Consciously Connecting with Nature

South Tyrolean Original Klaus Dissertori has become known for his contemporary takes on Alpine hospitality in his native region. In Lana, Italy, his hotels Villa Arnica and 1477 Reichhalter find their roots in the ground beneath their footprints as well as the surrounding mountains. The former is a faithfully restored villa from the early 20th century with a meadow and gardens unfolding around a picturesque pool, while the latter unfurls behind a carefully preserved façade that dates back 500 years. Located only 350 meters away from each other, both hotels are nestled in the heart of Val d’Adige, or Etschtal Valley, with its distinctive Alpine-Mediterranean landscape. Nearby, shaded treks along Mount Vigiljoch are lined with pine trees, forests, and wooden gabled farmhouses, while the sunny Tappeinerweg promenade, first created in the 19th century, offers a landscaped botanical path with over 400 labeled tree and shrub specimens.

Blending Alpine landscapes with warm Mediterranean vibes is Giardino Ascona, a Tuscan-style retreat near the northern shores of Lake Maggiore in Switzerland. Surrounding the renovated 20th-century villa are verdant gardens opening up to terraces, sitting areas, and a water lily pond reflecting the stunning mountain backdrop. One of Europe’s finest golf courses is only steps away, while the surrounding Ticino mountains and countryside offering unending paths for challenging hikes and calming walks alike.

Tamer strolls can be found near Zum Löwen Design Hotel Resort & Spa in Duderstadt, a medieval town in central Germany. Within close range are idyllic forests and rolling hills, perfect for relaxing walks and basking in the echoing sounds of nature. The property also recreates a natural ambiance indoors with dark hardwood columns and beams, reflecting the architectural traditions of the German Timber-Frame Road, along which Duderstadt is located. The sense of calm found outdoors is also extended in the spa, where a salt grotto features a unique light display of natural colors and where a glass floor reveals the raw stone below.

At Casa de São Lourenço in Manteigas, Portugal, sky-high views of the stunning Serra da Estrela Nature Park take center stage. Floor-to-ceiling windows and terraces in guestrooms, at the restaurant, and in the spa reveal panoramic vistas of the glacier valley below and mountains beyond. Venturing out into the park, guests can meander through a landscape of rye and beech on the ancient trails of shepherds; ascend to great heights on one of the hotel’s all-terrain bikes; refresh on the shores of crystal-clear lakes, rivers, and lagoons in summer; or hit the ski slopes in winter. Isabel Costa, one of the Originals, aims for the property to reflect her own recurring sense of awe for region: “Sometimes journeys go under-appreciated—perhaps being overshadowed by the thought of the destination—but every time I drive into or out of the mountains, I’m touched by how special the experience is,” she says.

Situated along California’s cinematic Sonoma Coast, Timber Cove Resort boasts an outdoor living room and an oceanside fireplace as well as direct access to hiking trails and a local beach. The area is home to unending forests, beaches, mountains, and lakes ripe for exploration, while daytrips to charming towns such as Bodega Bay, Santa Rosa, or Healdsburg lead travelers along jaw-dropping scenic coastal routes. The hotel itself, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, simultaneously blends in with and stands out amongst its surroundings. Its striking A-frame structure, designed by Richard Clements Jr., a devotee of Frank Lloyd Wright, is tucked into a sandstone outcropping defined by Douglas fir posts and redwood elements—for, as Wright once said, “Stay close to nature. It will never fail you.”