High above the rooftops of Merano sits a house where an infinity pool meets the convivial spirit of the local Stammtisch. More than a place to stay, it has always been part of the heart of Marling.
Everyone knows Merano. But Marling? The hillside village above the celebrated spa town seems content to remain quietly in the background—observing, yet never looking down. It has a rhythm entirely its own, one that continues well beyond the high season.
Behind it stretch apple orchards, vineyards and the scenic Marling Waalweg. Ahead, the rooftops of Merano unfold, along with its elegant spa heritage and historic racecourse. And in between sits the five-star La Maiena Meran Resort—a place where the tranquillity of village life meets the sophistication of one of South Tyrol’s most iconic destination.
When the son of a local innkeeping family opened a dance hall with bowling alleys in the 1960s, it caused quite a stir in the otherwise tranquil village. The much-loved “Nörder“, as the venue was known, even had its licence revoked for a time. The music was turned down, the dance hall gave way to a traditional wine tavern and restaurant, and a new chapter began. In 1977, the first guest rooms were added, followed by tennis courts, embracing a sport that was enjoying a boom at the time and is now experiencing a fresh surge of popularity, not least thanks to Jannik Sinner.
In 2018, the third generation—Mathias and Evelyn Waldner—took the helm, doing what the best family-run hotels do: evolving without losing sight of their roots.
A new guest wing with rooftop whirlpools rose above the rooftops, while a spa and hair salon opened below—designed as much for hotel guests as for the people of Marling. Rich shades of green, a living moss wall and subtle gold accents reinterpret the colour palette of the original house, bringing it into the present without compromising its character.
A stone staircase leads back to where it all began: the Nörder Bar. Just as the Waldner family and their longtime bartender, Silviu have always envisioned it. While the interiors have evolved over the years, the spirit remains unchanged. This is where people come together, where card games stretch into the evening, and where locals and hotel guests naturally share the same tables.
Order the signature Malena Spritz or the house schnapps crafted from the secret recipe of Franz, the hotel’s longtime caretaker. Officially retired, he still tends the gardens and remains indispensable thanks to the little bottle that has become something of a house legend.
Step by step, La Maiena Meran Resort reveals the many lives this house has lived. Feel the soft carpet beneath your feet and you are walking through the original building from the 1970s. The cosy wood-panelled parlour, added in the 1980s, becomes a favourite retreat in the winter months. And on the way to the restaurant, every guest passes through the oldest part of the property.
At its heart stands a large Stammtisch, its tabletop crafted from the original wood panelling of the former bar—a piece of furniture that has likely witnessed more stories than many of the village’s residents. It is here that wine tastings are held, and where the Waldner family still gathers for breakfast or occasional meetings, keeping the house’s traditions very much alive.
It comes as no surprise that Mathias and Evelyn’s two children are already dreaming up ideas of their own. Their wish for next summer—admittedly not entirely selfless—is a mobile ice cream cart making its rounds by the pool.
It takes a village…
Generation after generation, the house in Marling continues to evolve—not simply as a hotel reaching ever higher, but as a living part of the community. It grows with the Waldner family’s relatives, who contribute the wines from their vineyards. With returning guests who may well have fallen asleep over a plate of spaghetti here as children. With staff whose personalities leave their mark on the house. And with the village itself, which doesn’t stop at the front door but flows right through La Maiena Meran Resort—carrying the easy rhythm of an evening at the Nörder Bar and sending people home with one more story to tell.
photos: www.lamaiena.it I Armin Terzer / TVB Marling / Florian Andergassen
