San Lorenzo Mountain Lodge
Style Natural high
Setting Dramatic Dolomite valley
San Lorenzo Mountain Lodge, a 16th-century chalet surrounded by forests, meadows and mountains, has the magic of Hansel and Gretel’s candy cottage –minus the witch. Its breathtaking South Tyrol scenery is rivalled by alluring interiors: fur furnishings, mohair throws, lashings of larch, artful antiques, and black-and-white photos of the lodge as it once was. Fresh from the fashion world, the owners bring a relaxed elegance and heartfelt hospitality to this former hunting lodge – they’re true hosts. Expect to fall in love with the Dolomites, the lodge, and the owners (not necessarily in that order).
Need to know
- Rates information A week’s stay is from €8,400; €1,200 daily (lodge only). If less then four guests stay, a 20 per cent discount applies, meaning one week's stay is from €6,720. The VIP package which includes catering and entertainment is €11,200–€21,000.
- Ideal for Families, friends, sociable groups of couples, ardent skiers, walkers and adventurers. Gourmands will think they’ve reached heaven.
- Sleeps Up to 10, in three doubles and one bunk-bed room that sleeps up to four.
- Minimum hire One week, unless you opt for the VIP package, which has no minimum stay, apart from over Christmas and New Year.
- Children The lodge is very family friendly: there is a cute room with bunk beds that sleeps four, the owners can recommend or organise day trips and activities for a range of ages, and sporty children will love the range of outdoor activities offered up by the area. More...
- Booking process A 25 per cent deposit will be taken (50 per cent for Christmas and New Year bookings), with the full balance due four weeks before arrival (bookings made within this time period must be paid in full immediately). Cancellations can be made without charge up to four weeks before arrival; a charge applies after this time period.
- Also Ask the owners nicely, and they’ll arrange flowers, newspapers, massages, limousine service, helicopter service, and other requirements (for an extra cost).
Floor plan
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Bedrooms
Il Sogno has a double bed, views of the meadows, woods and whirlpool, and an ensuite bathroom with a shower and a separate toilet. The red fir wood gives the room its golden glow.
L’Aurora faces north, with a view of the Dolomites. The stately double bed, ornately carved from dark wood, once belonged to one of Stefano’s relatives. The ensuite bathroom has a shower and separate toilet.
East-facing Il Nido overlooks the Plan de Corones mountain. The bathroom (shared with Il Rifiugio) has a shower, and there’s a separate toilet.
Il Rifiugio is equipped with two bunk beds, making it perfect for little Smiths. Red and white gingham furnishings add kitsch cuteness. - Kitchen The original structure of the kitchen has been preserved, and modern fittings added. There are plenty of pots and pans for guests to use – or let Giorgia take charge; she’ll teach you some mouth-watering traditional recipes.
- Living room There are plenty of cosy spots to choose from, including a stately stube (parlour), a former tea parlour which has been converted into a sort of salon, with comfy sofas, a glass coffee table and a TV discretely hidden in a cupboard. There’s also a den with a huge TV, iPod dock and WiFi access on the ground floor, and an upstairs anteroom reinterpreted as an open-plan lounge, with a masonry fireplace, white sofas and fur rugs.
- Dining room The wood-adorned stube doubles up as the breakfast and dining room, with wooden seating and chairs, soft cushions, white-linen clad tables and bowls filled with discs of hard, home-made traditional bread.
- Poolside There’s no pool, but the stainless-steel whirlpool in the garden (designed by Stefano himself) overlooking the mountains, makes for a memorable dip. Stefano recommends that guests wait until night, when nearby Brunico sparkles with lights, to try it out. The pool can be kept at a constant heat, so the water will be deliciously warm, even when it’s dark.
- Private parking Parking is free for guests, and there’s plenty of room right by the lodge.
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Smith extra at San Lorenzo Mountain Lodge
10 per cent off a massage or Vital Coach Experience
In the know
Eating and drinking
We strongly recommend booking the VIP package, which includes a generous Continental breakfast (homemade jams, petite pastries, breads, cheeses, berries, cereals, natural yoghurt, tea, coffee and fruit juices), afternoon tea, aperitifs, regularly replenished fruit juices and spring water in the lounge areas, and delicious home-cooked dinners. Stay more than three days and be treated to a wine tasting with a local sommelier in the lodge’s wine cellar (formerly a goat shed). Alternatively, opt for the non-catered option and make use of Giorgia’s well-stocked kitchen (with the option of requesting a home-cooked dinner on the first night, for an extra cost).
Housekeeping
Cleaning is daily; bed linens and towels are refreshed during the stay. If guests go VIP, a daily change of bed linens and towels can be arranged.
Entertainment
The former pantry has been reimagined as a ruby-red and wood-clad den, equipped with LCD TV, DVD/CD player, stereo, radio, iPod dock, telephone and WiFi. The tea room shares the same facilities, though in this room they are tucked away discreetly, so as to encourage relaxation and conversation.
Provided
Dressing gowns and slippers are laid out lovingly in the bedrooms, and there is an array of deliciously fragrant herby products in the bathrooms, including shower gel, shampoo and body lotion.
Packing tips
This all depends on your interests – the owners advise guests to tell them know what you want from your holiday, and then they can guide you. We would have benefitted from bringing walking boots and a windcheater (but we borrowed some instead).
