Parkhotel Laurin

Built in 1910 by Munich architects as one of Europe's most state-of-the-art hotels, Parkhotel Laurin's design combines Art Nouveau with historicism. Named after a king in a local legend, the hotel first catered to Austrian and German royal families; after WWII, it once again became popular with German families who rediscovered the southern Tyrol region. Today, it carries on in the tradition of grand European hotels still under the ownership of the family that first built it. One standout feature of the hotel is its art collection, which fills its hallways and even the entrance: Around 200 original pieces from the 20th century, including impressionist works and German pieces from the days of the Weimar Republic, are hung throughout the property. The Laurin Bar has a mural that spans every wall and it's a popular spot with Bolzano locals, due in part to its massive open fireplace in the winter and beautiful garden seating in warmer months. Its pleather chairs in red, yellow, and forest green read more dated than pleasantly old-fashioned, however. On Friday nights, live music fills the space -- and in a nod to the property's old-school roots, the bar also has a smoking lounge with a secret spot for guests' personal bottles of whiskey. Most guests are vacationing couples, followed by business travelers and families.

Parkhotel Lauren is located at the start of postcard-perfect Bolzano's pedestrian town center. It's a 10-minute walk from the local archaeology museum on the other side of town, which houses the 5,000-year-old remains of an iceman affectionally dubbed "Frozen Fritz," and 10 minutes from Museion, the ultra-contemporary modern art museum whose architecture juxtaposes beautifully with the old townscape. There are also gorgeous castles and around 30 wineries in the nearby area. The hotel is a two-minute walk from the train station and a one-minute walk from the park that gives the property its name. It's about an hour and a half by car from Innsbruck Airport, just north of the border in Austria. 

Parkhotel Laurin's 100 rooms contain many of the property's original artworks and vary in style and decor. However, most rooms and suites are far more dated and bland than what one might expect. Though actual furnishings vary, the design consists of old-fashioned wood furniture, patterned linens, unattractive carpeting, and brass lamps. Rooms come with a coffee- and tea-making facilities, minibars, flat-screen TVs, and safes. Large windows and balconies promise spectacular views, though not all are furnished. Bathrooms across all room types are large and elegantly done in marble, with either shower/tub combos or separate showers and tubs. They also come with bidets, hairdryers, and high-end toiletries. 

The hotel has a healthy social calendar, with events each week ranging from apertivo-hour DJ sets in the garden bar (open April to September) to Sunday brunches and live piano music. On a quieter note, one of the main highlights of the property are the gardens, which feature sculptures, seating, and relaxation areas. It also houses a lovely heated pool outside, surrounded by a lush lawn with some loungers.The Laurin Restaurant offers fantastic fusions of Mediterranean and South Tyrolean mountain cuisine, both in the garden -- a space covered generously by a tarpaulin and with heating lamps for chillier evenings -- and in the Art Nouveau dining room. The free breakfast is also served there in the mornings and is excellent, with plenty of hot and cold options (the pastries particularly receive rave reviews). Surprisingly for a hotel of this caliber, there are no spa or gym here. Wi-Fi is free, reliable, and available throughout the property. Parking is available across the street, but there's a daily fee.