San Luis Retreat Hotel & Lodges
Alpine-luxe nature retreat. Raw Tyrolean craftsmanship meets quiet sophistication. Wood, clay, slate, and linen everywhere. Candlelit evenings, frozen lake in winter, wildflower meadows in summer. Calm, slow, deeply private.
Book a lakeside Loft Chalet Suite A if you want to wake up to the lake reflection — the glass front faces directly onto the water
Why It Matters
One of the few full-immersion alpine retreats in South Tyrol where every unit has a private sauna and hot tub, all meals are included, breakfast is delivered to your chalet, and the entire 40-hectare reserve is closed to non-guests. The treehouses — some perched 5–10 metres above the forest floor — are genuinely rare, and the moon-wood construction philosophy runs through every detail.
San Luis is a 5-star private retreat built around a 5,800 m² mirror-like mountain lake on the Avelengo plateau above Merano, South Tyrol. Forty-two chalets and treehouses — all crafted from moon-phase harvested Mondholz timber — are spread across a 40-hectare alpine forest reserve, each with private saunas, hot tubs, fireplaces, and kitchenettes. The central Clubhouse holds the restaurant, bar, spa, indoor and outdoor pools, cinema, wine cellar, and gym. Opened in December 2015 by the fourth-generation Meister family — who also run the historic Hotel Irma in Merano — it's a property where all meals are included, breakfast arrives at your door, and the staff-to-guest ratio stays intentionally intimate.
Where You'll Stay
8 room types available
Comfort Chalet B
Two-storey chalet with two bedrooms — one with a king and one with a queen-over-single bunk bed — making it genuinely practical for families or friends. Moon wood and clay construction, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a south-facing veranda with private sauna and hot tub looking toward the lake and forest. The fireplace anchors the ground floor living area.
King + Bunk · 78 sqmLarge Family Chalet C
The group chalet. A two-storey structure with three independent apartments — a generous ground-floor suite with terrace, private sauna, and hot tub, plus two studios on the upper floor each with their own dining area, bedroom, and bathroom. Three private saunas across the unit. Good for multigenerational families or groups who want shared space with private retreats. Sleeps up to 6 paying guests.
Multiple · 150 sqmLoft Chalet Suite A
Single-floor loft-style chalet with a floor-to-ceiling glass front overlooking the lake. Ancient rough timber, breathing clay walls, and a slate roof give it the feel of a stripped-back mountain refuge — but with a king bed, freestanding bathtub, and private sauna and hot tub on the extra-wide veranda. A movable wall can divide the open space into two rooms. The signature unit for couples wanting lake views from bed.
King · 75 sqmLuxury Chalet H
The largest single accommodation at San Luis. Set above the main resort for maximum panoramic views of the Texel Group mountains. Three bedrooms (two kings, one twin), a loft-style living area with a fireplace big enough for a dining table seating eight, and a wide veranda with private sauna and hot tub. The local handcrafted furniture and fragrant old timber make this feel genuinely special rather than just large.
King (x2) + Twin · 120 sqmLuxury Treehouse G
Two-storey treehouse floating in a spruce and larch forest. The bedroom sits on the upper floor — you wake up looking directly into the tree canopy. Living room with fireplace and large sofa below, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows throughout, and a private sauna with forest views. With luck, you'll spot deer and squirrels from your veranda. Favourite of honeymooners and those who really want to get up into the trees.
King · 72 sqmStarlight Luxury Treehouse L
The newest and largest treehouse at San Luis — a 92 m² two-storey unit with 65 m² of terraces, a three-sided fireplace visible from both sofa and dining area, and a telescope provided for stargazing and mountain watching. The bathtub is in panoramic position. Private outdoor sauna and hotpot face into untouched forest. One staircase up, total privacy, and views to the Texel Group peaks at up to 3,000m. The top pick if you want maximum space plus deep forest immersion.
King · 92 sqmStudio
The smallest unit at San Luis and the only one designed for solo travellers. Located on the upper floor of Chalet C, it follows the atelier concept — intimate, light-flooded, and cosy. A panoramic bathtub at the roof window is the standout feature. There's a private sauna and a small deck, but no outdoor hot tub or fireplace. Good choice if you plan to spend most of your time in the Clubhouse.
King · 38 sqmTreehouse E
The entry-level treehouse — single-floor, intimate, 48 m² with a loft feel. Reached only by private stairs. Wood, natural colours, and sensual fabrics throughout. The bathtub has a panoramic forest view, and the large sofa is genuinely inviting. Smaller than the Luxury Treehouse G but more private, tucked deeper into the forest.
King · 44 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
2 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Horse-drawn carriage rides available in the area during winter months.
A small private cinema inside the Clubhouse building, available to guests.
Hiking trails start directly at the resort boundary across the 40-hectare alpine reserve. Trails range in length and difficulty; the Avelengo plateau connects to longer mountain routes into the Texel Group National Park. Staff can advise on routes.
The Starlight Luxury Treehouse L includes a telescope for observing the night sky and mountain peaks from the private terrace. The low light pollution at 1,400m altitude makes this genuinely rewarding.
The Avelignese horse breed — the Haflinger — takes its name from this area. Guided rides are available in the surrounding landscape. The breed is known for its calm temperament and compact mountain build.
The 5,800 m² natural mountain lake at the centre of the resort is open for swimming. Cooler than the pools but set against a mountain backdrop that's hard to match. Wooden piers provide easy access.
Bike hire is available at the property. E-bikes allow guests to explore the plateau and surrounding mountain routes without needing a car. Multiple guests have noted they never left the property by car when hiking or biking.
The resort maintains a 4-hectare biological garden of vegetables, berries, and rare spices tended by Harald Gasser. Much of what ends up on the plate comes from here.
The Avelengo/Hafling plateau area and nearby Merano 2000 ski area are accessible for downhill skiing. Ski storage available at the property.
Winter snowshoe walks in the 40-hectare private forest reserve and connecting trails on the Avelengo plateau.
When the lake freezes in winter, the property sets up an ice rink. Guests have repeatedly mentioned skating on the frozen lake as a standout experience.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
All meals are included in room rates: breakfast delivered to chalet, buffet lunch, afternoon cake/gelato spread (3–5pm), and multi-course dinner. Beverages are charged separately.
Modern gym in the Clubhouse wellness wing with cardio machines, weights, and fitness training available.
A dedicated wine and cheese cellar in the Clubhouse.
Pets are permitted at the property.
Large barn-sized indoor pool in the Clubhouse, heated, with a giant open fireplace beside it and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the lake.
Natural mountain lake at the centre of the resort with bathing jetties and wooden piers.
Jacuzzi built out into the middle of the 5,800 m² mountain lake.
Guests receive the Südtirol Guest Pass, which provides discounts and free entry to many regional attractions and transport.
All chalets and treehouses include kitchenettes equipped with espresso machines, electric stovetops, kettles, cookware, plus snacks and wine on arrival.
Lobby boutique stocked with homeware, candles, and items reflecting the hotel's luxe-rustic aesthetic.
Private outdoor hot tubs on the terraces of most chalets and treehouses (Studio excluded).
Private Finnish saunas in nearly all chalets and treehouses (all except the Studio, which has a shared-view private sauna). Most are on outdoor terraces.
BUILD YOUR SAN LUIS RETREAT HOTEL & LODGES PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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