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This high altitude retreat has the most striking pool in the Dolomites

March 01, 2026 5 min read views
This high altitude retreat has the most striking pool in the Dolomites

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HOTELS This high altitude retreat has the most striking pool in the Dolomites

High in the South Tyrolean mountains, Daisy Lester unwinds at Hubertus, a spa hotel with architecture that wows

Head shot of Daisy LesterSunday 01 March 2026 21:09 GMT
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Close popoverThe hotel features an impressive outdoor heated infinity poolopen image in galleryThe hotel features an impressive outdoor heated infinity pool (Alpin Panorama Hotel Hubertus)Simon Calder’s Travel

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Famous for its glass-bottomed sky pool and floating ‘Heaven & Hell’ spa, this chalet-style hotel blends luxury wellness with world-class skiing opportunities

Location

Alpin Panorama Hotel Hubertus is nestled into the Geiselsberg mountainside, above the South Tyrolean village of Olang. The nearest airports, Bolzano and Innsbruck, are less than a two-hour drive (the hotel offers free parking).

All guests receive a complimentary tourism pass, which provides free transportation throughout the South Tyrol region and discounts on nearby attractions (the MMM Corones museum of mountaineering at the top of the Kronplatz summit is well worth a visit).

The high altitude hotel looks out across the Plan de Corones and Kronplatz ski area, with its shuttle bus ferrying skiers to and from the slopes. A gateway to the best of the Dolomites year-round, the hotel’s excursions include snowmobile tours and snowshoe hiking in the winter or e-bike tours, horse riding and golfing at the nearby Pustertal Golf Club in the summer.

Read more: The best ski resorts in Italy for 2026 holidays

The vibe

The outdoor infinity pool is heated to 33 degreesopen image in galleryThe outdoor infinity pool is heated to 33 degrees (Alpin Panorama Hotel Hubertus)

The hotel is luxurious but laidback, with chalet-chic interiors. First opened as a small guesthouse in the 1960s, it’s now unrecognisable from pictures of the original hotel. It has become part of the Belvita group, though its independent, family spirit remains.

The bar features exposed stone walls and leather lounge chairs, with a roaring fire flanked by stags' heads.

Its show-stopping outdoor infinity pool is an invitation for an Instagram photoshoot, while “Heaven & Hell” is a striking free-floating steel platform with two floors of spa facilities. Stroll around the hotel’s garden to marvel at its design.

There’s a refreshing lack of pretension at Alpin Panorama Hotel Hubertus. Guests sit in the lounge in spa robes for a pre-dinner drink while board and card games unfold on tables. There’s live music every evening in the always-buzzy bar that’s frequented by locals. Most guests are couples or groups of friends.

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Service

From the reception staff to the bartenders, everyone goes above and beyond at Alpin Panorama Hotel Hubertus. A member of the Gasser family greets guests at dinner each evening, while the restaurant servers are warm and friendly, remembering your favourite drinks and food preferences.

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Bed and bath

There are 74 rooms at Alpin Panorama Hotel Hubertus, including suites, family-size rooms and single rooms for solo travellers. Every room, including the spacious entry-level “Corones” accommodations, features a balcony with panoramic views of the mountains and valley.

In the premium rooms, the bed looks onto the Alpine vistas, and balconies come with jacuzzis or private saunas. The hotel plays it safe with the chalet-style interiors, from wooden furniture and tree trunk accents which mirror the hotel’s exterior, to Alpine artworks and neutral soft furnishings.

Some rooms come with private saunasopen image in gallerySome rooms come with private saunas (Alpin Panorama Hotel Hubertus)

All rooms feature a lounge area, complete with nesting coffee tables, a desk, a coffee and tea station, a chest of drawers and a TV that can connect with your phone.

The king-size beds are comfortable, while the walk-in wardrobe provides ample space for ski gear. You’re also given a yoga mat, a rucksack for day trips and an umbrella. The mini bar with snacks and soft drinks is complimentary and replenished daily.

Read more: How to escape the crowds on an Italian holiday

Food and drink

The bar offers a crowd-pleasing all-day menu – club sandwiches, pizzas, classic cocktails, winter warmers and South Tyrolean wines – at reasonable prices for a luxury hotel.

