Experience Sustainable Luxury at Naturhotel Leitlhof in the Heart of the Dolomites
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Leitlhof Hotel is right in the heart of the Dolomites with monumental mountain vistas right on its doorstep. Championing a sustainable approach to hospitality, Naturhotel Leitlhof has managed to achieve eco ambitions of having a minimal impact on its natural surroundings by becoming completely self-sufficient in producing its own energy.
Whether you’re looking to find the perfect place to stay on your ultimate epic northern Italy road trip, the best spots to visit the Dolomites in April or discover some of South Tyrol’s best-kept secrets only a stone's throw away from the Dolomites. This guide will share with you all you need to know before staying at Naturhotel Leitlhof in San Candido, Italy.
WHAT IS LEITLHOF HOTEL KNOWN FOR?
As a carbon-neutral hotel, Naturhotel Leitlhof takes sustainability seriously and has been recognised by its efforts with receiving awards such as ‘Europe’s Leading Green Hotel’ most recently in 2021. Leitlhof combines luxury with an eco-friendly approach and is a 4 star hotel with a focus on nature both inspired from and taking actions to protect it.
Panoramic views of the Dolomites can be seen from the pool or even from the balcony of one of the many Leitlhof hotel rooms. Leitlhof is in close proximity to Tre Cime/Drei Zinnen Natural Park which is an iconic symbol of the Dolomites and the Three Peaks are part of the Sexten Dolomites mountain range.
WHERE IS LEITLHOF HOTEL?
The Leitlhof hotel is located in San Candido/Innichen village which is within South Tyrol in northern Italy. San Candido/Innichen village is close to the Austrian border and in the picturesque Puster valley, one of the most beautiful valleys in the Dolomites.
San Candido/Innichen village has a great choice of boutique shops, restaurants and has many cultural places of interest such as thermal springs and churches. The village attracts many outdoor sports enthusiasts throughout the year, from hiking and cycling in the summer to skiing and snowshoeing in the winter, these activities are all within reach from San Candido.
HOW TO GET TO LEITLHOF HOTEL?
By car
If you’re coming from the south near Trento, head towards Bolzano/Bozen on the A22 toll road, until you reach the Bressanone/Val Pusteria exit onto the E66. Follow the E66 until you reach San Candido where the journey takes around 1 hour 40 minutes from Bolzano/Bozen. If you are travelling from Innsbruck by car to San Candido it will take around 2 hours from Innsbruck and 3 hours 15 minutes from Verano.
By train
Naturhotel Leitlhof is easily accessible by train, with the nearest train station located in San Candido village, there are connections from Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Italy. Most train journeys will take you to Fortezza train station and from there there are trains that connect to San Candido every 30 minutes. San Candido train station is located just outside the main village centre. From San Candido train station, it takes under 20 minutes to walk to Leitlhof hotel. However, Leitlhof hotel offers a complimentary shuttle service from San Candido train station where you will need to contact the hotel to arrange pick up before your arrival.
By plane
The closest international airport to Leitlhof hotel is Innsbruck international airport in Austria which takes 2 hours to drive from the airport to San Candido. From the airport, there is an option to catch the train, with several connections from Innsbruck city centre to Franzenfeste and from Franzenfeste to San Candido which takes around 3 hours.
Alternatively, you could arrange a private taxi from the airport which will take 2 hours. The South Tyrol Transfer service is a shared private transfer from train stations or bus stops to your accommodation via the South Tyrol transfer site. Alto Adige Transfer provides a transfer service that can take you from a FlixBus stop to your accommodation including a return to the bus stop at the end of your trip.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT LEITLHOF HOTEL?
There are year round activities in and around San Candido, from skiing in the winter to beautiful hikes in the Dolomites in the summer. Check on the Leitlhof hotel website for availability before booking. Typically the hotel is open from the beginning of December until early April and then reopens in June until late October.
WHAT ARE THE ROOMS LIKE AT LEITLHOF HOTEL?
There are a great selection of rooms to choose from, from traditional style rooms to a more modern aesthetic. Each of the rooms are a combination of wood and natural textiles, illuminated by natural light from the large windows.
We stayed in an Alpin room which had a large double bed, sofa, bathroom with shower, toilet, bidet, small table, tv, minibar, safe and a beautiful balcony with views across to the Haunold mountains.
The balcony was the perfect spot to watch the sunrise and sunset each day and we couldn’t get over the view. The price for a room starts from €140 per person, per night and does not include the tourist tax (price can vary each year) which is paid at the end of your stay.
When is checkin and checkout time for the LEITLHOF Hotel?
When you arrive at Naturhotel Leitlhof, there is a lounge area you can relax in whilst you wait for check in. Check in time for rooms at Leitlhof hotel is from 3 pm and would like to be notified if you plan to arrive later than 7 pm. Check out from your room is by 11 am on your day of leaving.
How do I book LEITLHOF hotel?
Naturhotel Leitlhof can be booked online , check on the Leitlhof hotel website for availability before booking. Typically the hotel is open from the beginning of December until early April and then reopens in June until late October.
WHAT ARE LEITLHOF DOING TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY?
Naturhotel Leitlhof is carbon-neutral and takes sustainability seriously. In 2021, the Leitlhof hotel was awarded with ‘Europe’s Leading Green Hotel’ as a recognition of their eco-efforts. Whilst staying at the Leitlhof hotel, you can relax whilst knowing that the hotel has minimal impact on the local environment through producing their own electricity, heat and produce fruit, vegetables and herbs that are used within their restaurant.
At Leitlhof, the hotel combines both luxury with an eco-friendly approach which makes it one of the few hotels in Europe that is self-sustaining. Each guest's carbon footprint is 12.2kg compared to the industry standard for the hospitality industry being 31.1kg CO2 per room night. Every week you can take a tour around the power plant to learn about the process of how the hotel is self-sufficient in producing its electricity and heat. For the Leitlhof hotel, luxury and sustainability are not mutually exclusive.
