set the scene
High in the Dolomites of South Tyrol in northern Italy, Ayurpura will open in late 2023 and sit on the edge of Nova Levante, a small secluded 1200m ski and summer sports resort. It’s a stunning setting for this new seven-story, larch-framed, glass-walled Ayurvedic retreat. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the densely forested mountainside and jagged Rosengarten skyline. Almost every space in this orderly, light-filled building has been designed to take full advantage of the ever-changing, rugged mountain views.
All 15 suites and guest rooms are located on the top three floors, while 12 Ayurvedic treatment rooms are located on the lower floors. In between, there is a lounge and reception area with fireplace and small library, a double-height Ayurvedic restaurant opening onto a large terrace, a yoga shala, and studio space for lectures and artistic activities. There is no spa itself. However, the outdoor panoramic sauna with two cabins is located next to the outdoor pool in a dramatic location with dramatic lighting.
What’s the backstory?
Mid 2019th In the century when the first roads across the Dolomites were being built, a local family, the Köhlers, realized that travelers needed a place to break their journey and rest their horses. The hotel, Engel, which the Kohler family opened in 1860 in his Nova his Levante, is still thriving, and the old stables have been replaced by Ayurpura. The driving force is Carmen Kohler. The 55-year-old credits Ayurveda with helping her get closer to 40. In 2008, she underwent a two-week innovative Panchakarma detox in Somatheeram, Kerala, India, and she has been following an Ayurvedic lifestyle ever since.
What is the wellness concept?
Ayurveda, which means “knowledge of life” in Sanskrit, is the world’s oldest formal medical system, originating in India approximately 5,000 years ago. It focuses on diagnosing one’s dominant dosha, or whether one’s energy patterns are Pitta, Vata, Kapha, or a combination of these, and believers can choose the diet that best suits their dosha (primarily vegetarian), exercise habits, and modify daily habits. The treatment program is led by Dr. Vaidya Swami Nath Mishra, author of 15 books on Ayurveda. After Dr. Mishra uses pulse diagnostics to identify a guest’s dosha, meals and treatments are dosha-specific and individually prescribed. Whatever the focus of your stay, there will be a ton of unplanned downtime. Dr. Mishra believes that everyone today is doing too much: flying, staying late at the office, supervising children. Typically, the daily program includes only two of her treatments, scheduled consecutively.
What is the distinctive treatment method?
Classic Ayurvedic treatments like Abhyanga, a full-body oil massage performed in unison by two therapists, and the equally enchanting Shirodhara. This involves slowly and continuously pouring warm oil all over your forehead. Panchakarma detox can be done over a period of 7, 10, 14, or 21 days.
Which therapist should I book with?
Of the 11 therapists, Ilaria and Alicia, Italians in their 20s, most of whom were trained in India, have been working together for two years, giving them plenty of time to perfect their Abhyanga massage. . “I think one day Ayurveda will spread throughout Europe because people are starting to realize that Western medicine doesn’t always work,” says Ilaria.
What’s the difference?
Many spas are overbooked. Here, Dr. Mishra exclaims in his nightly 7:30 pm meditation session: Rilaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa He also recommends drinking warm, boiled water instead of cold water. “I’m good at removing toxins.” Somatheeram’s counselor, Dr. Parth, focuses on mental health. Thankfully, all treatments, classes and talks at this retreat are conducted in English, even though most of the guests are German.
What else does it offer?
There are daily yoga classes at 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., daily meditation at 7:30 p.m., and additional weekly events such as Pilates sessions and cooking classes. There is a very small library and an art room with papers and pastels. The restaurant has “social” tables for those who don’t want to eat alone. Guests can pick up a free local bus pass and explore the mountain trails surrounding the village. “I needed mountaineering shoes, but I probably also needed crampons,” exclaims the sporty German mother of three. After your stay, you can attend a complimentary follow-up session with Dr. Mishra.
where to stay?
Two suites on the 7th floor feature separate bathtubs with mountain views, private saunas, delicious Hastens beds and large L-shaped terraces. There is also a loft on the 7th floor. Equally beautiful and simple, the 12 standard Pula rooms also have a terrace. Hot water bottles are provided, but TVs are only available on request. There is no Wi-Fi in the room.
Eco initiatives
Like the 300 village homes, Ayurpura is heated entirely by wood chips, a waste product from the local wood industry, which is provided free of charge. There are hot water taps on each floor so you can refill your own water bottle or hot water bottle. We are working towards zero single-use plastics in the kitchen. In outdoor pools, salt with enough chlorine added to meet legal regulations is used as an antibacterial agent.
accessibility
The seven floors are connected by an elevator, so there are no steps, and there is plenty of space for wheelchairs in the restaurant and treatment rooms.
Is there anything else you would like to mention?
Local farms supply more than 90% of the fruits, vegetables and cereals used in the mostly vegetarian kitchen. By ensuring they buy everything produced by mostly elderly farmers, the Kohlers hope to encourage their children to stay and maintain their farms rather than disappear into the cities. Chef Claudio Denti cooks without salt or sugar. However, each restaurant table is stocked with sesame salt and locally made Salsa Ariete soy-based sauces, as well as plenty of his deliciously chewy sourdough bread. Lunch is a boxed lunch with soup, salad, lentils and beans, and dinner is the same. At the buffet breakfast, you can eat free-hand yogurts, cereals (muesli, turmeric-colored spelled porridge or oat porridge) and stewed apricots made in the kitchen. Pears, plums, berries.
The last word
It’s a special pleasure to swim in the heated outdoor pool at dusk, when the village lights come on and the pool lights glow turquoise. With no more than 30 guests, this secluded spot surrounded by magnificent nature is a quiet and comfortable place to visit alone. But for the unprepared, the combination of large amounts of free time and limited Wi-Fi (available only in public spaces) can be frustrating. Oddly enough, Dr. Mishra himself works in a windowless exam room.
Five nights in Rayasana at Engel Ayurpura (+39 0471 613 131; ayurpura.hotel-engel.com). Treatments, meals and accommodation costs start from €2,625 per person in Pula Rooms. BA’s Euroflyer service runs from Gatwick to Verona, from where the Retreat takes just under two hours by car.
