Matteo Thun has designed the new wing of Hotel Bella Vista in Trafoi.
Set to open in May 2026, the project interprets the dialogue between nature and architecture in the heart of Stelvio National Park.
Located at the foot of Ortler – the highest peak in South Tyrol at 3,905 meters – in the heart of Stelvio National Park, the family run hotel traces its roots back to 1875. Now, its new wing takes inspiration from the idea of a ‘nest’ in the mountains, combining contemporary design, high-altitude panoramas and new spaces dedicated to wellbeing.
This project originates from a childhood memory of eagles over Trafoi and the silence of the mountains. At the foot of Ortler, a contemporary nest takes shape – a light and intimate architecture that integrates seamlessly into the alpine landscape. “Each space is designed as an opening to nature so that the true protagonist always remains the landscape,” explains Thun.
Connected to the historic building, the new wing features a light exterior wooden structure and an organic architecture that blends with the surrounding nature. Large windows frame views of the peaks of Stelvio and the Engadin Dolomites, dissolving the boundary between interior and exterior and bringing the panoramas into the hotel spaces.
The building frames nature as a protagonist rather than a backdrop, and combines contemporary design and local tradition to deliver a nest in the mountains where architecture is constantly in dialogue with the surrounding landscape.
The expansion was developed in phases – while the architectural project is signed by Matteo Thun & Partners, the interiors were curated by architect Christina Biasi von Berg of Studio Biquadra in Merano, a long-time collaborator of Matteo Thun, and the structural, executive and urban planning aspects were overseen by engineer Wolfgang Oberdörfer.
The first phase, completed in December 2025, created the new lounge bar with a fireplace, ‘Home of Gold’: an intimate and enveloping space that tells the sporting history of Gustav Thöni and the legendary ‘Valanga Azzurra’. It is not only a convivial space but also an architectural narrative, where the warmth of the fire and natural materials converse with the memories of an era that shaped skiing worldwide.
At the same time, the new reception was completed, designed as a connection point between the historic 1875 building and the new wing – a transitional space symbolising continuity between past and present, alpine tradition and contemporary vision.
With the opening in May 2026, the experience is further expanded with 24 new suites facing the imposing Stelvio landscape. Large panoramic windows frame the peaks, while interiors offer seating and relaxation areas where natural light becomes a design element. Each suite is conceived as an observatory over the mountains – a quiet retreat where the view becomes part of the living space.
In the new project, wellbeing is a natural extension of the landscape. Among the innovations is a large wellness area reserved for adults, with a spa and a relaxation zone fully immersed in the mountains. The infinity pool opens toward the Trafoi Canyon like a suspended terrace, while a large panoramic window frames the peaks and enhances the sense of depth in the view.
Next to the pool is a large hot tub with landscape views, yoga and fitness rooms, and four new saunas: infrared, bio-sauna, Turkish bath and family sauna. The ‘Fire and Ice’ relaxation area features a fireplace and snow shower, providing a sensory experience. Outside, the panoramic sauna finds a new location immersed in nature, next to a small natural lake fed by a spring on the property.
The outdoor ‘Nature Arena’, a relaxation area that embraces the surrounding mountains, invites contemplation and reconnection with the rhythms of the environment. Families also have dedicated spaces, including a children’s pool, family sauna and the adventure slide ‘Waterfall’.
“For me, it is an incredible emotion to see this project realised together with my friend Matteo,” says Olympic champion Gustav Thöni, who co-owns the hotel with his family and shares a long-standing friendship with Thun. “We have talked about it for years, and finally seeing it come to life here in Trafoi is something unique. It is a symbol of a friendship that endures over time and the love we share for these mountains. We have also finally given the legendary ‘Valanga Azzurra’ its own beautiful space.”
