We visit Engel Ayurpura for a week-long reset programme

Engel Ayurpura is set on the edge of the quaint village of Nova Levante in the Dolomites, around 30 minutes from the town of Bolzano.

The wellness property, which opened in late 2023, is home to a new European take on the centuries-old Indian healing medicine, Ayurveda.

The stunning timber-clad building is a modern interpretation of the traditional style of building seen throughout the region.

The 15-room hotel is the latest venture from the Kohler family, which has been running hotels on the site since 1863.

The existing hotel, Engel Gourmet and Spa, which is next door to Engel Ayurpura, has been offering Ayurvedic treatments for a number of years.

Carmen Kohler, co-owner and wellness concierge, led the development of this new project, which was two years in the making.

Elegant interiors at Engel Ayurpura

Set over six floors, the interiors fuse contemporary design with a range of natural calming shades of beige and taupe accented with blond wooden furniture throughout. Textured rendering and the occasional stone wall creates a sense of place in the mountains.

With a maximum number of guests capped at 30, the hotel and spa always feels spacious, with plenty of room for guests to rest and relax. Guest rooms boast floor-to-ceiling glass with views to the mountains and forest beyond. Beyond these rooms, the team has created numerous spaces to relax.

The Ayura vsta suite has infrared heated relaxation loungers positioned to make the most of commanding views of the Rosengarten mountains in the distance.

Opposite the reception area is a cosy library space and fireplace, the perfect spot to rest, read and gaze at the surrounding hills and mountains.

On the lower ground floor overlooking the pool there is a large indoor relaxation area with large day beds, comfy cushions and blankets. This is an ideal spot for the long winter months.

This floor hosts the Atelier – where guests can catch up on emails in a co working space. Art classes are held once a week, but art supplies are available all week for mindfulness creative sessions with colour.

On the deck outside, sun loungers line one side of the infinity edged pool that looks across the forest.

Just beyond this is the forest sauna, a large multi-person bio sauna by Devines, the Austrian sauna supplier. With floor-to-ceiling glass, it offers the perfect connection to the trees surrounding this outdoor building.

Doctor-led programming

Guests from Italy, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, France and a growing number from the UK join one of the set Ayurvedic programmes. The full panchakarma is the most popular and involves detox and cleansing with ghee.

Also on offer is the Rasayana fountain of youth programme, running for five or seven days – to slow down the ageing process and strengthen the immune system.

Typical programmes last seven to 21 days and are overseen by the in-house Ayurvedic doctors Mishra and Prath.

An initial consultation using pulse diagnosis helps to determine the programme for each person, which is highly specialised and includes a vegetarian-based nutrition plan and healing therapies.

These can include the iconic shirodhara (oil pouring) and abhyangam (detox massage) to head and feet massage to lymphatic drainage therapies.

Base fasting and Buchinger Fasting programmes are also on the menu, drawing from the work of Buchinger Wilhelmi in Germany.

Approaching Ayurveda

The property also offers introductory stays for two and three nights called Approaching Ayurveda (as an introduction to the concept). This doesn’t include a consultation with the onsite doctor.

Days are centered around the Ayurvedic treatments in the therapy centre which boasts 12 treatment rooms. Specially trained therapists conduct the treatments, which typically last around two hours per day.

Beyond this, days are not overly programmed, allowing people to rest and digest in their own time and space. Morning yoga and evening meditation are optional, but well attended.

Throughout the week classes can include an Ayurvedic cooking class, lectures on various topics by the doctors and an art class.

Nutritious Ayurvedic meals

The open-plan kitchen produces some incredible meals that are designed to rest the digestive system, reduce inflammation and nurture the body and mind.

It is often said that food is medicine and at Engel Ayurpura, this is central to the guest stay and something that it excels at.

Chef Mauro Massei has a passion for vegan and vegetarian cooking and runs weekly cooking classes for guests.

Breakfast is based around soothing porridges and stewed fruits. Lunch and dinner showcase seasonal vegetables, presented in ingenious ways that stimulate and surprise the palette without compromising on satiety levels.

Meals can include: Miso and seaweed both; Genovese vegetable soup with pesto; stuffed courgettes with vegetable ragout; oven-baked Hokkaido squash with almond ricotta; soy and fennel tempeh stewed with ginger, turmeric, fennel seeds and sumac; turnip with Alpine labneh and spices; kitchari (a healing soup of grains and legumes); artichoke, pistachio, grapefruit, green cardamon and coriander; pumpkin ghanoush with mango, sesame, sage and orange.

A wellness destination in the Dolomites

Engel Ayurpura has quickly established itself as a must-visit destination for people seeking alternative remedies to health conditions or looking to cleanse, rest and digest.

The property is stunning and the whole collaborative approach of the medical and therapist team works well.

The location affords incredible views and the opportunity to take mountain walks without too much exertion (thanks to the nearby cable cars).

The gentle programming and excellent food ensure that the diet is adhered to and is enjoyable.

Spa suppliers include: Poolshop, Bonaldo, Balneo Spa, Calligaris, Ethimo, Innova, Technogym, Supra, Hotex, Schranz, Tencel.

Read more about the rise of Ayurveda is Europe here

European Spa thanks Sky Alps. The airline flies twice weekly from London Gatwick to Bolzano in Italy.