffet breakfast served daily 7:00–10:30am on the first floor of the main building. Wide selection of regional South Tyrolean products.
Fully equipped fitness room on the ground floor of the main building.
Enclosed private park spanning 2 hectares with fruit orchards, rose garden, gravel paths, and fountains. Rare for a city-center property.
Included in the room rate. Covers all public transport in South Tyrol, free entry to local museums, Acquarena pool, and the Plose gondola.
Seasonal outdoor pool in the 2-hectare park with sun loungers. Closed in cold season.
Large indoor pool in the newly rebuilt 2024 spa area (former stables). Adults-only from 3pm.
All guestrooms have individual air conditioning.
Men's and women's bikes available free of charge during the warm season.
Roundtrip airport shuttle available at surcharge.
BUILD YOUR ELEPHANT PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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