This is my honest Hotel Masl review, written after three nights at Hotel Masl in Valles, South Tyrol, in the last week of October 2026. It was a wonderful stay, and below I cover the suites, the adults only spa, the food, the Malga Fane hike, my best tips and the top things to do nearby in the Dolomites.
Hotel Masl has been welcoming guests since 1680, and it is still run by the same family today. If you’re looking for a cosy wellness hotel in the Dolomites with real Alpine soul, here’s everything you need to know before you book.
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Prefer to watch? Here is my full 4K video tour of Hotel Masl, from the Deluxe Suite and the adults only spa to the five course dinners and the Plose.
Table of Contents
Hotel Masl at a Glance
| Location | Valles (Vals), Rio di Pusteria, South Tyrol, Italy |
| My stay | 3 nights in late October 2026, Deluxe Suite with garden view |
| Best for | Couples, families, spa lovers and hikers |
| Rating | 4 star superior, family run since 1680 |
| Rooms | Suites and rooms from 35 to 80 m², some with a private sauna or whirlpool |
| Wellness | Adults only spa (14+), a separate Family Spa, indoor and outdoor pools |
| Dining | Half Board Plus with a five course dinner every evening |
| Nearby | Gitschberg Jochtal, Malga Fane, Brixen, Val di Funes |
Hotel Masl sits at around 1,300 metres in Valles, a sunny side valley above Rio di Pusteria in South Tyrol. It’s right next to the Gitschberg Jochtal ski and hiking area, part of Dolomiti Superski, and around 25 minutes by car from Brixen.
Use the map below to compare live prices at Hotel Masl and other hotels around Valles and the Dolomites.
Check prices and availability at Hotel Masl
First Impressions
Driving up into Valles in autumn felt like entering a postcard, and I was lucky with the weather too, with lovely sunny days for most of my stay. Golden larches, green meadows, wooden farmhouses and the peaks rising behind the village. Hotel Masl sits right in the middle of it all, and from the moment I walked in it felt warm, personal and completely relaxed.
This isn’t a big anonymous resort. You can feel the family history everywhere, from the old farm and the chapel to the way the team greets you by name. Within an hour I was in a bathrobe heading to the spa, and the trip had officially begun.
My Suite
I stayed in the Deluxe Suite with garden view. It was spacious, cosy and full of natural wood, with a comfortable king size bed and a lovely private outdoor space looking out over the garden, the valley and the mountains.
It was the perfect place to come back to after a day of hiking. Morning coffee outside with the mountain air, a long shower, then straight down to the spa.
Good to know: If you want the full private spa experience, book one of the suites with their own sauna, such as the Suite Natura, Suite Terrazza or Masl Suite. Some even come with a private whirlpool.
The Adults Only Spa
The wellness area is the heart of Hotel Masl, and it’s even better now that the brand new adults only spa is open. It’s reserved for guests aged 14 and over, so it stays calm and quiet all day.
- Outdoor pool: 20 by 8 metres with bubble beds and mountain views
- Indoor pool: brand new, with a whirlpool zone
- Heated pool: 36°C in the sauna area, perfect on a cold autumn evening
- Saunas: a Finnish infusion sauna, an outdoor log cabin sauna and a rock steam bath
- Fire and Snow: a relaxation area with a snow sauna and a spring water plunge pool
- Relaxation: a light filled panoramic relaxation room and a garden with sun loungers
My favourite ritual was an Aufguss session in the Finnish sauna followed by a cold plunge, then floating in the warm pool while the light faded over the mountains. Pure bliss.
Don’t miss: The Aufguss sessions, the themed sauna infusions held twice a day in the Finnish infusion sauna. The sauna master pours scented water over the hot stones and waves the heat around the room with a towel, and it feels like a proper show. Check the schedule when you arrive so you can plan your spa time around them.
The Family Spa
Travelling with kids? Hotel Masl has a completely separate Family Spa, with a 33°C family pool and a wide wave slide, a toddler pool, three family saunas and child friendly treatments. It means families get a brilliant space of their own, and couples get a peaceful adults only spa. Everyone wins.
Dining at Hotel Masl
Stays come with the hotel’s Half Board Plus, and it’s generous. The food was absolutely incredible, from breakfast right through to dinner. You could easily spend three nights here without needing a single meal outside.