WHAT PLACES ARE THERE TO EAT AT LEITLHOF?
There is the option to have either breakfast-only or half board whilst staying at the hotel, which includes breakfast and dinner. The Naturhotel Leitlhof restaurant within the hotel serves locally grown and produced food from Mühlhof farm which is also operated alongside Leitlhof hotel. The restaurant features wonderful views of the Haunold mountains and has a cosy yet elegant feel. The newly renovated restaurant will be revealed in June 2023 with a new bar on the ground floor.
Breakfast is served from 7 am until 10:30 am, serving an array of pastries, honey from the local beekeepers, breads from the local bakery, jams made from local berries, fruit, yoghurts and the option to order freshly cooked eggs, pancakes and waffles to your preference. For each meal you will be seated at the same table and in the summer breakfast is served on the terrace, however if you’d like to eat dinner outside on the terrace you will need to request this beforehand. Everyday from 3pm, the hotel serves a complimentary Marende (a South Tyrolean afternoon snack) which includes sweet and savoury regional cuisine such as speck, bread, cheese and strudels.
The food served in the restaurant uses fresh ingredients including their own produce and features traditional south tyrolean delights. In the evening, dinner is served from 7pm till 8:30pm with the option of a sample dinner menu featuring six courses with the option to choose an alternative course listed as the Leitlhof classics. The Leitlhof classics consist of tomato and basil salad, schlutzkrapfen, dumplings, entrecôte and grilled polenta.
The dinner menu changes each day and is inspired by alpine and mediterranean influences with multiple courses to choose from. We could choose from soups, ravioli, lamb fillet, veal fillet, stroganoff, Iberico tagliata, risotto and goulash soup and there are vegetarian and vegan options available. If you would like to try the local Mülhof beef fillet, you will need to preorder in the afternoon before you sit down for dinner and there will be an additional cost. A buffet salad and breads are offered before your courses arrive, however we thought there was sufficient food within the courses as they were generous servings.
WHAT FACILITIES ARE THERE AT LEITLHOF HOTEL?
The Naturhotel Leitlhof offers a weekly programme with guided hikes, tours of the hotel power plant and recommendations of places to visit in the local area. The guided hikes take place five times each week are complementary and you will receive a newsletter which includes the details of each hike offered and you are required to sign up the night before.
Each room provides a hiking backpack for you to use and hiking poles are available at reception to encourage you to explore the surroundings of the hotel. Bikes are also available to use free of charge, with the option to use electric bikes at an extra cost or if you bring your own bike to the hotel you can store it onsite in the bike room.
Reception staff are available from 7:30am until 11pm and can provide you with information on the local area and tips on best hikes. The Leitlhof hotel rooms are pet friendly and there is an additional cost of €20 per day per pet. No extra facilities will be provided for your pet, ensure you have everything they will need and they are not allowed to enter the spa or restaurant areas however you can have dinner at the bar with your pet. Being able to take your pet with you on holiday is the best feeling, our cats loved the hotel room and we would let them outside on the balcony for some fresh air.
The Leitlhof spa covers an extensive area over three floors with relaxation rooms, indoor heated pool, panoramic outdoor pool, deck chairs, outdoor cabin saunas, steam rooms, indoor saunas, jacuzzi, gym, treatment rooms with complimentary drinks and snacks. Treatments available at the beauty spa range from relaxation massages, baths, wraps and facial treatments. The outdoor pool and sauna area is open each day from 2pm. Free wifi is offered throughout the hotel and there are comfortable lounge areas near the reception.
During the winter season a free shuttle service is offered to nearby ski lifts (Haunold and Helm ski area) and there are ski lockers available at the hotel to lock your ski gear after a day on the slopes. Underground parking is provided free of charge and outside parking next to the hotel for easy access during your stay. Electric car charging points are available to use free of charge and worth contacting the hotel before your stay for availability. Professional childcare at the hotel is available during the summer holidays.
WHAT IS THERE TO DO NEAR LEITLHOF HOTEL?
Tre Cime/Drei Zinnen Nature Park
The Three Peaks Nature Park is home to the iconic Tre Cime di Lavaredo peak which is made up of three jagged teeth and is one of the most popular places to visit in the Dolomites. Tre Cime Nature Park was carved by glaciers and water to create this truly unique landscape, now known as a natural conservation area. One of the most popular walks is the Tre Cime di Lavaredo Loop where you can walk close up to the symbol of the Dolomites.
San Candido
The village of San Candido/Innichen is a historical centre with beautiful churches and old thermal springs which were used back in the Middle Ages. The location of the village is great to explore the Dolomites and has many restaurants, farmers market and South Tyrolean architecture.
Misurina Lake
At 1,754 metres above sea level, the majestic Misurina lake stands as a peaceful sanctuary reflecting the Grand Hotel Misurina which looks like a scene out of a Wes Anderson movie. In the winter the lake is frozen, casting a winter wonderland magic across the landscape and in the summer there are plenty of beautiful hikes nearby.
Toblacher See/Lago di Dobbiaco
A lovely walk around Toblacher See/Lago di Dobbiaco is a wonderful way to discover the fragrant pines and beautiful emerald green waters. Wildlife is prominent making it a great location to spot some local birds.
Lago di Braies
A popular photo location in the Dolomites, Lago di Braies is a natural phenomenon. The lake is coloured a beautiful emerald green surrounded by vertical cliffs and pine trees that frame the lake into a painting. Wooden boats are available to hire and allow you to venture onto the lake to explore each corner of this little slice of Dolomite paradise.
