Tranquil, luxurious and holistic to the core. If you’re in need of a dramatic reset (or simply a few days of yoga-filled escapism) it’s time to step away from the coffee mug and let one’s wellness cup runneth over at the Ayurvedic-based Engel Ayurpura in the Dolomites instead
Set within the utterly exquisite Dolomites mountains in Italy, where the fairytale-like nature sprawls so beautifully you’ll consider burning any ticket home in the hotel’s fireplace, there are few places better for a detox delivered with decadence than the newly-opened Engel Ayurpura.
Situated a mere 20km from Bolzano, Engel Ayurpura is located in Nova Levante, an idyllic South Tyrolean village that feels like it belongs within a postcard. The name draws its origins from a trio of meanings – Engel translates as angel, Ayur is an abbreviation of Ayurveda, and the Sanskrit word Pura means house or castle, with an added connotation of purity.
The sister property to the already highly successful family-run Engel Hotel, which started life as a farmhouse and has been operating since 1830, the buildings are so close that they’re actually connected by a gleaming glass hallway.
Although, with an ultra modern design, soothing mountain-inspired interiors and a distinct lack of Michelin-starred cuisine (plus dairy, meat and anything vaguely caffeine-based) that’s where the similarities starkly end.
Engel Ayurpura is contemporary to the core, standing out in the jagged mountain landscape with its honeyed- timber exterior and sleek modern architecture that draws attention for miles around. After sharing a taxi with several other people from the same SkyAlps flight to Bolzano, I hear a synchronised chorus of evoked “Oohs‘ as we pull up towards the entrance, each guest already glued to the windows as we approach the suave property.
Unlike its gourmet-led sibling, Engel Ayurpura steers far away from any principles of gluttony (and gluten) – but that doesn’t mean there’s blandness on offer. Offering a philosophy based on the Ayurvedic wellness principles, which are woven into every aspect of the adults-only hotel, the property is on a mission to help its residents restore, rejuvenate and revive their bodies through its holistic methods.
How It Works
Depending on when a guest arrives and checks-in, every programme begins with an initial private consultation with resident physician Dr. Vaidya Swami Nath Mishra, who until recently was head of the ‘Ananda Ashram’ Ayurveda school in Milan, where he trained Ayurveda therapists.
Highly respected as one of India’s best pulse diagnosticians and a specialist in Panchakarma treatments and Ayur yoga breathing techniques, Dr Mishra’s knowledge and experience (along with owner Carmen Kohler’s own passionate research) provides the basis for Engel Ayurpura’s treatments and packages.
The programmes range from a four-day ‘Approaching Ayurveda’ for those looking to dip a toe into the lifestyle all the way through to a fully-fledged Panchakarma Deluxe. The latter offers 21 days filled with all the detoxing one could possibly desire – including 36 treatments for good measure.
The initial consultation session with Dr Mishra revolves around what’s called a ‘pulse reading’. It effectively involves having the doctor hold two fingers against your wrist for a few moments before he furiously scribbles down notes on his findings and shares his diagnosis (and room for Ayurvedic improvements).
For those not already familiar with the Ayurvedic principles, these centre around a philosophy that the human body is governed by three principle energies, known as doshas.
Referred to as Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, each of the trio are each essential to our physiology in some way – which means there’s no hierarchy to the doshas. Each of them has a very specific set of functional roles to play in the body. When the doshas are out of equilibrium, they can wreak havoc on our health – both physically and mentally.
Engel Ayurpura aims to restore the dosha balance in guests following Dr Mishra’s diagnosis, through a carefully individualised programme of specific nutrition, holistic treatments and various therapies. After all, each person will have a different energy balance, meaning each programme will be tailored to their specific requirements. It has to be said, the Bond-esque chic interiors do a pretty good job of settling the nerves too.
The Treatments
As well as group-based yoga and meditation sessions, guests’ itineraries will include a multitude of different treatments, which all take place within the main spa area. With the option to choose either female or male therapists, the offering includes everything from full body Abhyanga oil massages through to eye-based treatments designed to improve the brightness of one’s optics.
Much like the upstairs restaurant menu, everything’s tailored to individual consultations – as a runner, I receive a foot-based treatment on my first day whilst other guests try massages designed to stimulate their lymphatic systems.
When in Europe, do as the Europeans do. It’s also worth noting that the hotel takes its full-body massages very literally, so don’t expect the same British reservations around the naked body as you might expect at home.