Breakfast
A big buffet full of local South Tyrolean products, fresh omelettes from the show kitchen and a champagne breakfast with salmon. The perfect fuel before a day in the mountains.
Afternoon Snack
Every afternoon there are South Tyrolean snacks and homemade cakes. Coming back from a hike to a slice of cake and a coffee is exactly what autumn in the Dolomites should feel like.
The Five Course Dinner
Dinner is a five course menu every evening, mixing Alpine cuisine with Mediterranean dishes and plenty of local, seasonal ingredients. [ADD: your favourite dish of the stay]
Masl Bar and Wine Lounge
Before dinner, the Masl Bar is the place for an aperitivo. A glass of South Tyrolean wine by the bar is the best way to start the evening.
Hiking to Malga Fane
One of the most special things about Hotel Masl is that the family owns an old mountain hut at Malga Fane, a centuries old Alpine village of more than 35 huts at the end of the Valles valley. It’s one of the most beautiful places in South Tyrol.
Once a week the hotel runs a guided hike up to the hut. The walk takes about two hours, and at the top you’re welcomed with a traditional mountain snack of cheese, smoked bacon, pickled vegetables from the farm garden and a glass of wine. The hotel shuttle brings you back down.
Tip: Ask at reception which day the Malga Fane hike runs and plan the rest of your stay around it.
What’s Included in Your Stay
Hotel Masl includes a lot in the price, which makes it great value for a 4 star superior hotel in the Dolomites.
- Half Board Plus with breakfast, afternoon snacks and a five course dinner
- Full use of the spa, pools, saunas and Technogym fitness studio
- A garage parking space for every room
- Guided hikes on weekdays and the weekly hike to Malga Fane
- Free hiking poles, mountain bikes and tennis court in summer
- The AlmenCard with extra guest perks in the area
The Service
This is where a family hotel really shines, and the staff were absolutely incredible. The Messner family and their team made me feel like a guest in their home rather than a room number. Every request was handled with a smile, and their tips for hikes and viewpoints were spot on.
What I Loved Most About Hotel Masl
- The spa: a calm adults only space with indoor and outdoor pools and a snow sauna
- The history: a family hotel welcoming guests since 1680
- The food: generous Half Board Plus with a five course dinner every night
- Malga Fane: a hike to the family’s own mountain hut
- The value: so much included in the price
What Could Be Better?
Very little. Valles is a quiet village, so you’ll need a car to explore the most famous Dolomites viewpoints, which are around 45 minutes to an hour away. If you want a big choice of restaurants and nightlife on your doorstep, this isn’t the place. But if you want peace, mountains and a great spa, that’s exactly the point.
Who Is Hotel Masl Best For?
- Couples looking for a cosy spa escape in the Dolomites
- Families, thanks to the Family Spa, kids club and farm animals
- Hikers who want trails straight from the door
- Skiers who want direct access to Gitschberg Jochtal in winter
- Anyone who loves authentic, family run Alpine hospitality
Where Else to Stay in the Dolomites
Hotel Masl is a brilliant choice for South Tyrol, but if you want something different, these are two other Dolomites stays I loved.
Lefay Resort & SPA Dolomiti
Best for luxury wellness. A big, beautiful spa resort in Pinzolo, Trentino, perfect for a full wellness retreat. Read my full Lefay Dolomiti review.
Chalet al Foss
Best for a romantic hideaway. A cosy chalet stay in Vermiglio, Trentino, surrounded by forest and mountains. I stayed two nights and it was absolutely incredible.
How Long Should You Stay at Hotel Masl?
I stayed three nights and it was a great amount of time. It gave me a full day for the Malga Fane hike, a day trip up the Plose and plenty of slow hours in the spa. If you want to see more of the Dolomites, four or five nights would be ideal.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Hotel Masl?
- Autumn (September to early November): my pick. Golden larches, crisp sunny days, quieter trails and Törggelen season
- Summer (June to August): perfect for hiking, biking and the outdoor pool
- Winter (December to March): skiing on Gitschberg Jochtal, sledging and snowy spa days
My Hotel Masl Tips
1. Book a suite with a private sauna
For a special occasion, the suites with their own sauna or whirlpool take the stay to another level.
2. Plan around the Malga Fane hike
It only runs once a week, so check the day before you arrive.
3. Bring a car
Valles is peaceful and beautiful, but a car makes it easy to reach Val di Funes, Lago di Braies and the Seiser Alm.
