Hotel Castel Rundegg
Merano, Italy
Live in a stately home in a luxurious castle hotel in Merano's exclusive villa district of Obermais.
This charming and romantic adults-only hotel in South Tyrol offers style, history, and plenty of comfort. It's the ideal place to escape for a few days and enjoy Merano's unique climate. Dating back to 1154, this noble castle offers an extraordinary ambiance within ancient walls and a stunningly beautiful Mediterranean park. The hotel is also one of South Tyrol's pioneers in wellness and beauty and has hosted many prominent guests.
This is the hotel
The Hotel Castel Rundegg is a stately castle hotel in Merano! It enjoys a prime location, just outside the center, in the exclusive residential district of Obermais. Both the gardens of Trauttmannstorff Castle and the city center of Merano are a 15-minute walk away. The immaculately maintained castle hotel, with its mighty square tower, originally dating back to 1154, boasts typical South Tyrolean red and white shutters. Driving through the imposing arched gate into the hotel's parking lot is a sure sign of awe. Bay turrets and the crenellated courtyard wall naturally emphasize the romantic castle atmosphere. The castle is surrounded by a large Mediterranean garden, or rather, a park! Framed by mighty trees, old villas, and residences, with the imposing peaks of the Texel Group in the background – it simply doesn't get more stylish than this! The property has been remodeled and expanded several times over the centuries. For a long time, the castle was owned by several noble lords until it was finally converted into a luxury hotel with Italy's first beauty farm in 1978.
The interior of the castle hotel is tastefully rustic, furnished with many antiques, but that's just what a castle hotel deserves. Each room is different; this is precisely what characterizes this old castle building steeped in history. You sense elegance, authenticity, and a particularly high level of historical charm, just as you would expect from such a stately home. "Sleep like a gentleman" is how the hotel advertises its rooms and suites, and that's exactly how it is. You feel special when you spend the night in these magnificent rooms. You can sense the history and marvel at the many historical details that have been preserved in the hotel. Old works of art and antiques are lovingly maintained and presented. The hotel is absolutely keeping up with the times!
A modern wellness area with a spacious indoor pool and a luxurious medical spa complete your stay at the hotel. Just a few years ago, a beautiful new outdoor infinity pool with a wow factor was added—an absolute highlight!
Culinary
The Rundegg was just awarded a Gault&Millau award in 2025, and its cuisine achieved 91 out of 100 points from Falstaff in 2022 and 2023. The beautiful, classically elegant, historic restaurant with vaulted ceilings serves modern South Tyrolean cuisine, naturally influenced by Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, but also Alpine influences. Great importance is placed on regional origins, sustainability, and transparency when it comes to ingredients; for example, fresh herbs from the hotel's own garden are used, and meat is supplied by friendly farmers. In the warmer months, you can also dine on the secluded Mediterranean terrace under palm trees. Beautiful fairy lights create a wonderfully romantic atmosphere in the evening. There's a small bar where you can enjoy a delicious aperitif or cocktail, and of course, the wine cellar is well-stocked with fine regional wines. The bar also has a beautiful little terrace with artfully curved white bistro tables and chairs. There's no better way to enjoy your espresso or spritz than sitting here and gazing out over the park! There's no hectic pace at the hotel; it's a slowdown hotel. Relax and unwind is the motto! That's why even more effort is put into service, and personal attention is paramount.
About the rooms
I was privileged to stay in the Elisabeth Suite. The suite was named after Empress Sisi, who spent a wonderful time at the nearby Trauttmansdorff Castle. The suite is exceptionally tastefully furnished and designed, with great attention to detail. Antiques and contemporary, currently trendy design elements complement each other perfectly! The color scheme, with its beautiful blue and green tones, is a real eye-catcher. The large-scale photo wallpaper with a stunning floral decor behind the bed is a fantastic idea. The 55-square-meter suite has a separate bedroom and living room, a large hallway with stunningly beautiful, colored leaded glass windows, and a spacious bathroom. All rooms are very bright with large windows and offer a stunning view of the garden with its palm trees. This is the ideal suite for a romantic stay. Of course, there is an espresso machine in the room, a TV, Wi-Fi, and a spa bath bag. The suite is designated as a Junior Suite, but offers much more!
The other suites are a bit more classic, but just as spectacular – the 45 sq m Tower Suite, for example, is located in the highest tower of the castle hotel and can only be reached via a small spiral staircase. From up there, you'll enjoy a magnificent view of the city.
