Hotel Engel Gourmet & Spa
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Hotel Details
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Hotel Engel Gourmet & Spa · Nova Levante, Italy
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Key Highlights
- ✓Exceptional Wellness Facilities: A modern and expansive wellness center with indoor and multiple outdoor pools, saunas, and a wide array of treatments is a major highlight.
Expert Review: Hotel Engel Gourmet & Spa
Hotel Engel Gourmet & Spa, Nova Levante: A Comprehensive Review of a Michelin Key Selected Property
Hotel Engel Gourmet & Spa in Nova Levante, Italy, stands out as a highly-regarded Michelin Key Selected property, consistently praised for its exceptional service, gourmet dining, and extensive wellness offerings amidst the stunning Dolomites. Guests frequently highlight the hotel's ability to blend luxurious comfort with a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
The general consensus for Hotel Engel Gourmet & Spa is overwhelmingly positive, with high ratings across various platforms. Booking.com scores reflect exceptional guest satisfaction, particularly for staff (9.9/10), facilities (9.6/10), and comfort (9.2/10). Similarly, Trip.com rates it 9.1/10 based on 43 reviews, acknowledging its "outstanding blend of quality and value." While an Expedia rating shows 8.2/10, many individual reviews are "Excellent" (10/10), reinforcing a strong positive sentiment towards the hotel's offerings.
2. Key Highlights
Guests consistently laud the Hotel Engel for several standout features:
- Gourmet Dining: The presence of the Michelin-starred Johannesstube restaurant is a significant draw, offering an exquisite culinary journey.
- Exceptional Wellness Facilities: A modern and expansive wellness center with indoor and multiple outdoor pools, saunas, and a wide array of treatments is a major highlight.
- Panoramic Location: The hotel's setting in Nova Levante provides breathtaking panoramic views of the Dolomites, specifically nestled between the Rosengarten and Latemare Mountains.
- Impeccable Service: The staff's friendliness, attentiveness, and willingness to cater to guest needs receive consistent high praise.
- Refurbished Areas: Recent renovations have introduced new, cozy, and modern elements in the restaurant, bar, lounge, and dedicated children's areas.
3. Room Quality
Rooms at Hotel Engel Gourmet & Spa are described as spacious and classically furnished, with most featuring a balcony that offers views of the surrounding mountain scenery. Standard amenities include a mini-bar and flat-screen TV. For enhanced comfort, rooms boast premium bedding, Frette Italian sheets, pillowtop mattresses, hypoallergenic bedding, and pillow menus. Guests are often advised to inquire about recently refurbished rooms for an even more attractive and elegant experience. However, one guest reported an uncomfortable "king size bed" made of two single mattresses pushed together and noted the absence of air conditioning.
4. Dining Experience
The dining experience is a cornerstone of the Hotel Engel, living up to its "Gourmet" designation. The hotel hosts two on-site restaurants, including the highly acclaimed Johannesstube, which has been awarded a Michelin star and is celebrated for its gourmet cuisine and South Tyrol specialties. The main hotel restaurant offers a generous buffet breakfast, light lunch, and an afternoon buffet, culminating in a diverse dinner menu curated by Head Chef Philip Lochmann, with three different options daily. Guests appreciate the focus on select, regional, local, and homemade ingredients, including fantastic homemade jams. The culinary team also caters to various dietary needs, offering vegan, vegetarian, Ayurvedic, gluten-free, and lactose-free dishes upon request. An extensive cellar houses over 600 wines, expertly recommended by sommelier Johannes Kohler.
5. Service & Staff
The service and staff at Hotel Engel Gourmet & Spa consistently receive outstanding feedback, earning an impressive 9.9/10 for staff on Booking.com. Guests frequently describe the team as "very friendly," "helpful," "accommodating," and remarkably "attentive," with some feeling that staff anticipate their wishes. The "perfect service from the restaurant chef" and "excellent service in general" are often highlighted as key contributors to a memorable stay.
6. Location & Accessibility
Nestled in Nova Levante, the hotel boasts an enviable location amidst the breathtaking Dolomites, specifically between the Rosengarten and Latemare Mountains. This picturesque setting makes it an ideal base for outdoor enthusiasts, offering easy access to trekking, mountain biking, and skiing, with ski-in/out access and a complimentary ski shuttle available. Nearby attractions include Malga Hagner Alm, Parco giochi, and Schwimmbad Welschnofen, all within a kilometer. Bolzano Airport is approximately 26.9 km away (a 33-minute drive), and a train station pick-up shuttle service is available for a surcharge.
