A wellness weekend at Garberhof in Mals

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On the edge of the historic village center of Mals, not far from the Swiss border, lies the 4-Star Superior Hotel Garberhof. Over the past forty years, Garberhof has evolved from a simple mountain inn into a first-class wellness hotel – a place that invites relaxation all year round. The successful combination of modern design, high quality standards, and traditional South Tyrolean coziness impressed us immediately.

Silent Luxury at Garberhof in Mals

Step by step, the hotelier family Pobitzer transformed the former mountain inn in sun-drenched Mals, located about 1,000 meters above sea level, into a stylish wellness retreat – a place that exudes tranquility and well-being. In 2022, Garberhof underwent not only a comprehensive rebranding but also an elaborate redesign in a record-breaking nine weeks. The rooms, lounge bar, and spa area were modernized, the facade redesigned, and an idyllic organic natural swimming pond created.

Traveling to Mals from Switzerland can be combined with a scenic postal bus ride over the Ofen Pass. From the final stop of the Zernez–Mals postal bus line, it’s only about a ten-minute walk to Garberhof. Of course, the hotel also offers a comfortable pickup service. After the nearly four-hour journey, we were happy for the opportunity to stretch our legs. And thanks to the striking new facade design, Garberhof is hard to miss. Together with the Munich-based architecture firm Lang Hugger Rampp, great emphasis was placed on traditional craftsmanship and the use of regional materials in the redesign. I find the result extremely successful.

What immediately struck me as positive while walking through the hotel lobby was the relaxed, stylish atmosphere and the courteous service. And I believe that this is exactly what the Garberhof team aims to convey with the claim «Silent Luxury».

Rooms to Feel at Home

After a welcome drink in the hotel lobby, we inspected our room. Garberhof offers 44 rooms and suites – all with an individual touch. In addition, two chalets located in the garden provide a special retreat.

We stayed in one of the 40 m² spacious, light-filled Alpine Double Room. The bright, expertly coordinated color schemes and the high-quality oak parquet radiate a wonderful calm. And as the name suggests, the room offers a magnificent view of the snow-capped peaks of the Vinschgau mountains. On closer inspection, one can notice well-placed accents such as the pictures from the series «Gräser, Wind und Licht» and products from the in-house cosmetics line.

The Alpine Double Room features a balcony, a cozy seating area with a sofa and armchair, a coffee machine, and a separate WC with a bidet. The rest of the bathroom is open-plan and integrated into the room.

Relaxation at the Mii:amo Spa

The Mii:amo Spa is the heart of Garberhof. The 2,200 m² wellness area includes, in addition to the indoor and outdoor pools, various relaxation and treatment rooms as well as two large panoramic saunas – and the largest hotel hammam in Italy. The spa staff introduces you to the oriental cleansing ritual, and you receive a pestemal and an exfoliating glove for the experience. I really like that access is scheduled in time slots; hotel guests can specify their preferred time slot, which is then entered into a list. This way, you can enjoy the hammam at your leisure even on rainy days.

Garberhof also offers numerous treatments and pampering packages that can be added. I enjoyed a 50-minute Garberhof Apricot Aroma Massage and can only highly recommend taking advantage of the treatment options – the value for money is really good compared to other wellness hotels!

During our stay at the end of January, the organic natural swimming pond was less of a focus due to the season. Instead, we enjoyed the view of the mountains from the bubbling loungers by the heated outdoor pool. Anyone visiting Garberhof in the summer months will surely eventually find a cozy spot in the garden and take a refreshing dip in the natural pond for a cool down.

Relaxing in Lounge Bar 1981

Lounge Bar 1981, with its cozy armchairs and roaring fireplace, quickly became my favorite spot at Garberhof. The thoughtful layout with its various niches creates an inviting atmosphere – ideal for relaxing hours. We were particularly impressed by the extensive cocktail menu and the mixology talent of the bar team. It is no wonder that locals mingle with the guests here after work.

With around 60 different gin varieties on the menu, the selection is impressive. And the bar team knows exactly how to showcase them. A highlight not to be missed is the „Felix Luis“ – an in-house creation by hotelier Klaus Pobitzer in collaboration with the Malser distillery Secci. The regionally inspired flavor notes make this gin a special moment of indulgence.

South Tyrolean Cuisine at Garberhof

The culinary offerings at Garberhof leave nothing to be desired. In addition to the breakfast buffet, the half-board includes a daily changing 5- to 6-course menu – optionally featuring various healthy dishes. Additionally, the hotel surprises every week with culinary highlights. For instance, during our visit, there was a «Cuban Night», inspired by the Cuban roots of hotelier Yanelys Pobitzer.

Our conclusion is very positive! The standard is high compared to other 4-Star Superior hotels, and true to the motto «the eye eats too», even the plates are beautifully presented.

Winter Excursion Tips around Garberhof

We took our time during our days at Garberhof and only planned excursions after a leisurely breakfast. If you enjoy frozen treats, you should not miss the Egg Benedict «à la Garberhof». Otherwise, the breakfast buffet – with its numerous Vinschger specialties – has everything you need to start the day deliciously.

Hotel guests receive the digital South Tyrol Guest Pass for the duration of their stay, which allows them to use public transportation in South Tyrol free of charge. We took this as an opportunity to catch a bus from Mals on an excursion to Schlinig, which is about 20 minutes away. From there, a gentle winter hike of approximately 30 to 45 minutes leads to the Schlinig Alm. Even though the weather was somewhat miserable, it was still a perfect short trip with a delightful mountain hut visit.

In Schlinig, you will also find the cross-country skiing center with a 22-kilometer loop. Alternatively, the same bus line will take you to the family-friendly Watles Ski Area. Depending on the day of the week, Garberhof also offers guided snowshoe hikes or other activities during the winter.

Practical Tips for Your Wellness Weekend at Garberhof

• • Garberhof is located on the outskirts of Mals in the Vinschgau. Mals is the final stop of the Zernez–Mals postal bus line and offers a direct connection to the Vinschgau railway to Merano. The journey from Zurich takes about four hours by public transportation – roughly the same as by car, depending on traffic conditions.

• • Room prices vary depending on the category, season/day of the week, and package. Overnight stay including half-board starts at approximately 200 Euros per guest per night. Current pricing information can be found here: Book a Room

• • Dogs are welcome upon request and for an additional fee (they do not have access to the dining rooms, the wellness area, or the wellness garden). At lunchtime, you can enjoy the bistro menu from 12:00 to 16:30 (for an additional charge).

• • As a guest, you receive the digital South Tyrol Guest Pass, which entitles you to free use of public transportation.

• • An overview of the additional inclusive services can be found here: Garberhof Inclusive Services

• • To fully enjoy the Mii:amo Spa and the surrounding area at your leisure, I recommend a stay of two to three nights. The wellness area can be used free of charge on the arrival and departure days before check-in and after check-out.

• • A getaway at Garberhof is a good idea in any season: in winter, winter hiking trails, cross-country skiing trails, and ski slopes are just around the corner; in spring, the apple blossom entices; in summer, you can cool off in the organic natural pond; and in autumn, indulgence takes center stage.