MOUNTAINS

Pergola Residence

Lagundo - Italy

Fourteen apartment-style suites and penthouses, set into the vineyards above Merano, with broad terraces, kitchens and the Algund Waalweg at the door.

Pet Friendly

Wine Cellar

Pool

Wellness

Hike

In Room Breakfast

THE SETTING

Pergola Residence sits on the hillside above Lagundo — Algund in German — a few minutes from Merano. Vineyards climb behind the building, apple orchards fill the valley below, and the view reaches across the Merano basin towards the surrounding mountains. Architect Matteo Thun completed the residence in 2004. He took the traditional vineyard pergola as the starting point, arranging the building in long, horizontal terraces that follow the land’s gradient. Larch screens, local stone and planted roofs soften the structure, while every apartment faces south through large glass openings.

THE ROOMS

Pergola Residence has 12 suites and two penthouses. The suites follow the same architectural language: South Tyrolean larch, built-in furniture, wooden floors, clean lines and broad glass façades. The interiors are warm and restrained, allowing the vineyards and valley to remain visible from almost everywhere. Even the smallest Superior Suites have a large living and dining room, a separate bedroom and a ground-floor terrace surrounded by vines and garden planting. The Deluxe and Panorama categories sit higher on the slope, opening towards wider views of Merano and the mountains.

The two penthouses occupy the top of the residence. The East Penthouse has one bedroom, 90 m² of indoor space and views towards the valley and eastern mountains. The West Penthouse is the largest apartment, with 110 m², two bedrooms, and a terrace that wraps towards the afternoon sun. A lift runs directly from the underground garage to both.

THE FOOD

Pergola Residence has no restaurant or full breakfast service. Fresh bread rolls and croissants can be delivered each morning for an additional charge, while the apartments include Nespresso and filter coffee machines. The honesty-system Bottega stocks yoghurt, cheese, speck, jams, pasta, sauces and selected South Tyrolean products.

The 16th-century wine cellar focuses on small local wineries alongside Pergola’s own house wine. Karin and Franziska can help with the selection or arrange visits to nearby producers.

For dinner, the team recommends a concise list of farm inns, mountain huts and restaurants around Merano. Booking ahead is advised at weekends and during summer and autumn.

THE STAY

Pergola combines the independence of an apartment with a useful layer of hotel service. Guests can choose each day whether they want the apartment fully cleaned, partially refreshed or left undisturbed.

The original wellness area includes an indoor pool overlooking the vineyards, a Finnish sauna, and a steam bath. A newer wellness wing next door adds an outdoor pool, a panoramic sauna, a relaxation room, and a small gym with a WaterRower and NOHRD equipment. Massages and body treatments can be booked privately, along with yoga, Pilates, or training sessions.

The main lounge serves as the residence’s social centre without becoming busy. There are newspapers, magazines, art and travel books, hiking maps, a piano, and enough space for coffee, cake, or an aperitivo away from the apartment. Underground parking keeps cars out of sight, with charging points for electric vehicles and lockable storage for hiking, cycling, golf or ski equipment. E-bikes can be delivered directly to the property.

AROUND PERGOLA RESIDENCE

The Algund Waalweg passes just above Pergola Residence. Waalwege are old irrigation channels built to carry mountain water across vineyards and orchards; the paths beside them now form some of the easiest and most enjoyable walks around Merano.

The Algund route runs for around five to six kilometres and stays almost level. From the residence, it leads through vines, apple trees and woodland towards the edge of Merano. Continue onto the Tappeiner promenade, and you can reach the city on foot, high above the rooftops and gardens.

Merano is about three kilometres away. Its thermal baths, arcaded shopping streets, riverside walks, cafés and Belle Époque buildings make it easy to combine city time with the quieter hillside setting. The Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle and Kunst Meran are both good reasons to stay beyond a quick afternoon visit.

For higher ground, the old chairlift from Lagundo climbs towards Velloi. From there, a nostalgic open basket lift continues towards Leiter Alm and the slopes of the Texel Group. Walks range from easy mountain-hut routes to longer climbs towards the Muthöfe, Mutspitze and the Spronser Lakes.

This part of South Tyrol is also a serious wine country. Vineyards begin around the residence and continue across the lower slopes, producing Vernatsch, Pinot Bianco, Sauvignon and other local varieties. Visits and tastings can be arranged with both established estates and smaller independent growers.

THE OWNERS

Pergola Residence is now led by Karin Innerhofer, who returned to South Tyrol in 2020 after several years living and working in Paris, London and Singapore. She brings that broader perspective back to a place she knows intimately, keeping the atmosphere personal while giving the residence a fresh, contemporary direction. Franziska joined the team in 2025 after working in hospitality and restaurants in Austria, Mallorca, South Tyrol and Australia. Her knowledge of food and wine is especially useful when guests want restaurant recommendations, cellar visits or introductions to local producers.

Together, they keep the service personal and low-key. They are there to help with walks, restaurants, wineries and the practical details of the stay, while giving guests the privacy that makes Pergola Residence feel more like a home in the vineyards than a conventional hotel.

GOOD TO KNOW

Pergola Residence has 12 suites and two penthouses. There is no on-site restaurant and no full breakfast service. Families are welcome, and several suites include a second bedroom or connecting room.

The Südtirol GuestPass is included, giving free access to public transport across South Tyrol. A bus stop is located directly outside the property, and Merano can also be reached on foot along the Waalweg and Tappeiner promenade.

Rates start at €280 per night for a Superior Suite. Larger suites start at approximately €360–€410, while both penthouses start at around €530 per night.