Preidlhof Review: Transformational Wellness & Emotional Healing in South Tyrol

An honest review of Preidlhof in Italy - from the six-floor sauna tower and healing gourmet menu to holistic treatments, HRV testing, emotional healing sessions, and the stunning Alpine setting in Naturns, South Tyrol

Some wellness retreats focus on detoxification. Others emphasise fitness or aesthetic treatments. Preidlhof in South Tyrol, Italy, delivers something more profound - genuine emotional healing combined with nervous system restoration, all within a luxurious Alpine setting that feels both nurturing and transformative.

Nestled on a peaceful hillside in the village of Naturns, this award-winning adults-only wellness retreat blends deeply restorative treatments, stunning mountain views, and exceptional South Tyrolean hospitality. After several demanding months, I arrived feeling frazzled and overwhelmed. Four days later, I left feeling calm, centred, and genuinely lighter - not just physically, but emotionally.

Location & Setting: Naturns, South Tyrol

Preidlhof sits within South Tyrol's dramatic landscape where Alpine mountains meet Mediterranean climate. The village of Naturns provides a peaceful base whilst remaining easily accessible from major transport hubs.

Getting There

Access proves remarkably straightforward. The retreat lies approximately two hours' drive from either Verona or Innsbruck airports. Preidlhof offers complimentary transfers from Naturns train station, making the journey seamless even without a car.

I arrived to a warm welcome - sparkling wine and heated towels immediately signalling the level of care I'd experience throughout my stay. The team's genuine warmth was palpable from the first moment.

First Impressions: Thoughtful Design Meets Heartfelt Hospitality

Preidlhof is overseen by Mr. Ladurner, whose passion for hospitality and wellness permeates every aspect of the retreat. The property combines authentic South Tyrolean charm with Mediterranean influences, creating a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere.

Despite the hotel being fully booked during my visit, I rarely encountered other guests in the spa facilities - testament to how intelligently the space supports privacy and tranquillity.

The Facilities: Six Floors of Wellness

The breadth of facilities impressed without overwhelming:

• Six-Floor Sauna Tower - Built on what's believed to be a high-energy field, with panoramic Alpine views

• Seven Pools and Jacuzzis - Including two rooftop infinity pools overlooking the mountains

• 18 Different Thermal Experiences - From wine sauna to olive sauna, thermal pools to the unique 'Fifties Pool' with underwater music

• Six Relaxation Zones - Thoughtfully distributed across rooftop spaces, gardens, and indoor sanctuaries

• Vitamin Lounge - Offering herbal teas and light, nourishing snacks throughout the day

• Multilingual Staff - Making every interaction effortless regardless of language

The DolceVita Sauna Around

One unique advantage of staying at Preidlhof: as part of the five DolceVita Hotels in South Tyrol, guests can access all five properties' wellness facilities. This "Wellness Around" concept means you can experience different sauna experiences, pools, and treatments across all hotels - essentially booking one hotel but enjoying five. During the special Sauna Around Weeks (held twice yearly in April and October), international Aufguss world champions lead ceremonies across all properties.

The sauna tower particularly captivated me. Evening Aufguss rituals with essential oils, the soft underwater sounds in the warm pools, floating beneath the stars with mountain views - these experiences provided the deep nervous system reset I desperately needed. The extended opening hours until 11pm meant I could dine early and claim the spa's peaceful late hours - floating in warm pools with soft underwater music, completely alone, watching stars emerge over the mountains.

Accommodation: Wellness Suite Me

I stayed in the Wellness Suite Me, a beautifully spacious room with private balcony overlooking the valley and surrounding mountains. The outdoor daybed proved perfect for morning tea whilst wrapped in blankets, watching sunrise illuminate the peaks.

Thoughtful Wellness Details

The magenta tones throughout the décor represent healing energy according to colour therapy principles.

Every design element serves wellbeing:

• Comprehensive herbal tea selection

• Wellness bag with spa essentials

• "Good Night" menu offering 12 different pillow options and mattress toppers

• Automatic Wi-Fi shutdown overnight to reduce electromagnetic radiation

• Complimentary pouch of calming herbs supporting restful sleep

I initially found the mattress slightly firm, but housekeeping immediately changed it during dinner - exemplifying the responsive, personalised service throughout my stay.

The Healing Gourmet Menu: Mindful Nutrition

Dining at Preidlhof proved unexpectedly memorable. As part of my wellness programme, I experienced the seven-course Healing Gourmet menu in the wellness dining room - entirely plant-based, free from gluten, dairy, refined sugar, and soy, yet remarkably flavourful and beautifully presented.

Flexible Dining Schedule

The relaxed meal timing supported the spa-focused rhythm:

Breakfast (until 11am) - Homemade jams and breads, freshly pressed juices, egg dishes prepared to order

Lunch (2pm-5pm) - Buffet-style with abundant light options, perfect after morning treatments

Dinner - Seven-course degustation or à la carte from the regular menu (dishes easily swapped based on preferences)

Most days I enjoyed lunch on the terrace, soaking up sunshine and mountain views. The Vitamin Lounge in the sauna tower became a favourite retreat between treatments - always peaceful, always nourishing, always offering perfectly prepared herbal infusions.