Half-board guests have breakfast and a five or six course dinner each night included at the sleek main restaurant. The menu rotates daily between Italian, Tyrolean and Mediterranean dishes. The opening buffet course showcases salads, meats, cheeses and local specialities, while the a la carte menu includes hearty soups, fresh seafood, roasted meats and pasta, as well as an excellent vegetarian and vegan offerings. Orders for dinner are taken at breakfast to avoid waste.

The main restaurant offers sweeping panoramic viewsopen image in galleryThe main restaurant offers sweeping panoramic views (Alpin Panorama Hotel Hubertus)

Breakfast is a fresh buffet of meats and cheeses, honey, jam, granola, fruit, yoghurt and hot staples such as sausages, beans and bacon. There’s an egg and omelette counter, plus a station to make your own juices. A self-serve lunchbox stand is available by reception, while a spa refreshment counter offers tea, coffees, dried fruits and biscuits.

Facilities

The infinity pool steals the show at the hotel. Heated to 33C, the sky pool measures 25 metres and seemingly melts into the mountain face – the views as you swim are unrivalled.

The hotel has a total of six pools in its spa – dubbed “Water World” – including a salt water pool, two outdoor whirlpools, an indoor pool and an outdoor cold water pool. There are eight saunas, including a nude log cabin, 92C panoramic sauna in an alpine cabin, a herb sauna and infrared cabin, in addition to two steam rooms and multiple relaxation rooms.

The ‘Water World’ spa has eight saunasopen image in galleryThe ‘Water World’ spa has eight saunas (Alpin Panorama Hotel Hubertus)

The spectacular “Heaven & Hell” spa is designed with a nude area below, including two saunas, a whirlpool and cold rain shower, while the top deck boasts lie-down or seated heated whirlpools with sweeping views of the ski slopes. The entire free-floating space can be privately booked for two hours at an extra cost, complete with champagne and a chocolate platter (perfect for honeymooners).

The top-spec gyms boasts machines looking out across the mountains, with the studio next door hosting pilates and yoga classes, circuit training and gentle stretching after a day on the slopes. The hotel has a boot room for ski gear and a shuttle bus service to and from the slopes which runs throughout the day. Guests benefit from a 10 per cent discount at the Rent and Go ski hire in Olang, plus a five per cent discount at the Kron ski school.

The weekly schedule is a thoughtful curation of activities, including gym classes, excursions, sauna infusions – guided sessions where a host pours water mixed with essential oils onto the coals, before gradually intensifying the heat – cooking classes, and wine tastings, catering for every type of guest.

Read more: Is this the best hotel in the heart of Milan?

Accessibility

The hotel lacks step-free access. Some of the corridors are uneven, which may make movement more difficult for guests with limited mobility, while access to the wellness area involves a few steps. The hotel recommends guests with mobility impairments to contact in advance so they can provide the best advice and assistance.

Pet policy

Pets are welcome, with a £30 charge per pet per day. They are not allowed in the wellness area and dining rooms. The hotel has a designated dining room where your pet and join you, and dogs can come on the guided hikes, but must be transported in the guest’s car rather than the hotel bus.

Check-in/check-out

Check-in is from 2pm, check-out is 10:30am.

Family friendly?

The hotel welcomes families, with interconnecting rooms and suites that sleep up to four. Children are allowed in the pools but must be supervised by an adult and respect the “quiet zones” in the spa. There are no playgrounds or childcare facilities, with the hotel specialising in wellness, relaxation and activities geared towards adults.

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At a glance

Best thing: The show-stopping infinity pool and Heaven & Hell spa.

Perfect for: Adults looking for a relaxing and activity-packed holiday.

Not right for: Young families.

Instagram from: The infinity pool.

Book now

Address: Furkelstraße 5, 39030 Olang/Valdaora (BZ), South Tyrol, Italy

Phone: +39 0474 592104

Website: hotel-hubertus.com

Read more: How Mount Etna has turned Sicily into one of Italy’s best destinations for foodies

Daisy was a guest of Alpin Panorama Hotel Hubertus.

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Hotel reviewsSki travelItaly travelSpa hotelsDolomites

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