In the traditional hotel, old meets new

We took great care to transfer the elegance and stylish ambience of the main house to the addition. And it is the harmony between the historic component and the modern accents which highlights the uniqueness of this idyllic place. Love of detail is reflected throughout the hotel. The elegance and grace of the two buildings are part of what makes your stay with us in San Vigilio a special experience.

Read more about the history and development of our traditional hotel:

Art Nouveau and Modern Architecture
Charm and Comfort at Hotel Monte Sella

Here, in the very heart of the Dolomites, lies the Hotel Monte Sella—a serene retreat set against an extraordinary backdrop in San Vigilio di Marebbe. One immediately feels transported to another era. The building itself tells stories of adventures and historic events, of a devoted family of hosts, and of the unmistakable charm of an alpine village.
Norbert Cristofolini, owner of the historic Hotel Monte Sella, shares insights into its early years, the challenging moments, and his deep connection to this unique establishment.

Let us start at the beginning: “The Dolomites were discovered somewhat later than other Alpine regions.” About 150 years ago, English mountaineers and travel writers became captivated by the striking peaks and unmatched rock formations that continue to fascinate visitors today.
Books such as The Dolomite Mountains by Josiah Gilbert and George C. Churchill (London, 1864) and the groundbreaking Wanderungen in den Dolomiten by Paul Grohmann (Vienna, 1877) ignited widespread curiosity far beyond the world of adventurers.

Another decisive factor was the arrival of the railway, which reached the Puster Valley in 1871, opening the Dolomites to visitors from the north. Distinguished guests, daring alpinists, and curious travelers ventured deeper into remote valleys and up to lofty peaks.
By the late 19th century, the first alpine refuges appeared. Expectations grew, and soon more refined accommodation was needed in the villages. It was precisely during this time—1903—that the Hotel Monte Sella was founded.

Cristofolini provides a glimpse into the building’s origins: “The first owners, Maria and Josef Mutschlechner, were responsible for the postal service in San Vigilio and already ran another substantial property, the Hotel Post.”
The structure, designed by master builder Alois Clara of Longiarù Campill (1873–1972), has remained almost entirely intact apart from necessary updates. “It is thanks to my father, Giovanni Cristofolini, that the hotel was neither radically modernised nor, worse, demolished. We were spared the anonymous architecture of the 1970s and 1980s.”

The character of the building is distinctive: a harmonious, understated blend of Jugendstil, Liberty style and Art Nouveau.
The impressive structure rises above a stone-clad lower ground floor, with an elegant raised ground floor, two upper levels and rendered gables. The yellow and red painted wooden balconies emphasise the house’s refined character. On the northern façade, a polygonal stair tower with a pointed roof immediately catches the eye and lends the building its unmistakable silhouette.

“Through the original entrance door, our guests reach the vestibule, whose walls feature murals uncovered about twenty years ago. Interestingly, the motifs show imaginary mountains rather than the picturesque village and Dolomite peaks around us,” says Cristofolini.
He continues: “We also reconstructed the original terrazzo floors in the entrance area.”

The gracefully curved staircase—stone steps, wrought-iron railings and wooden handrails—extends to the third floor, in keeping with the late historicist style. The original bell used to signal mealtimes still hangs there today.

During World War I, like many distinguished hotels in the region, Monte Sella was used as a military hospital for officers, as San Vigilio lay close to the Dolomite front.
The post-war years were difficult, but little by little the hotel regained momentum. Advertising posters from the 1930s by renowned graphic artist Franz Lehnhart show that a winter season was introduced for the first time. Before the war, the hotel had opened only in summer.
Many guests came from Germany and often visited the nearby thermal facility “Bad Cortina”.

During World War II, the hotel was again occupied, this time by the German Wehrmacht. After the war, Giovanni Cristofolini—Norbert’s father—inherited the hotel together with his siblings.
This marked the beginning of a true love story that connected several generations to the Monte Sella.

“My parents, Giovanni and Olga, cared lovingly for the house and its guests and guided the hotel through the turbulent 1970s and 1980s.”
Then it was Norbert’s turn: “I was young, only 25. Around the turn of the millennium, we planned our first extension, a wooden structure that now houses the kitchen, the new dining room and several rooms.”

The careful proportions and respectful distance from the historic building make the extension feel like a natural enhancement.
Ten years later, another addition followed—a gently curving structure embracing the garden and connecting harmoniously to the original building. Here, the new wellness area was created, featuring a pool, saunas, beauty rooms and additional guest rooms. The wooden construction recalls, in a contemporary and abstract way, the winter gardens and dining halls typical of the early 1900s.

“Treating the protected historic building with respect has always been my top priority. We succeeded in integrating the new structures without taking away the character of the original house,” Cristofolini notes.

Today, the historic wing of the Monte Sella offers 35 individually designed rooms. Carefully selected antique furnishings give the house its distinctive soul.
Past and present come together here in a harmonious and charming whole—an atmosphere that continues to delight guests from around the world.

Sources:
Cronaca Hotel Monte Sella, Norbert Cristofolini;
“The Historic Hospitality Award of South Tyrol” – Recognition by the Foundation of the South Tyrolean Savings Bank in collaboration with the Provincial Office for Historic Preservation and the Hoteliers and Innkeepers Association – Special Award 2016, Hotel Monte Sella.