Gasthof Grüner Baum

In the tiny walled town of Glurns, where cobbled streets wind between medieval gates and centuries-old arcades, Hotel Gasthof Grüner Baum has been welcoming travelers for more than 500 years. Standing proudly on the town square, the building dates back to around 1500, while the hosting tradition stretches through generations of the same family, who have owned and cared for the property since 1732. Few hotels embody their location so completely. Glurns itself feels frozen in time, protected by its remarkably preserved city walls and defensive towers. Yet behind the historic façade of Grüner Baum, a thoughtful renovation has created something entirely contemporary: a design hotel where history feels alive rather than preserved behind glass.

A Dialogue Between Past and Present

The award-winning restoration succeeds because it avoids the obvious. Rather than turning the hotel into a historical museum, the designers created a careful conversation between centuries. Original timber structures sit alongside clean architectural interventions. Restored boiserie and antique furniture meet satin glass, contemporary lighting, and minimalist detailing. Soft curves balance historic geometry. Natural materials create warmth without nostalgia. Every space feels intentional, allowing the building’s remarkable history to remain visible while introducing a quieter, more modern sense of comfort. Nothing feels forced. Nothing feels fashionable. The design simply feels timeless.

Ten Rooms, Ten Personalities

Each of the hotel’s ten rooms is entirely unique. Some feature original timber ceilings and centuries-old architectural details. Others incorporate restored furniture from the turn of the twentieth century. Throughout, pale wood floors, muted colours, natural fabrics, and carefully selected design pieces create a sense of calm that contrasts beautifully with the building’s historic character. The atmosphere is refined without ever becoming formal. Historic textures remain visible. Modern comforts are seamlessly integrated. Every room feels less like a hotel room and more like a private retreat hidden within the walls of a medieval town. For guests seeking additional space, the suites offer generous layouts while maintaining the same thoughtful balance between heritage and contemporary living.

The Soul of the House

One of Grüner Baum’s greatest pleasures lies in its communal spaces. A beautiful library invites guests to slow down with a book. The piano room encourages lingering conversations and quiet evenings. And perhaps most remarkable of all is the original Rauchküche, or smoke kitchen, one of the last functioning examples of its kind in South Tyrol. These spaces remind guests that this was always a house built around hospitality, gathering, and shared experiences. Even after five centuries, that spirit remains intact.

South Tyrol on the Plate

The restaurant continues the hotel’s philosophy of combining tradition with contemporary refinement. Regional ingredients take centre stage. Seasonal produce arrives from the surrounding valleys. Classic South Tyrolean flavours are interpreted with precision rather than reinvention. Meals are accompanied by excellent local wines, while evenings often conclude with a glass of Lagrein enjoyed on the rooftop terrace overlooking Glurns. The hotel is also renowned locally for its homemade ice cream, crafted from family recipes developed over decades and produced on-site since 1978.

Above the Rooftops of Glurns

The rooftop parapet terrace is one of the hotel’s most memorable spaces. From here, the town unfolds below: medieval walls, church towers, narrow lanes, and tiled rooftops framed by the dramatic mountain scenery of the Vinschgau Valley. It is a view that perfectly captures what makes Grüner Baum so special. History and landscape. Culture and nature. Intimacy and grandeur. All visible from a single terrace.

A Gateway to South Tyrol’s Quiet Side

While many visitors come to explore the mountains, Grüner Baum offers something equally compelling: the chance to experience one of Italy’s most enchanting small towns. Guests can wander the medieval streets, visit the nearby Paul Flora Museum, explore the historic Sluderno Gate Tower, cycle through the Vinschgau Valley, or simply enjoy the unique atmosphere of Glurns itself. Unlike many alpine destinations, there is no sense of urgency here. The pace remains wonderfully slow.

Where History Feels Effortless

Hotel Gasthof Grüner Baum demonstrates how heritage hospitality should be done. Respectful rather than nostalgic. Elegant rather than extravagant. Contemporary without losing its soul. It is a place where centuries of history coexist naturally with modern comfort, where architecture tells stories quietly, and where the beauty of South Tyrol reveals itself through craftsmanship, atmosphere, and genuine hospitality. For travelers who appreciate thoughtful restoration, authentic character, and places with a deep sense of continuity, Grüner Baum remains one of the most rewarding stays in the Alps.