High above Merano, where the sensual charm of the Mediterranean meets wild Alpine romance, stands the Castel Fragsburg. Enthroned here since 1624, South Tyrol’s smallest five-star hotel enjoys the most hours of sunshine in the whole country. It is located beneath its very own castle, which can we visited exclusively by the hotel guests. Entwined in wild vines, the Relais & Châteaux Castel Fragsburg is set in an enchanted garden that stretches over 50.000 m² around the Fragsburg. Wisteria, roses and hydrangea bloom all around. Visitors are immediately spellbound by the garden’s many charming corners and by the picturesque courtyard. And though the spa town of Merano, with all its lively culture and conviviality, lies only a stone’s throw away, the Fragsburg remains perfectly secluded. In the midst of the majestic mountain scenery of South Tyrol, it is a place of refuge where simple Alpine comfort complements sensuous Mediterranean flair. A retreat, to rediscover and express your inner source of inspiration. Alexander Ortner is lord of the castle, managing the Fragsburg in the third generation. He aspires to combine pleasure and beauty into truly memorable experiences. A particular philosophy of the fine art of living makes the Fragsburg so extraordinary: namely of enjoying every day in its unique glory, shaping each moment according to your own intuitive rhythm. The Fragsburg has been fashioned with love and devotion into an artful composition of antique furniture, expertly selected designer pieces and a touch of Art Deco. Originally an historical hunting lodge, since the 1950s the castle has gradually and lovingly been brought up-to-date by the Ortner family - showing an impeccable eye for beauty and a heartfelt sense of nostalgia. The 20 suites of the castle hotel, each of them designed meticulously down to the last detail, are confessions to the pure joy of simply lingering. Be it a Junior Suite, a Suite Deluxe or a Suite Royale, each one possesses its own carefully curated character, designed to enchant you with a singular mix of Alpine-Mediterranean charm. Individualists with a taste for the unusual will happen upon a delightful nest at the very top of the tower promising romantic comfort, the Adlerhorst. Every suite at the Fragsburg opens out onto its own terrace or balcony to display a breath-taking vista of the Merano landscape or of the imposing Texel Group. The perfect spot to observe the birds, listen to their song and, to the soft rushing of the leaves in the breeze, enjoy the precious freedom of simply being. In our Michelin starred Gourmet Restaurant Prezioso, we love to amaze and astonish our guests. No matter how many times we step out onto our glass loggia and look out over the parapet of the panorama terrace at the stunning, cinematic views of Merano, we always find something new to marvel at in the ravishingly beautiful natural surroundings. There couldn’t be a more ideal setting for the exquisite dishes prepared by our head chef Egon Heiss. Such as the Fragsburg itself the culinary philosophy is deeply rooted in the South Tyrolean traditions and closely linked with an Alpine and Mediterranean sensuality. In the Restaurant Orangerie you can choose your culinary “pièce de résistance” of the day from the à la carte menu or enjoy five-course meals as part of the half-board package. The sublime cuisine is of course rounded off by impeccable yet affectionate service and the excellent advice of our sommelier when choosing from the fine wines in our cellar. The culinary joy you experience in the glass loggia or on the panoramic terrace of the restaurant, coupled with the truly cinematographic view of the stunning Texel Group mountain range define the unique and unforgettable joie de vivre at the Fragsburg. The potent energy of pure plants and flowers forms the basis for the 1st Alchemistic Healing Spa Castellum Natura, inspired by the ancient medicinal wisdom of herbalist Renate de Mario Gamper. All of the nurturing essences in use here stem from her recipes and are freshly produced using handpicked ingredients in our spa studio. The highlight remains the larch-wood tub for flower baths, set in a panoramic loge. The alchemistic wellness concept also offers wholly individualized treatments. It’s a splendid way to live and to relish being alive on a timeless, precious day at the Fragsburg. It’s the fine art of living.