7. Value & Pricing
While Hotel Engel Gourmet & Spa offers a luxury experience, many guests feel it provides excellent value for money, reflected in a Booking.com score of 8.7/10 for this category. Prices can vary, with some listings showing rates starting from US$282, representing an "outstanding blend of quality and value." However, a one-night stay for two adults can also be found starting from approximately $546.49. The hotel frequently offers special promotions, such as "4 days = pay 3" or "3 days = pay 2" during specific periods, which can enhance its perceived value.
8. Common Complaints
Despite the overwhelmingly positive reviews, a few recurring minor criticisms have been noted:
- Lack of Air Conditioning: Some guests have reported that rooms do not have air conditioning, which could be a concern during warmer summer months.
- Bedding Configuration: A specific complaint mentioned "bad bedding" where two single mattresses were joined to form a king-size bed, leading to discomfort for couples.
- Booking Spa/Restaurant in Advance: Some guests experienced difficulty securing last-minute appointments for spa treatments or reservations at the Michelin-starred Johannesstube upon arrival, suggesting that advance booking is highly recommended for these popular amenities.
- Outdoor Noise: A few reports mention some outdoor noise from a nearby wood factory that might occasionally affect relaxation in the outdoor pool area.
- Personal Taste in Gourmet Food: While overall dining quality is praised, one guest noted that the gourmet menu, despite being "exquisite," was "not for us personally," indicating that haute cuisine can sometimes be a matter of individual preference.
Sources
Points to Consider
- •Despite the overwhelmingly positive reviews, a few recurring minor criticisms have been noted:
- •Lack of Air Conditioning: Some guests have reported that rooms do not have air conditioning, which could be a concern during warmer summer months.
- •Bedding Configuration: A specific complaint mentioned "bad bedding" where two single mattresses were joined to form a king-size bed, leading to discomfort for couples.
Google Reviews
416 reviews
Recent Guest Reviews
L Y
We’ve been to varies family hotels through south Tirol. Engel just fulfilled all lovely details of being family-friendly. My 4 months baby enjoyed there as comfortable as like home, baby chair and babywagen are top brands which are very secure, therefore we were able to have a peaceful time. My 6 years old daughter loves Happy Club, where a modern designed playroom. It’s not ultra entertained but ...
Response from the owner
Dear Guest,<br><br>thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing your family experience with us. It means a lot to know that both your little one and your older daughter felt so comfortable an...
Laura Chang
July 2022: Mixed experience for a holiday we wanted to treat ourselves to after just getting married. The location is gorgeous and the spa facilities are great. My partner and I booked full-board and enjoyed the food. While we were visiting, most of the guests appeared to be families or older couples. I'm not sure if it's because we are not German or the targeted client demographic, but we often d...
Response from the owner
Dear Mrs. Chang,<br><br>thank you for re-sharing your feedback from your visit last year. We'd like to kindly remind you that we had previously responded to your review and addressed your concerns. We...
Timea Erzsebet
It would be 5* but quality of food wasn’t that great let it down a bit and also overpriced for the “room standards”: mini bar was empty and also turned off, tried to call reception around 11pm to order some food but no one picked up, so no food ordered. Rooms are quiet average but nice though. View from our room was spectacular. The best thing we liked was the kindness of the staff from the restau...
Response from the owner
Dear Mrs Erzbet,<br>we are glad you appreciated our wellness area and panorama, as well as the staff and cuisine.<br>As far as the rooms and food are concerned, we will do our best to improve the aspe...
Stella
The Pros: the staff is super kind and helpful, the owner is personally highly involved, the Ayurveda detox is very professionally done with tasty food, the fine dining restaurant is exceptional, the massages are very nice. The Cons: the SPA area is very nice but on the smaller side compared to other Alpine SPA hotels I’ve been to, there’s a wood factory very close by, so lying by the outdoor pool...
Response from the owner
Dear Mrs. Stella,<br><br>thank you very much for your stay at the engel and for the time you took to share your experience.<br>We are pleased that you enjoyed the detox programme, the food and the tre...
Jayne Lee-Wright
The Ayurveda treatment and dietary programme are very professionally designed and managed to each individuals' needs. The facilities to carry out the treatment programme are excellent and the restaurant caters for all the Ayurveda meals meticulously. It has been an amazing experience. I have been made to feel very welcome and I have also met some lovely people.
Response from the owner
Dear Mrs Lee-Wright,<br>thanks for the kind words and the positive comments.<br><br>We´re glad you enjoyed your stay at the hotel and that you appreciated the ayurvedic treatments.<br>We´re ready to w...
Martina Lico
First time giving 5 stars to a place. Staff absolutely friendly and simpathic. Special attention to the chef that treated us great. Food AMAZING. The best spa i was ever in my life. Not crowded. Heaven on earth like some people say here.
Response from the owner
Dear Mrs Lico,<br>thank you for your kind comments!<br>We are glad that you appreciated our structure, staff and cuisine.<br><br>Best regards,<br>Family Kohler and the 50 angels
