Alto Adige - South Tyrol, Italy Hotel Rooms at the Independent

The underground pool/spa is impressive. Our room was attractive and spacious (for our family of four), the breakfast was good, and the staff was helpful. We had a very late evening the night before we left and the hotel staff allowed us to check out one hour later at no additional charge.

It was wonderful! The hotel is a 15 minute walk out of town but it is a beautiful walk and we enjoyed it. The hotel has free breakfast, wifi, a pool, ping pong tables, a sauna and it is in the middle of vinyards! I would definitely come back!

Hotel Aster is a delightful small hotel in Merano. Set in a residential neighborhood, it is a short walk to the city. Rooms are very comfortable and the breakfast buffet is outstanding. The level of service from Gabriela and Luigi and their staff is simply outstanding. From relaxing at the pool drinking cappuccinos to dining in the hotel or elsewhere, or sorting out the myriad of activities in Merano, they provided a level of service that we had not seen in many places!!! We can't wait to return for another stay!

Very contemporary hotel in a location known for old world ambience. Only 9 km outside of Bressanonne. Convenient for traveling north to Austria and Mad Ludwigs Castles or driving thru the Dolomites to Tre Cimi and Cortina.

we loved the hotel, the roof top lounge was great. Two issues were, it's in the middle of nowhere and there's no restraurant on the premise.

The hotel and staff were wonderful. They thought of almost all details to make it an outstanding experience.

If you have rented a car, this spot is very convenient to Casterotto & the main gondola lift to Compatsch in the Alpe di Siusi. Wonderful family run hotel, excellent cuisine, and 5 star service. A great value and a great stay.

Great hotel and location. Expensive but worth it.

Excellent hotel! My husband and I travelled during off season so enjoyed a quiet and peaceful stay at half board. Staff were extremely attentive, breakfast and dinner was 5 star quality; there were more options to try than you could possible fit in. The spa was heavenly after a long day of hiking. The room was spacious and offered a beautiful view from the balcony. I only wish we skipped Milan and spent a full week here. There is so much to do in all of the small towns. You can see the people are proud of their towns because every building is clean, decorated with woodworking or paintings, or displaying baskets of potted flowers.

The pictures on the website misrepresent the location of this hotel by making it seem like it's in the middle of a meadow. In fact, the neighborhood has grown up around the place and it's pretty much surrounded by buildings. That said, we really liked this place. We visited July 2010. It's run by family, mainly by a young man we nicknamed "Ferris" because he had that little Ferris Buehler half-smile going on. He's fluent in Italian, German, English, and apparently a couple of other languages, so he makes it all easy. Location is good, not right downtown in Santa Christina, but close enough to comfortably walk. Nice rooms with beautiful views, good service, and great food. Lots of good advice about hiking routes and other activities, and a great sauna/pool complex. We got a room and half-board (big breakfast and 4-course dinner) for less than a room alone in suburban Boston. Guests tend to stay for a few days, eat at the same times, and get to know each other. Strong wine cellar if you want it, and coffee, beer, soda available anytime. I suspect it's a lot busier in winter, but irrespective of the season, we'd definitely go back. Santa Christina is a little bit quieter than either Ortesi or the next town up valley (though still has shops and restaurants) and I think it's a great place to be situated for a summer vacation.