There's also a junior suite with a balcony. The 40 sq m suite, incidentally, boasts the only balcony in the castle hotel. This makes it all the more enjoyable to sit on the balcony, relax, gaze out into the garden, and lose track of time!
With a whopping eight(!) windows, Suite 24 is extremely spacious and flooded with light. Another suite, number 57, has its own private garden. At 55 square meters, these two suites are the largest living spaces in the hotel. They are, of course, also furnished with tasteful antiques and feature the amenities already described for the Junior Suite.
In the 30-35 sqm room categories, you can choose from Deluxe Rooms (the former high-vaulted master suite in the castle building), as well as Classic Rooms, Elegance Rooms, and Elegance Rooms with a Balcony in the annex. These are also tastefully furnished, with antiques and lovingly detailed details. Single rooms are also available.
The rooms have a seating area or couch, bathroom with double vanity, TV, safe and other amenities typical for this category.
Highlights - and what's gorgeous
Feeling like a lord of the castle, strolling elegantly through the hotel garden, and experiencing the stylish castle ambiance—that's truly gorgeous, I think. Something truly special is the harmonious, dignified interior design, with its many antiques and old works of art. Each of the rooms is unique and designed with passion.
It is exciting to discover the old castle with its history and tradition and, on the other hand, to enjoy the modern amenities of a 4-star superior hotel.
Enjoy the South Tyrolean La Dolce Vita in the hotel garden with its beautiful Mediterranean terraces or lie in the sun with a cool drink by the impressive new infinity pool and whirlpool and forget about time.
Deep relaxation and distance in the wellness area with sauna, steam bath and spacious indoor pool.
Treat your mind and body to something good at the Castel Rundegg Medical SPA with its holistic wellness concepts, beauty treatments, massages, and therapies. Day spa treatments are also available.
The hotel's location in Merano Obermais is ideal! Merano's city center and Trauttmansdorff Castle are within easy walking distance. Schenna, Lana, Marling, and Avelengo are just a few minutes away by car. The hiking and skiing areas around Merano are also within easy reach.
Why go there?
Looking to find peace and recharge your batteries? Take a break? Pamper yourself and enjoy life? Then Castel Rundegg is the place for you! Individualists who appreciate a sophisticated atmosphere will be in good hands here. Slow down and unwind is the motto. Those interested in South Tyrolean history, tradition, and culture will find the hotel the perfect setting for exciting discoveries and experiences. The hotel is an ideal starting point for excursions and hikes in the Merano region, but also offers quick access to more distant hiking areas. Public transport is a 5-minute walk away.
Around the hotel
Who doesn't know Merano, this charming spa town in South Tyrol? Known for its mild climate and impressive mountain landscapes, the city offers a blend of history, culture, and nature, with beautiful promenades, historic buildings, and a lively city center. The area surrounding Merano is ideal for a variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, and skiing in winter. The Ulten Valley, just a few kilometers from Merano, is particularly pristine. Various cable cars quickly transport day-trippers and hikers to higher hiking areas. On the nearby Salten mountain, you can admire expansive alpine landscapes with many beautiful old larches and stop for a break in one of the cozy alpine huts. Highlights are certainly the Merano Thermal Baths and the gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle. Tyrol Castle and Juval Castle near Naturno are also worth a visit. Around Merano, there are many beautiful irrigation canal paths; romantic, and often with stunning views, they lead through vineyards, orchards, and forests. Of course, Bolzano is also worth a visit.
My tips
Of course, a visit to the gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle is almost a must when in Merano! A visit to the Kränzelhof in Cermes is also highly recommended. Wine, gardens, art, and culinary delights come together there. The "7 Gardens" are a beautiful complex with many fascinating art objects and a perfect blend of art and nature.
At the associated bistro, Essbar, you can relax and enjoy a glass of wine, or even purchase it. The adjoining restaurant Miil is also excellent, making it a great option for lunch.
I love the irrigation canals around Merano. Whether Marling or Algund, the paths are a year-round experience.
I like to buy souvenirs at the Merano farm shop on Via Roma near the roundabout, or at PUR in Merano's city center.
For wine lovers, I recommend the Meraner Weinhaus, and for South Tyrolean sparkling wine from the Arunda sparkling wine cellar, I'll happily skip champagne. Just stop by Arunda in Mölten and try it.
My favorite hiking area is above Merano, between Avelengo, Meltina, and San Genesio – the Salten! The hike up to the "Stoarnernen Mandln" is no secret tip. A mystical spot with countless stone towers and magnificent views of the Dolomites, the Texel Group, and the Ortler Mountains.
Book
book directly with the hotel here