Adler : From mountain hostel to Alpine empire

Adler : From mountain hostel to Alpine empire

Monday, 22 July 2024

In 1810, Josef Anton Sanoner acquired an auberge in Ortisei, a picturesque village in the Val Gardena valley, nestled in the heart of the Italian Dolomites. At the time, the region was mainly agricultural and relatively isolated. Recognizing the potential of this spectacular natural setting, Josef saw a unique opportunity and named his guesthouse "Zum Adler," which means "At the Eagle's" in German.

This name is explained by the geographical location of the Dolomites, at the border with Austria, and the presence of a predominantly German-speaking population in the region.

The Dolomites, with their grandiose Alpine landscapes and unique rock formations, offer a breathtaking setting ideal for escape and relaxation. As for the village, it stands out for its rustic charm and accessibility, even though the region is still untouched by the great tourist flows of the time. 

In 1850, 40 years after this acquisition, tourism began to develop, stimulated by growing interest in alpinism and mountain stays. The Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009, attracted not only intrepid mountaineers but also fortunate visitors. The reputation of Val Gardena as a winter sports destination quickly grew. 

During the 20th century, the Dolomites were marked by the turmoil of the world wars, but each period of peace also brought waves of innovation and reconstruction. Despite these challenges, the owners of "Zum Adler" succeeded in transforming the auberge into a renowned hotel, benefiting from the growth of tourism and the development of the rail and road routes in the Alps, which attracted an international clientele. 

In the early 1980s, Josef's great-grandchildren Andreas and Klaus Sanoner undertook a major modernization of the establishment. Recognizing the growing demand for luxury wellness holidays, they transformed the inn into the ADLER Spa Resort DOLOMITI, becoming the first wellness resort in South Tyrol to offer personalized spa programs. 

With the arrival of the new millennium, and inspired by many trips to foreign countries, the Sanoners decided to expand beyond Val Gardena. In 2004, they opened the ADLER Spa Resort THERMAE in the hills of Val d'Orcia, Tuscany. This expansion continued in 2014 with the opening of ADLER Lodge ALPE on the Alpe di Siusi plateau, followed in 2019 by ADLER Lodge RITTEN on the Renon plateau. In 2022, the family realizes another ambition with the launch of ADLER Spa Resort SICILIA, their first coastal resort. 

In 2024, a new opening is also planned with the AKI Family Resort PLOSE in Bressanone, offering an innovative concept dedicated to families while respecting the principles of hospitality for which ADLER is renowned. 

As a result, the ADLER story is one of remarkable transformation, from a simple mountain auberge to an empire that radiates throughout the Italian Alps and beyond. Today, ADLER continues to distinguish itself through excellence in hospitality, combining tradition with anticipation of future needs. 

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