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Our family-run hotel in South Tyrol – ambiance, hospitality and history

The new lightness

There are places you feel from the very first moment.
And there are people who make it possible. Because even the most beautiful place is just a backdrop if it doesn’t touch the right souls. In our family run hotel South Tyrol, nothing is staged – everything is created with heartfelt dedication. Every room has its story, every detail its purpose. Guests arrive as strangers and leave as friends. And they keep coming back, because they know: their place is already waiting.

Family Ziernheld
The Watles characters
The boss and all-rounder of the house
Georg

 … is genuine. Full stop. No frills, no show – just authentic hospitality.
 He says what he thinks. He means what he says. And when he laughs, it comes from the heart.
 Sometimes he’s behind the bar, sometimes he guides you along the most beautiful trails in the mountains. A doer, someone you can rely on. An original, unlike any other. One of those with heart and soul – simply someone you can’t help but like.

The heart and soul of the house
Moni

 … sees what others overlook. She ensures a sense of togetherness and provides the quiet strength that, together with Georg, keeps everything running. The question is not what Moni does, but what she doesn’t do. Hard to say, really. She is the bond that holds everything together. With an eye for detail and an instinct for people, she turns our guests into friends – and your stay into an unforgettable time.

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People with heart
The Watles team
The kitchen crew
A culinary window into the Val Venosta soul

Head chef Michael and his crew never do things by halves: alpine authenticity meets modern culinary culture. The ingredients? Regional, seasonal, and chosen with great care. The result: a culinary firework – honest, down-to-earth, and at the same time refined. With every pinch and every gesture, they bring the taste of home to the plate. Their philosophy: “Good food is an experience.”

The service team
With a sense for harmony between glass and palate

Tanja and Philipp are the soul of our wine cellar. They bring calm, warmth, and expertise to the table. Together with our service team, they create not only filled glasses, but moments that carry meaning. It’s this unique blend of experience, intuition, and dedication that makes service at Watles so distinctive. Because true hospitality is not defined by one grand gesture, but by countless small, genuine ones.
 And that’s exactly what makes our service team so special.

The housekeeping team
Quiet in action – strong in impact

Tidiness is one thing. Warmth, attention to detail, and a sense for what truly matters are another. Dina and the housekeeping team master both. More than freshly made beds and spotless floors, they create havens of comfort where you feel at home straight away. From the very first moment until the last night of your stay – they work behind the scenes, and yet their personal touch is felt everywhere.

The reception team
Managing more than bookings – creating lasting first impressions

At reception, all the threads come together – and Jana keeps them in hand with calmness and an open ear. Her strength? A fascinating mix of organisational talent, numerical flair, and heartfelt attentiveness. Together with her team, she ensures that every arrival feels personal, every check-in runs smoothly, and every farewell is warm and genuine. Her talents extend far beyond planning; she senses what guests need – sometimes even before they know it themselves.

The spa team
Masters of the art of relaxation

In the Spa, the journey begins – back to yourself. Sarah, Thomas, and Rosina are the calm companions along this path. A well-rehearsed team of wellness experts, combining know-how, intuition, and a fine touch to create individually tailored time-outs. Wellness experiences that not only relax, but truly touch. Each treatment is tuned to the individual – mindful, precise, and always delivered with heartfelt care.

From roots to new paths
The birth of hospitality
1972–1977 | Watles awakens

A milestone – the road to Prämajur is built in 1972. Two years later, the ski area of Watles follows, with a double chairlift and a drag lift. Luis and Berta throw themselves into the work, supporting the farm alongside. In 1977, the Gasthof Watles opens with 15 rooms. Their daughter Claudia and Lore help out, while son Georg, at just 15, begins his apprenticeship as a chef at Hotel Greif. He later completes his training at Hotel Palace in Merano and gathers valuable experience in renowned hotels at home and abroad.