My Wellness Programme: Holistic, Personalised, Deeply Healing

Initial Assessment

My stay began with comprehensive consultation and HRV testing (Heart Rate Variability). This assessment provided the spa team crucial insights into my nervous system state, directly informing my personalised treatment schedule.

Transformational Treatments

• Glowing Flow with Stefano Battaglia

  This proved far more than massage - it was genuine emotional release. Stefano, recognised as one of the world's top five healers, works with remarkable intuition and skill. The experience was powerful, cathartic, and left me feeling fundamentally shifted.

• Zen Shiatsu

  A gentle yet profoundly effective therapy working along energy meridians. I emerged feeling calm and clear - deeply relaxed without the heavy, sleepy sensation some bodywork creates. The energetic clarity lasted for days.

• Ancient Healing Session

  Blending Traditional Chinese Medicine with ancient therapeutic techniques specifically designed to release blocked energy. The session proved simultaneously emotional and energising - accessing places other treatments hadn't reached.

• 'Fresh' Facial

  Deeply hydrating treatment incorporating cooling tools alongside wonderfully relaxing head, neck, and hand massage. My skin glowed afterwards, but the true benefit was the profound facial relaxation releasing tension I hadn't realised I was holding.

  
  

The Deep Sea Relaxation Room

This unique experience deserves special mention. Surrounded by 12,500 LED lights with carefully composed sounds, I experienced a sensation of floating into deep meditative stillness. It's challenging to describe adequately, but my nervous system felt completely reset afterwards - that rare state of being simultaneously energised and profoundly calm.

Daily Activities: Active or Restful

Preidlhof offers extensive daily activities supporting various wellness approaches. I chose a relatively active schedule and still didn't manage everything I wanted to experience.

Memorable Activities

• Forest Bathing with Irmgard - Beautiful guided experience through local landscapes with insights into the area's natural healing properties

• Face Gym and Laughter Yoga - Unexpectedly fun and genuinely energising

• Mediterranean Herbs Workshop - Tasting and learning about healing properties of local botanicals

• Optional Adventures - Borrow Vespas, quad bikes, or even rent a Porsche for scenic mountain drives (such a thoughtful touch for those wanting to explore)

The variety allowed me to balance active experiences with quieter, more contemplative ones - finding exactly the rhythm my body and mind needed.

The Spa Philosophy: Energy-Based Healing

What distinguishes Preidlhof from standard luxury spas is its foundation in energy-based healing. The six-floor sauna tower stands on what's believed to be a powerful energy field. Whether you're drawn to energetic healing concepts or simply seeking effective stress relief, the atmosphere proves undeniably calming and restorative.

The evening sauna sessions became ritualistic for me. With the spa open until 11pm daily, I could dine early then claim the facilities' peaceful late hours - floating in warm pools with soft underwater music, completely alone, watching stars emerge over the mountains. These moments provided the deepest restoration.

Who Should Book Preidlhof?

Based on my experience, Preidlhof particularly suits:

• Anyone experiencing overwhelm or burnout who needs more than surface-level relaxation - you need genuine nervous system restoration.

• Solo travellers seeking meaningful retreat - the atmosphere supports both solitude and connection, with warmth rather than pressure.

• Guests interested in emotional healing and holistic therapies beyond conventional spa treatments.

• Wellness enthusiasts curious about energy-based treatments - HRV testing, meridian work, healing sessions with renowned practitioners.

• Couples or friends wanting transformational experience rather than simply a luxury holiday.

• Those drawn to Alpine settings - if mountains restore your spirit, this location will resonate deeply.

Preidlhof probably isn't ideal if you're seeking high-energy fitness focus, party atmosphere, or prefer conventional spa treatments over holistic healing modalities. This retreat rewards openness to approaches beyond standard Western wellness.

My Final Thoughts

Preidlhof delivered something increasingly rare in wellness travel - genuine emotional transformation alongside physical restoration. The combination of Alpine beauty, exceptional practitioners, and Mr. Ladurner's evident passion for meaningful hospitality created an environment where real healing felt not just possible but inevitable.

I left feeling fundamentally different. The treatments with Stefano Battaglia and the Zen Shiatsu sessions particularly provided releases I didn't know I needed. The Deep Sea Relaxation Room reset my nervous system more effectively than weeks of attempted self-care at home. The Healing Gourmet menu taught me how nourishing plant-based eating can be without feeling restrictive.

The six-floor sauna tower, the thoughtful wellness details in my suite, the evening rituals floating beneath stars - these weren't just pleasant amenities but essential elements supporting profound personal shift.

For anyone seeking a wellness retreat in Italy that honours emotional healing alongside physical restoration, that combines South Tyrolean warmth with sophisticated holistic treatments, Preidlhof delivers something genuinely special. This isn't just a beautiful spa hotel - it's a transformational wellness sanctuary designed specifically for those ready to feel better in every dimension of their being.

Book Your Transformational Retreat at Preidlhof

Ready to experience energy-based healing and Alpine wellness? Our specialists can help design your perfect Preidlhof programme.

Call: +44 (0)203 886 0082

Enquire online: Preidlhof

Preidlhof offers programmes from 4-night wellness escapes to comprehensive week-long transformations. We can guide you through options and help select the ideal programme for your healing journey.