In Northern Italy, in South Tyrol is a place called Valdaora/Olang, famous for its great hiking, biking, skiing and breathtaking views. There, at the foot of the Kronplatz Mountain, lies the Hotel Hubertus by NOA*, transformed from a small inn into a beautifully designed hotel and wellness destination. Surrounded by the Dolomites the lovely hotel with its cantilevered swimming pool is likely to make many a bucket list.

Hotel Hubertus by NOA*

The Alpin Panorama Hubertus Hotel, aka Hotel Hubertus, is a family-run hotel with great appeal for its architecture, its accommodations and all that the surrounding landscape has to offer in both summer and winter.

In 2016, the Gasser family were given the opportunity to take over the original family establishment, then a cozy little two-star inn. Through renovation and renewal with NOA*- Network of Architecture , they transformed it into the larger, award-winning Alpin Panorama Hubertus Hotel.

Designer NOA*- Network of Architecture felt the key challenge in the project was to create a link between the existing building and the new design, in order to keep a uniform and consistent appearance.

A new entrance, lobby and reception, 16 new suites, a new kitchen with multiple restaurants, a wine cellar, spa, fitness and a relaxation room with panoramic terraces are just a few of the generous additions to the original.

The fluid shape of the building’s design follows the topography of the existing slope and steep contour lines of the landscape. This is the main influence for the design process and is evident on the outside and inside of the building.

The tree trunks (made of native debarked lark) seen all around the hotel’s facade and under the 25m long cantilevered pool serve several purposes both aesthetically and structurally. They create a visual link between the old and the new and support the dynamics of the undulating façade which also function as sun screens, room dividers and rain protectors.

Perforated, powder-coated metal balustrades replace the old wooden ones and provide access to the view while at the same time enhancing the feeling of privacy. The use of a warm, gray brown earth tones is derived from the color palette of the surrounding landscape.

On the hotel’s website, self-proclaimed architecture enthusiast, proprietor Christian Gasser claims the semi-circular extension and the extraordinary Sky Pool were his idea.

The highlight of the Hubertus Hotel is the new Sky Pool, floating like a natural rock jutting out over the new wing. Without any visible borders, a width of 5m, a length of 25m and a depth of 1.30m the cantilevered pool is completely unique.

The pool, which floats 12m above the ground, has a glass front and the inset glazed window on the bottom of the pool giving the swimmer the feeling of floating weightlessly between heaven and earth.

“The new pool, which imposingly rests in-between the two accommodation wings, seems like a floating rock, come to rest at the site, overlooking the valley. The hidden edges of the pool, kept in anthracite-colored stone, abolish the gap between pool and landscape, creating the impression of the water flowing into nothing, disappearing between pool and landscape.”- NOA*

The hotel has several other pools as well as a complete spa with indoor pool, a gym, seven saunas, relaxation rooms, reading room and a Pavilion of Peace.

The circular relaxation room is fully glazed and covered radially with wooden beams, distributed to allow for excellent views through the glass roof.

When it comes to accommodations in the new extension there are several different suites and rooms, all decorated in warm earth tones and lark wood. Modern wood burning stoves in the rooms create a living room atmosphere, while debarked wooden room dividers create a link to the exterior and its façade.

The hotel has 6 different restaurants and lots of beautiful places to get a drink like the a bar, fireplace lounge, terrace lounge and more.

Great for couples or families with children, there’s so much to do in the area all year round.

Hotel Hubertus

photos by Alex Filz, courtesy of Archello and NOA and Hotel Hubertus