Scala Stiegl Hotel

With its handsome, Art Nouveau style facade, Scala Stiegl Hotel makes an elegant first impression. The hotel has a long history, having begun life as an inn, and much of the current building dates back to 1898. The more mid-century style lobby, however, doesn’t quite live up to the grand expectations set by the entrance. Rooms and facilities are neat and pleasant throughout, but the decor tends to be bland and sometimes dated. 

The rambling gardens, which date back to the early 20th century, are a high point. The restaurant terrace, outdoor pool, and numerous lounge chairs offer guest views of the cypress trees, palms, and well-trimmed hedges. Guests here are mainly European couples, although the spacious Family Rooms attract families and groups as well.

Scala Stiegl Hotel is set down a peaceful side street, just outside Bolzano’s historic center. It’s a 10-minute walk to charming Piazza Walther and its 14th-century Gothic cathedral. Guests will find numerous good restaurants, bars, and cafes along the streets branching out from this main square. 

Other nearby attractions include the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology and Maretsch Castle, which are both less than a 15-minute walk away. Bolzano Bozen train station can be reached in 10 minutes on foot, while Innsbruck Airport is a 90-minute drive away, just north of the Austrian border.

Guest rooms at Scala Stiegl are tidy but simple. Moquette carpeting and beechwood furniture give the most basic room categories a dormitory-style feel. Pricier rooms are more upscale, featuring wooden flooring and either oak or maple wood furniture, but the decor is quite dull across the board. Free Wi-Fi and 26-inch flat-screen TVs come standard, along with work desks and either a pair of armchairs or a sofa. Bathrooms are equally nondescript with bidets and either shower/tub combos or glass-walled shower stalls. Wall-mounted sinks limit counterspace. Hairdryers and the hotel’s own brand of bath products are provided. Many rooms have attractive views of the surrounding mountains and town, with a few upper level room categories offering furnished balconies. Family Rooms can accommodate up to five guests, offering a king bed along with bunk beds or single beds. 

Scala Stiegl Hotel offers a decent lineup of on-site features considering its small size, which adds to the property’s appeal. There’s a good-sized outdoor swimming pool set against the backdrop of the hotel’s lush grounds. The pool is not heated and therefore only open between May and October.

The fitness center is short on space but adequate for a quick workout, featuring two weight machines, a pair of stationary bikes, and a treadmill. There’s also a Finnish sauna (it’s only turned on upon request) and a cozy adjacent lounge area. 

The restaurant is inviting, if a tad old-fashioned, with large windows that let in plenty of natural light and an interesting wall mural depicting the 12 months of the year imagined as characters. In the warmer months, seating is also available on a roomy shaded terrace. The restaurant serves up South Tyrol and Mediterranean cuisine throughout the day, along with a buffet breakfast, which is included in the room rate. 

There are two small dining rooms located off the main restaurant, which can be booked for private dinners and events. A business-like lounge area has two PCs that guests can use and a wall-mounted flat-screen TV. Free self-parking is available in an underground garage and free Wi-Fi is offered throughout.