Villa Arnica, Lana, Italy
A 1920s Garden Villa Where Vintage Elegance Meets the Ease of Modern South Tyrol
Why DNA Hotels Loves It
● A beautifully restored 1925 villa where original architecture, antique finds, and Italian mid-century design create a richly layered sense of place.
● Just ten adults-only rooms and suites, each shaped by the building’s historic proportions, vaulted ceilings, and carefully preserved character.
● A lush garden, 1960s pool house, and relaxed garden-to-table dining capture the effortless spirit of la dolce vita in the Dolomites.
A Villa with Memory
Built in 1925, Villa Arnica carries nearly a century of stories within its thick walls and vaulted ceilings. Once a beloved guesthouse for artists, actors, and travellers, the villa was carefully revived by hotelier Klaus Dissertori and designer Christina von Berg of Biquadra. Their approach was not to erase the past, but to reveal it through restored terrazzo, herringbone floors, original colours, and a collection of vintage furniture and antique-market finds. History remains visible. The atmosphere feels wonderfully alive.
Vintage Glamour, Quietly Reworked
The interiors balance nostalgia with contemporary restraint. Velvet sofas, botanical wallpapers, globe lighting, sage green, burnt terracotta, and mustard accents sit alongside oak floors, Lasa marble, and elegant Zucchetti fittings. Italian mid-century pieces add character without turning the villa into a period set. Every room feels curated. Nothing feels overly polished.
Ten Rooms, Each with Its Own Rhythm
The adults-only villa offers just ten rooms and suites. Because of the original architecture, no two layouts are alike. Some feature freestanding bathtubs, others generous sitting areas or views across the garden. Restored details are paired with contemporary comforts, creating interiors that feel intimate, personal, and closer to a private home than a conventional hotel. Luxury feels lived in. The scale remains deeply personal.
The Garden as a Way of Life
Outside, the garden becomes the heart of the property. A swimming pool added in the 1960s brings a touch of Slim Aarons glamour, complete with striped parasols, loungers, and a pool house serving breakfast and light meals. Mornings stretch into afternoons, with records playing, aperitivo poured into vintage glasses, and the Dolomites rising beyond the trees. Time slows naturally. The pool sets the pace.
South Tyrol at the Table
Food follows the same relaxed philosophy. Breakfast is served until noon, with homemade jams, fresh bread, pastries, and seasonal produce. Later, the kitchen prepares simple garden-to-table dishes, from fresh pasta and salads to fruit tarts and long-table barbecues beneath the pergola. For dinner, sister properties 1477 Reichhalter and Hotel Schwarzschmied extend the experience into the village. The food feels generous. The hospitality feels effortless.
Why It Works
Villa Arnica succeeds because it preserves the emotional character of a historic home while making it entirely relevant for today. Its restored architecture, playful vintage glamour, intimate scale, and sun-soaked garden create a retreat that feels both elegant and unforced. It is a place where heritage is not displayed, but lived.