The Room
The boutique property features an exclusive 15 rooms, which are all located on the upper floors with sublime views across the surrounding Dolomites. The hotel rooms, divided into four different categories, match the contemporary exterior – think clean design, modern furnishings and alpine-inspired details that inspire a sense of peaceful calm.
I stay in a PURA room, which features an onomatopoeia-like interior that matches its rejuvenating name. With a studio-like feel, the neutral-toned space cleverly utilises the double bed’s headboard with a juxtaposing bathroom sink on the adjacent side to maximise the space as much as possible.
For those who struggle to pack light, fear not – there’s ample closet room with multiple cupboards and drawers to discover. A powerful walk-in shower and floor-to-ceiling windows add to the ambience, whilst opening the sliding glass door reveals a sheltered outdoor balcony, complete with chairs and warm blankets for snuggling up in the cold and basking in the glorious mountain sunshine.
For those looking to go all out, there’s also the option of booking a Design Suite. Featuring 5m tall ceilings, 30m of space and incredible, jaw-dropping views, the true jewel lies within the walls – in the form of an en-suite sauna.
The Food
The medical Ayurveda team works closely together with the on-site chefs to create a tailored nutrition plan throughout a stay, with all meals served in the beautiful restaurant.
Filled with regional and sustainable produce, expect to inhale soups and broths aplenty – plus many delicious vegetable-based dishes. Breakfast comes somewhat surprisingly in the form of a buffet – which means you can help yourself to as many different porridges, hot fruit compotes and teas as desired – but expect dinner to be considerably more streamline, as its the Ayurvedic way to make this as light as possible.
There might have been a bar of 70% Green & Blacks stashed away in my suitcase (snitches get stitches, remember) but it arrived back in the UK unwrapped and unopened. Once you begin embracing the Engel way of life, it’s easy to forget the occasional hunger pang (especially when you start seeing a shadow of your abs again).
Things to Try
1 A swim in the outdoor infinity pool: Don’t even think about boarding the plane without packing your swimsuit. The heated infinity pool, open at various times throughout the day, is ideal for a dip in both warmer and colder months. Make the most of the atmospheric surroundings and goggle up.
2 A guided tour of nearby Bolzano: Nearby town Bolzano makes an excellent day trip, being filled with art, culture and enough history to have you checking your diary for a return visit. Blending Mediterranean and alpine culture, the toughest part is the temptation – beware of the many fresh pastries that will call your name during a wander here. bolzano-bozen.it/en
3 A session in the sauna: It’s hard to miss the hotel’s lightness philosophy when visiting the incredible outdoor sauna, built for large groups of people with extra towels waiting outside (plus several showers). With floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the incredible natural surroundings, drink in the views whilst sweating it out.
The Wordrobe Verdict
As impressive on the design front as when it comes to the delivery of its authentic Ayurvedic experience, Engel Ayurpura is as easy on the eye as it is on the digestive system.
Tranquil, luxurious and holistic to the core. If you’re in need of a dramatic reset (or simply a few days of yoga-filled escapism) it’s time to step away from the coffee mug and let one’s cup runneth over at Engel Ayurpura in the Dolomites instead.
Make it happen
Cost: The Approaching Ayurveda 4 day programme costs from €840 per person. Double rooms from €230 per person per night.
How: To find out more and make a reservation, please visit ayurpura.hotel-engel.com , phone +39 0471 614 245 or email ayurpura@hotel-engel.com.
Getting there: SkyAlps operate twice-weekly flights from London Stansted – Bolzano until April 14 and then will start operating from/to Gatwick airport from April 17, flights starting from €184 each way. Book via skyalps.com
The ‘Approaching Ayurveda’ programme includes:
- 4 nights with 3 treatment days 4 treatments
- Ayurvedic full board
- Consultation & pulse diagnosis
- Snehana – Ghee intake to dissolve toxins (1 day)
- Virechana – cleansing day
- Treatments according to anamnesis, e.g:
- Abhyanga – Ayurvedic full-body oil massage
- Shirodhara – Oil flow on the forehead in combination with Abhyanga
- 1 Pinda Sweda – Massage with herbal pouches
- Udvartana – Massage with herbal powder
- Yoga and Meditation according to the weekly programme
- Access to the SPA and swimming pool
Words by Sophie Ritchie, editor
