Paradiso Pure Living Vegan Hotel

Hotel Paradiso is exactly that--paradise! This was our third visit to the hotel, but our first with a large group of nine friends and we all had the best experience! Half of the group is vegan, while the other half is not, but Chef Aggeliki's delicious food definitely converted everyone! The rooms are comfortable and have everything you need, the ski-in/ski-out access in winter is excellent, and the spa was the perfect place to come back to at the end of the day. Our waiters Tommy and Rooney were especially wonderful in making us feel welcome and 'at home' every day at breakfast and dinner. We can't wait to visit again soon! P.S. The best way to get there is to fly into Innsbruck and either hire a car or transfer service to Compatsch, where the hotel comes to pick you up (in winter).

Where to start...firstly the beautiful, recently retrofitted hotel sits at 2000 m altitude next to a lovely piste in the middle of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site. The skiing is gorgeous: wide, well kept pistes under impossible blue skies are a reason enough to be here. The hotel is run by a family that also owns two other vegan hotels in Italy and is as serious about hospitality as they are about sustainability and, of course, food. The team is lovely, friendly and helpful, rooms are comfortable without being ostentatious and the hotel is filled with contemporary art including by a number of artists who have taken residence here since it reopened. And then the food. Impossiblytalented chef Aggeliki Charami who also runs the kitchen at the Koukoumi hotel im Mykonos in the summer, has been in charge since last year as Paradiso transitioned to fully vegan - no mean feat in South Tyroll (or mountains in general!). Aggeliki and her team produce food of impossibly high standards, inspired by her native Greece, Italy and everywhere in between. Half board includes buffet breakfast (pumpkin porridge was a revelation), filo pastries stuffed with everything from herbs to peppers, excellent tofu scramble, fantastic selection of pastries (cream filled croissant anyone?) and a desert table heaving under crumbles, creamy tarts and chocolate delights. Alo included is the dinner: a five course symphony of high end cooking mastery that changes daily with a 9 day rotation: last night there was a delicious cheesy foccacia to start - probably the best I ever had, followed by a version of the Ceasar said after which there were chickpeas in celery broth and the most sublime seitan lasagna i have ever tasted. Finished of by millefoglie with pistachio ganache and yuzy cream. It is insane. There is also a la carte lunch available that has pizzas, vegan fried egg, bao buns and my personal favourite, gnudi pasta a la carbonara - so good I had it twice in a week. Which is 2 out of 3 lunches I actually managed to squeeze into my seriously expanded waistline. I absolutely enjoyed everything and so did the non vegan guests who were certainly the majority last night. The very much non vegan people aplauded the chef as one would a rock star. And this evening I am looking forward to my Omnia fine dining (as if everything else wasn't) 9 course experience that I will write about separately. I could not be happier - thank you Paradiso and Chef!

This location is magical and part of the Unesco World Heritage Site. This is my first time visiting the mountains during summer and now hooked. . The views are stunning and you are literally located in the middle of the mountain so you can ski/hike from the moment you step out of the hotel. We hired electric bikes with endless exploring stopping off for Aperol Spritz at the many mountain cafes. The hotel is unique with an incredible curation of art work. My fav was the electric blue huge snails creeping up the hotel. This certainly prevented me from getting lost. The vegan food is exceptional . Daily early morning swims , yoga classes , saunas and steam room made this trip complete. The Relaxing Floating Experience is a must ! If you can play the piano then you will love the lounge too. Will 100 % be back with many more friends. Perfect Holiday ! Oh and the best vegan croissants I have EVER had !

Fabulous hotel in an impressive part of the world, full of fun outdoor activities, brilliant spa, sauna, steam rooms, pool and delicious food!!!! Love all the eclectic art, the yoga classes and the friendly staff. Will definitely go back.