Hotel Montchalet — Hotel in Salten-Schlern - Salto-Sciliar

I don't often wake up in 5-star circumstances. But ... wow!

My four days in the Hotel MonteChalet have led me to revise my thinking. It was a restful refuge; the experience of such an exemplary level of service was a reassuring delight. And the environment! The picturesque beauty of the Dolomites, walking and looking and creating such memories.

MonteChalet isn't a big Hotel. Less than thirty rooms. But it is very modern and well thought out, with long balconies looking out over the town below and to the mountains over the river. It's a spa, which means the showers in our room were a Star Trek transporter control of aromatic options, variable jet pressure, music, lights, and spray. Our welcome fruit plate was delicious. The mattresses were just firm enough to help us remember the hike and soft enough to help us forget. Our cup, each time we came down for the excellent breakfast, and returned from a day in the mountains, runneth over.

It was our first time in the Dolomites. Friends had spoken highly of the place. But each day in a new place is an adventure. And we were constantly buoyed by the knowledge and enthusiasm of the MonteChalet staff. From the desk staff checking us in and out, the chap who drove us down to town and back again, the restaurant staff who guided us as to what was local, what was good, and especially what was local and good. Can't speak highly enough of them.

But why this place, to bring you to this Hotel? Wow. We were there in Summer and therefore can't report on the snow sport. But in July? The long rides up in gondolas to broad alpine meadows, walks through wildflowers and such varied livestock (cattle, goats, donkeys, lamas), a refreshing light beer and fries at a dark wood chalet worthy of a Sound of.Music out-take. This modestly well traveled pilgrim will never forget it.

Go there. If you can afford it (and it was surprisingly reasonable) spend some money and let yourself be taken care of. If only while you are there.

Will recommend....

Let me start with the strong points: the small hotel is beautiful, it looks great from the outside, the bar has a coolness to it, the pool is gorgeous, the spa is of a high standard and the room that we stayed in was also very pleasant, with a jacuzzi outside and a sauna and haman. The beds are good, nice big tv. Everything you expect from a luxury boutique 5 star hotel. Lastly, the staff is very helpful and kind always with a smile. Particularly the drivers that bring you to the ski lifts and the sommelier are very attentive.|Then the points that unfortunately drive my overall impression:|First and foremost the food is very average, the breakfast is limited in choice and for an inclusive half board to have to pay 10 euros for avocado, no home-made jam, limited selection and variety of bread is below my expectations, especially as this hotel is quite pricy. The dinner is very disappointing in choice, variety and quality. We were there on new years eve and didn’t want to join the 300 Euro extra charge per person for a long sit, but preferred to do our own thing. Consequently, we were charged for the burger we asked for, which was added to the bill (despite our half board). The charge was only reversed after we asked. We didn’t feel particularly welcome on that evening. Then the bar man told us on the first day that we couldn’t play cards, because if someone cool would come in and order a 1000 Euro bottle of champagne they wouldn’t appreciate us guests playing cards in the bar. I found it hard to overcome my first impression of the staff at the bar, even though the rest of the stay they were very pleasant.|So summarizing, despite the pleasant staff and the beauty of the hotel we didn’t really feel very welcomed and I find the price not in balance with what is offered,...

The hotel is small but very well curated. I got the room with the cinema and jacuzzi and I must say it was a great room, and very comfortable. Apart from the heating which we could not lower so it was very very warm and we had to sleep with the windows open. The staff was friendly especially the staff that would bring us every day to and from the ski lifts. The service was great. We were there for New Year's and we did not opt to join the Gala dinner, but they forgot to mention that if you did not join the dinner you would not be able to eat since restaurant and bar were all taken for the dinner. So we ended up eating in our room - having to order from the room service menu. They even charged us for it when we paid half board...it would have made sense if they either made it mandatory or they make sure to take care of those guests that do not want to participate...We were very disappointed by the food, with the money you pay to stay here you would expect a certain level but unfortunately it was quite mediocre and sometimes quite ridiculous ( my veal cutlet was like the sole of a shoe...) I save the best for last, at the bar we were told we could not play cards with our child (if every hotel in the world we have never experienced this - one would think they would want people to stay at the bar and order drinks..) since it was not "cool" to play cards in their bar when there are people ordering 1000 euros worth of champagne....Unbelievable..I have been to the best hotels in the world where people spend much more and no one dared tell us we could not play cards at the bar. Frankly even though the hotel is charming, and the rooms nice, that is where it ends. I...