1990–2000 | Fresh momentum and new horizons

n 1990, Georg joins the family business and brings with him his passion for cooking. At the same time, he discovers the fascination of cross-country skiing, and together with his brother Fritz Tschamper, creates unforgettable experiences for guests. While Georg dedicates himself to the kitchen, his mother continues to run the hotel with heartfelt commitment, while Luis remains faithful to farming and his role as a ski instructor.

In 1991, Monika – Georg’s later wife, born in Prämajur – joins the family and soon becomes indispensable. At that time, the inn was small, familiar, and everyone worked together. Large platters were placed on the tables, from which guests served themselves, and dinner was punctual at half past seven – otherwise Oma Berta would give you a stern look.

1998 marked the birth of Philipp, the next generation. Many memories from that time are still vivid: the legendary phone booth, where guests would line up after dinner to call home; and the little TV sets, brought to rooms on request. In 2000, Georg took over the business and added an extension with new rooms and a reception. The 2-star inn became a charming 3-star hotel – thanks in no small part to the tireless support of receptionist Simone.

2004–2009 | Highlights and heartfelt milestones

In 2004, the Spa area was created with alpine sauna, relaxation lounge, steam bath, and a striking marble fountain. In 2005, another milestone: daughter Lea was born, and Georg decided to end his career as a competitive ski mountaineer to dedicate himself fully to his Val Venosta home. In 2007, Tobias was born – the youngest of the family.

2006 brought further growth: the Watleshof in Taufers im Münstertal with six rooms, a spacious garage, and a biomass heating plant supplying the hotel with eco-friendly warmth.

In 2009, yet another milestone: the panoramic swimming pool and an underground garage with 20 spaces. Georg brought his love of collecting into the hotel: antique typewriters and scales, an apothecary’s cabinet, and other rarities found their place, adding a unique touch – always with a passion for history.

2014–2023 | Steady growth and change

In 2014, a new underground garage with 30 spaces was built – a major project that also created space for a small museum and additional high-quality hotel suites. One year later, the ski lift was relocated and the hotel’s own lift entrance was redesigned.

2017 saw the completion of the panoramic infinity pool and lounge, while the Spa area was expanded with modern relaxation rooms. Despite the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic in 2019, the Watles family remained confident and invested further in the future.

In 2020, the rooms were modernised, and in 2023, the new wine cellar with its tasting lounge was added, in which Philipp won his first sommelier trophy. In 2021, the dining room was completely redesigned – another chapter in the steady evolution of the house.

2024 and beyond: Hospitality as conviction

Today, Panoramahotel Watles is a 4-star family run hotel, known for heartfelt hospitality and exceptional service. A place where tradition meets modern comfort and relaxation, where every guest feels part of the family – from the very first moment.

Guest voices

The hotel, run with the active involvement of the Ziernheld family, is a prime example of what makes the difference compared to simply “getting the job done.” Here, everything revolves around the well-being of the guest. It’s no wonder that with such genuine goodwill, guests return again and again. The hotel in the small village of Prämajur is highly recommendable. Hospitality can also be felt at the ski rental, the ski school, and at the alpine huts Plantapatsch and Höferalm. This is the opposite of pretentious – here, hospitality is truly lived.

Franz (Google)
Cross-links to
key highlights
Panorama with wow-factor
Panorama around the clock – a view at every moment.
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Sustainability that inspires
In harmony with people and nature – a holiday you can feel good about.
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Sleep like on a cloud
The view is the most beautiful wallpaper in our rooms & suites.
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Hiking adventures in Val Venosta
Step by step: so much to see, even more to experience.
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Ski hotel directly on the slopes
Ski-in & ski-out:
Your skiing adventure starts here.
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Recharge
Pool, sauna & Spa – the perfect combination for body and mind.
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Family time in Val Venosta
Family holidays at Watles? Here are six great reasons!
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Your hotel with indoor pool
Relax, dive in, float – our indoor pool.
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Best price guarantee
A time-out in Val Venosta
Quick enquiry

Where freedom feels greater than the horizon,
every moment turns into something special.

Prämajur 49
I-39024 . Malles . South Tyrol
Contact:
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