We cross the popular South Tyrolean region Kronplatz – Plan de Corones, (which got its name from the skiing mountain) and turn in Monguelfo to the Gsiesertal – Val Casies. The broad valley is known for its cross-country skiing trails and numerous athletes glide over the groomed trails. At the very end of the valley in the small village St. Magdalena we turn right behind the church and follow the signs „La Casies“ signs to the new four-star hotel of the Steger family.
After 334 days of construction, the La Casies Mountain Living Hotel has opened in May 2015 and welcomes guests with a modern and wide lobby.
Family Steger gives us a warm welcome and invites us to a welcome drink at the chic lounge. While tasting a Prosecco from Trentino we enjoy the fantastic views over the Gsiesertal.
The bar is modern and comfortably furnished, some old peasant furniture and an old piano provide pleasant atmosphere.
Rooms with mountain pine
We check in at room 201 and upon entering we already sniff the fine wood of the mountain pine. While the floor is constructed of uniform oak, most furniture is made of mountain pine wood.
Next to the open bathroom with walk-in shower and a large sink hangs a piece of a mountain pine tree. The fragrance has a soothing effect on the body and also provides us with a good night sleep.
To find out more about the effect of pine click here (German): Die Zirbe – Königin der Alpen.
Behind the huge windows we see the amazing landscape of the Gsiesertal. Starting at noon, the sun shines on our huge balcony and on the cozy outdoor sofa we can enjoy the warming rays of the mild winter sun.
The large terrace in front of the lounge is also a popular place to sunbathe.
Regional specialities at dinner
In the room charge the Alpine gourmet board is included with a large breakfast buffet, an afternoon buffet and four-course dinner plus salad buffet. On the menu we find traditional South Tyrolean dishes like dumpling, “Gröstel” or “Schlutza”, the kitchen team uses mainly local products. Vegetables and fruit come from the surrounding farms; the family harvests herbs at their own farm. The breakfast buffet is full of freshly baked bread, organic honey, homemade jams and fresh milk from the farmers.
Also in the restaurant the family Steger has put the view into Gsiesertal in scene and the large windows let in lots of light.
Modern wellness area
The deep blue pool invites early in the morning to swim some tracks, behind the huge panoramic windows is a large lawn.
After hiking or skiing you can sweat in the Finnish sauna – of course with stunning view over the valley and sometimes to the Dolomites.
In the summer you can go a few steps down to the creek to an icy shower under the natural waterfall. In wintertime it is of course frozen and so I cool myself with crushed ice and a cool shower. For my second trip to the sauna I choose the herbal sauna, in which I had a nice look at a homemade photo from the mountains (the owner’s son Patrick made it).
There is also a steam room and an infrared cabin, the spa menu offers relaxing massages and beauty treatments with South Tyrolean natural products.
Outdoor activities
Eating so much must of course be balanced with physical activity and in the winter owner Sepp offers snowshoeing trips, in the summer there are Nordic walking tours. By car you can reach the Plan de Corones ski area with 116 kilometers of slopes, the small lifts in Gsiesertal-Valle Casies invite especially families with young children. Cross-country skiers can directly start in front of the hotel.
Further information:
Details and bookings for La Casies Mountain Living Hotel at www.lacasies.com.
Note: This trip was supported by the tourism office of Kronplatz – Plan de Corones. The report is intended solely as our own opinions.