4. Save room for dinner
Between breakfast, afternoon cake and five courses at night, you won’t need lunch most days.
5. Take the cable car up the Plose
My top recommendation for a day out. We drove 38 minutes from Hotel Masl to the Plose above Brixen and took the cable car up from Sant’Andrea. The views across the Dolomites were insane. Even better, Hotel Masl gave us a free Plose pass for the whole length of our stay, so we could ride the cable car up as many times as we wanted. Go on a clear morning and bring a warm layer, as it is much colder at the top.
Top 10 Things to Do Near Hotel Masl
Hotel Masl is a brilliant base for exploring South Tyrol and the Dolomites. These are the experiences I’d recommend most.
1. Hike to Malga Fane
A fairytale Alpine village of old wooden huts at the end of the Valles valley, and the hotel’s own mountain hut.
2. Ride the lifts at Gitschberg Jochtal
Panoramic trails in summer and autumn, and great skiing in winter, all right next to the hotel.
3. See Santa Maddalena in Val di Funes
The little church in front of the jagged Odle peaks is one of the most iconic views in the Dolomites.
4. Explore Brixen old town
Arcaded streets, the cathedral, cafés and shops, just a short drive from Valles.
Brixen vineyard hike with wine tasting
5. Visit Neustift Abbey
A stunning abbey near Brixen with its own winery, famous for crisp white wines.
Neustift Abbey admission with audio guide
6. Go Törggelen in autumn
A South Tyrolean autumn tradition of new wine, roasted chestnuts and hearty food in farmhouse taverns.
South Tyrol culinary tour from Brixen
7. Walk around Lago di Braies
The famous emerald lake is around an hour away. Go early to beat the crowds.
Lago di Braies photo shoot with a local photographer
8. Hike the Seiser Alm
Europe’s largest high Alpine meadow, with easy trails and incredible views of the Sassolungo.
Private guided Alpe di Siusi hike from Ortisei
9. Ride the cable car up the Plose
Just 38 minutes by car from the hotel, the Plose cable car takes you up for amazing views across the Dolomites. The hotel gave us a free pass that lasted our whole stay, so we could go up more than once. One of my favourite moments of the trip.
Plose tandem paragliding flight over the mountains
10. Ski Gitschberg Jochtal in winter
Direct lift and slope access from the hotel, plus a practice lift for beginners right next door.
Is Hotel Masl Worth It?
Yes, absolutely.
Hotel Masl is the kind of place that feels like a secret. A beautiful spa, generous food, a real family story and the mountains right outside your door. For a relaxing autumn escape in the Dolomites, I couldn’t recommend it more.
Check prices and availability at Hotel Masl
Hotel Masl FAQs
Is Hotel Masl worth it?
Yes. It’s a 4 star superior family hotel with a great adults only spa, Half Board Plus with a five course dinner and lots of extras included, which makes it excellent value for the Dolomites.
Where is Hotel Masl?
Hotel Masl is in Valles (Vals), above Rio di Pusteria in South Tyrol, Italy. It sits at around 1,300 metres next to the Gitschberg Jochtal ski and hiking area, about 25 minutes by car from Brixen.
Is Hotel Masl adults only?
No. The hotel welcomes families, but it has a separate adults only spa for guests aged 14 and over, plus a dedicated Family Spa for kids.
Do rooms at Hotel Masl have a private sauna?
Some do. The Suite Natura, Suite Terrazza, Suite Paradiso and Masl Suite have their own sauna, and some also include a private whirlpool.
Is half board included at Hotel Masl?
Yes. Stays include Half Board Plus, with a breakfast buffet, afternoon snacks and cakes, and a five course dinner every evening. Drinks and lunch are extra.
Is Hotel Masl good for skiing?
Yes. The hotel has a direct lift and slope connection to Gitschberg Jochtal, part of Dolomiti Superski, plus a ski room with boot dryers.
How many nights should you stay at Hotel Masl?
I stayed three nights and it was perfect for the spa, the Malga Fane hike and a day trip up the Plose. Stay four or five nights if you want to explore more of the Dolomites.
Is Hotel Masl good for families?
Very. There’s a Family Spa with a wave slide, a toddler pool, a large outdoor children’s world with a petting zoo, a teen room and kids’ programmes in summer and winter.
